A Makeover Adds Adorable Charm Back to This Too-Modern, Plain Kitchen

When Kirsty Tallowin (@stayinginstudio), the founder of Staying In Studio, moved into her 1940s home in Norfolk, United Kingdom, there had been three previous owners. Throughout the years, the previous residents had made updates to the home, including a 2018 kitchen renovation. Unfortunately, though, that renovation wasn’t the best fit for Kirsty’s family. 

For starters, it was too small for Kirsty’s family of four (plus three pets!), and it wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing room to her, either; she found it overly plain and modern. She wanted to give the kitchen a vintage feel while incorporating character and texture and creating more space. 

With the help of builders, the space was expanded by opening up the kitchen to the living room. (The builders blocked off the chimney and fireplace.) Next, all of the existing cabinetry was removed, and the floors were leveled. (The latter was a DIY project.)

Once the construction was completed, it was time to add color and warmth to the new room.

“I’ve always had a love for anything old-fashioned,” Kirsty says. “We furnished our space with antique pieces, including an inherited wooden display cabinet and a vintage wall unit I found on Facebook Marketplace.”

“I also discovered a beautiful wallpaper that reminded me of a book I adored as a child — the inside cover was illustrated with cottages and open fields,” Kirsty adds. “To complement it, I chose wall panelling in a soft buttermilk shade and laid terracotta floor tiles to bring in some warmth and rustic charm.” The buttery yellow paint for the wall paneling is Farrow & Ball’s Hay.

In her Apartment Therapy House Tour, Kirsty said that she loves “pattern clashing,” and you can see that in the kitchen. Beyond the colors, there are so many warm textures, like the curtains made from bedding, bobbin frames, and mismatched patterned mugs lining the shelves. 

It took five months and over $13,000 (£10,000) to complete the new kitchen and add a utility room. Kirsty’s favorite features are the wallpaper and the ceramics (from U.K. shop Pantry Pots) displayed on the walls. To see more of this wonderful home, visit the full house tour on Apartment Therapy here. 

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: Before & After: A Plain Modern Kitchen Gets a Spacious, “Vintage” Makeover (with So Much Color!!)