Stone Cottage Kitchen Floors

Posted on | April 20, 2010 | 22 Comments

Recently I’ve been really inspired by English cottages. Their unfussy charm is great inspiration for my renovation. The other night I came across these beautiful kitchens on UK site Border Oak featuring stone floors. The floors in my someday kitchen are not wide plank like the rest of the house but wood floors from the 1950’s. Do I keep the floors, paint them, or rip them out and put in something different? Merry from Border Oak was sweet enough to send over a few inspiration photos as well as some suggestions.

Popular stone options for floors are limestone, travertine, or natural slate. Merry also suggested reconstituted concrete ‘flagstone’ made in molds of original flagstone but out of a new mixed concrete formulation to give the appearance of traditional old flagstones (easier to lay, to actually find and cheaper). Try Classical Flagstones in the UK for more information.

I do have some hesitation about using stone in my kitchen. I hear from stateside friends that stone can be killer on a cook’s back. The other issue is weight. The beams below my kitchen need to be replaced but if I use a stone I assume they will be need to be additionally reinforced? If I choose stone I should probably use under floor radiant heat? Hmm a lot to think about. Above and below a few photos from Border Oak’s website.

stone floors in kitchen 01 Stone Cottage Kitchen Floors

Ash House 45 Stone Cottage Kitchen Floors

stone floors in kitchen 02 Stone Cottage Kitchen Floors

Category: interiors, kitchen

Dreaming of a Fancy Girl Kitchen

Posted on | March 30, 2010 | 22 Comments

I met with an architect this morning. Greg wasn’t able to make the meeting because he had an unexpected meeting in Boston. I was on my own trying to field questions about heating and insulation—normally Greg’s area of expertise. I think overall I sounded kinda like I knew what I was talking about—actually I probably sounded like an idiot—did Greg say we wanted radiant or wanted to keep the forced hot air? I can’t wait to move forward with the project and hopefully get a real plan to work with.

I of course forgot all about leaky roofs, heating, insulation, and important things I should be researching so I don’t sound like such an idiot in our next meeting. Instead my mind wandered to my someday kitchen. I really can’t believe that someday I will have a real kitchen that I can cook in. Neighbors could come over for afternoon tea and cookies at my kitchen table. I could host Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner without apologizing for the mess or lack of seating. How lucky would I be? Above and below more photos from my ‘kitchen’ inspiration folder.

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Image Credits: 1-2 plain english kitchens, 3 unknown, 4 domino, 5 new york times, 6-7 domino, 8 plain english kitchens, 9 unknown.

Category: interiors, kitchen

Country English Kitchen

Posted on | November 3, 2009 | 6 Comments

I love simple kitchens in soft earthy shades. An English kitchen is utilitarian but remains homey with interjections of antique tables and objects. Exposed beams and butcher block counter tops further warm up the space. Below built in cabinets line a wall next to a large kitchen table. A work surface can be added or removed based on your needs. The open storage below the cabinet allows for storage and easy clean up. Check out more of the home on lightlocations.com.

country kitchen built in cabinets Country English Kitchen

Category: interiors, kitchen

Plain English Kitchens

Posted on | June 25, 2009 | 9 Comments

I love a simple kitchen in creamy whites and grays. To me a kitchen should be utilitarian. I love walking into a airy kitchen that is organized and clean. I would take any of these dream kitchens designed by Plain English Cupboardmakers. Totally gorgeous and perfect.

Category: interiors, kitchen

Leather Drawer Pulls from Turnstyle Designs

Posted on | March 2, 2009 | 1 Comment

Gorgeous leather drawer pulls, knobs, and handles from Turnstyle Designs in England. The leather has a great equestrian feel. I would love these on my kitchen drawers or even on a dresser. Click over to Turnstyle’s website to check out many more variations and color options. (Thanks Lizzie for the tip!)

p.s. see more leather drawer pulls by clicking here.