It is sometimes a surprise what beauty can lurk under the surface of a room. A client with a 1970s kitchen and eat-in area cut up by an unwieldy peninsula was desperate for it to reflect her love of all things English-and-French-Manor-Home. Working closely with my client, we removed the peninsula in favor of a lovely free-standing island that we painted a shade of French Blue. This is topped with Old World sink hardware (note the ceramic HOT and COLD medallions on the faucets!) and a gorgeous marble counter with a very special edge profile that evokes an antique French Boulangerie counter from the 1910s. Pendants with patinaed metal shades over the island further the charming Old World feel. Handmade white and blue tiles laid in a quilted diamond pattern cover the backsplash, and the remainder of the cabinetry at the perimeter is in a warm cream tone. The eat-in near the fireplace got a cozy treatment with custom seat cushions and window seat bench cushions in a classic blue-and-white Toile de Jouy matching the island stools. The nearby living room got a similar treatment. We removed dark wood paneling and dark carpeting in favor of a light sky blue wall and lighter wood flooring. A new rug with the appearance of an heirloom, a new grand-scaled sofa, and some of my client’s precious antiques helped take the room from 70s rec room to English Sitting Room. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

Example of a country kitchen design in Atlanta

Cottage kitchen photo in Atlanta

Inspiration for a farmhouse kitchen remodel in Atlanta

Example of a cottage kitchen design in Atlanta

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Atlanta

This view perfectly illustrates the seamless architectural flow of this whole-home remodel, connecting the high-energy Modern English Country kitchen to the incredibly organized mudroom drop zone. Looking through the cased opening, you see the brilliant juxtaposition of the kitchen’s navy blue cabinetry and white quartz surfaces against the mudroom’s warm wood built-ins and teal hexagon tile floor. It’s a transition that highlights how a 100-year-old home can be opened up for modern functionality while maintaining distinct "zones" with personality.

This sprawling estate is reminiscent of a traditional manor set in the English countryside. The limestone and slate exterior gives way to refined interiors featuring reclaimed oak floors, plaster walls and reclaimed timbers.

This meticulously crafted country kitchen has custom wood cabinetry, and an ample island illuminated by silver pendant lights.
Example of a large ornate l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Milwaukee with marble countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, raised-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Old World European, Country Cottage. Three separate cottages make up this secluded village over looking a private lake in an old German, English, and French stone villa style. Hand scraped arched trusses, wide width random walnut plank flooring, distressed dark stained raised panel cabinetry, and hand carved moldings make these traditional buildings look like they have been here for 100s of years. Newly built of old materials, and old traditional building methods, including arched planked doors, leathered stone counter tops, stone entry, wrought iron straps, and metal beam straps. The Lake House is the first, a Tudor style cottage with a slate roof, 2 bedrooms, view filled living room open to the dining area, all overlooking the lake. European fantasy cottage with hand hewn beams, exposed curved trusses and scraped walnut floors, carved moldings, steel straps, wrought iron lighting and real stone arched fireplace. Dining area next to kitchen in the English Country Cottage. Handscraped walnut random width floors, curved exposed trusses. Wrought iron hardware. The Carriage Home fills in when the kids come home to visit, and holds the garage for the whole idyllic village. This cottage features 2 bedrooms with on suite baths, a large open kitchen, and an warm, comfortable and inviting great room. All overlooking the lake. The third structure is the Wheel House, running a real wonderful old water wheel, and features a private suite upstairs, and a work space downstairs. All homes are slightly different in materials and color, including a few with old terra cotta roofing. Project Location: Ojai, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu and Calabasas, across the tri-county area of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills. Christopher Painter, contractor

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Burlington with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

The wooden panels cover the refrigerator giving the kitchen a traditional English farm house feel. Photography: Angle Eye Photography
Kitchen - huge country l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This charming blue English country kitchen features a Shaw's farmhouse sink, brushed bronze hardware, and honed and brushed limestone countertops. Kyle Norton Photography

Example of a classic kitchen design in Seattle

The wooden panels cover the refrigerator giving the kitchen a traditional English farm house feel. Photography: Angle Eye Photography
Huge country l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

COld World European, Country Cottage. Three separate cottages make up this secluded village over looking a private lake in an old German, English, and French stone villa style. Hand scraped arched trusses, wide width random walnut plank flooring, distressed dark stained raised panel cabinetry, and hand carved moldings make these traditional buildings look like they have been here for 100s of years. Newly built of old materials, and old traditional building methods, including arched planked doors, leathered stone counter tops, stone entry, wrought iron straps, and metal beam straps. The Lake House is the first, a Tudor style cottage with a slate roof, 2 bedrooms, view filled living room open to the dining area, all overlooking the lake. European fantasy cottage with hand hewn beams, exposed curved trusses and scraped walnut floors, carved moldings, steel straps, wrought iron lighting and real stone arched fireplace. Dining area next to kitchen in the English Country Cottage. Handscraped walnut random width floors, curved exposed trusses. Wrought iron hardware. The Carriage Home fills in when the kids come home to visit, and holds the garage for the whole idyllic village. This cottage features 2 bedrooms with on suite baths, a large open kitchen, and an warm, comfortable and inviting great room. All overlooking the lake. The third structure is the Wheel House, running a real wonderful old water wheel, and features a private suite upstairs, and a work space downstairs. All homes are slightly different in materials and color, including a few with old terra cotta roofing. Project Location: Ojai, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu and Calabasas, across the tri-county area of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills. Christopher Painter, contractor

This sprawling estate is reminiscent of a traditional manor set in the English countryside. The limestone and slate exterior gives way to refined interiors featuring reclaimed oak floors, plaster walls and reclaimed timbers.

Explore this beautifully designed rustic kitchen featuring exposed wooden beams, mint green cabinets, and a spacious kitchen island. The warm tones and brass hardware add a cozy yet elegant touch to the space.

This house is firmly planted in the Shenandoah Valley, while its inspiration is tied to the owner’s British ancestry and fondness for English country houses. The main level of the house is organized with the living room and the kitchen / dining spaces flanking a center hall and an open staircase (which is open up to the attic level). On the attic level, a roof deck embraces expansive views of the property and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the southeast.