Seattle Kitchen Gains Timeless English Cottage Charm
Natural finishes, architectural details and a smart new layout restore the spirit of a 1940s bungalow
After purchasing a classic 1940s bungalow stripped of its original charm, these Seattle parents of two young boys turned to interior designer Jessica Nelson to restore it. Their goal was to reintroduce character through architectural details while keeping the home modest and family-friendly. The warm, cozy interiors were inspired by the front porch entrance’s custom white-painted wood lattice trellis structure, joined at the top in an arch and with jasmine vines beginning to grow.
One of the primary objectives was establishing a kitchen that could transition effortlessly from busy school mornings to intimate dinner parties. At just 90 square feet, the original galley kitchen was cramped and inefficient. Nelson reimagined the floor plan, converting that space into a butler’s pantry and moving the kitchen to the back of the house to capture views of evergreen trees, Lake Washington and Husky Stadium.
One of the primary objectives was establishing a kitchen that could transition effortlessly from busy school mornings to intimate dinner parties. At just 90 square feet, the original galley kitchen was cramped and inefficient. Nelson reimagined the floor plan, converting that space into a butler’s pantry and moving the kitchen to the back of the house to capture views of evergreen trees, Lake Washington and Husky Stadium.
Having collaborated with these clients twice before, Nelson understood their aesthetic. This time, they wanted to draw inspiration from English design to create an inviting and cozy feel. “We leaned into the cottage feel and made sure the materials were warm and natural,” Nelson says. The design centers on a palette of marble, white oak and unlacquered brass.
With its soft gray-green base (Benjamin Moore’s Oilcloth) topped with a warm white oak butcher block, the island stands out and anchors the room. To keep the counters clear, Nelson flanked the range with countertop cabinets that house small appliances. These cabinets have retractable doors and built-in outlets.
Light fixture: O’Lampia; stools: CB2
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With its soft gray-green base (Benjamin Moore’s Oilcloth) topped with a warm white oak butcher block, the island stands out and anchors the room. To keep the counters clear, Nelson flanked the range with countertop cabinets that house small appliances. These cabinets have retractable doors and built-in outlets.
Light fixture: O’Lampia; stools: CB2
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Before Photo
Photo by Ruhl Real Estate
Before: Once the family room, this space is now the kitchen. A prior renovation had stripped the 1940s home of its original moldings and millwork, but the thick walls created alcoves for the large picture windows.
Before: Once the family room, this space is now the kitchen. A prior renovation had stripped the 1940s home of its original moldings and millwork, but the thick walls created alcoves for the large picture windows.
After: Nelson took full advantage of the existing alcoves, housing the sink, dishwasher and trash pullout in one. The range wall mirrors this depth with cabinetry and arched millwork.
Around the kitchen perimeter, the countertops, range backsplash and integrated apron-front sink are Calacatta marble, while the tiles are handmade. The backsplash extends up the walls next to the window, reflecting light with its uneven surfaces. “These natural finishes get better with time and add a lived-in tactile layer to the design,” Nelson says. “This is especially important when you’re renovating an older home and want to honor its history.”
Tile: Weathered White, Clé; brass flush-mount lights: Etsy; faucet: Newport Brass
Around the kitchen perimeter, the countertops, range backsplash and integrated apron-front sink are Calacatta marble, while the tiles are handmade. The backsplash extends up the walls next to the window, reflecting light with its uneven surfaces. “These natural finishes get better with time and add a lived-in tactile layer to the design,” Nelson says. “This is especially important when you’re renovating an older home and want to honor its history.”
Tile: Weathered White, Clé; brass flush-mount lights: Etsy; faucet: Newport Brass
Nelson transformed the existing bench into a banquette for the kitchen’s eat-in area. The throw pillows reflect the colors of the evergreen trees outside. Wicker chairs add a layer of organic texture, reinforcing the cottage-inspired materials found throughout the home.
48-inch Corta round dining table: RH
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48-inch Corta round dining table: RH
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All the cabinetry is inset, and its Shaker style and unlacquered brass hardware suit the home’s age. Ilve’s 48-inch Nostalgie range has vintage style, and its color and brass hardware blend seamlessly with the cabinetry.
Finishes in the butler’s pantry complement those found in the kitchen. The flooring shifts from hardwood to a Carrara and Bardiglio gray marble diamond-patterned tile, paired with white oak cabinetry. A brass faucet, tongue-and-groove paneling and marble countertops elevate the utilitarian space.
Cabinet hardware: Rejuvenation
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Finishes in the butler’s pantry complement those found in the kitchen. The flooring shifts from hardwood to a Carrara and Bardiglio gray marble diamond-patterned tile, paired with white oak cabinetry. A brass faucet, tongue-and-groove paneling and marble countertops elevate the utilitarian space.
Cabinet hardware: Rejuvenation
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Placing the fridge and freezer (left) in the butler’s pantry preserves the kitchen’s symmetry, and they’re just steps away from the cooking zone. The butler’s pantry also has additional storage, prep space, a sink, a beverage fridge and a second dishwasher.
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When entertaining, the couple use this space to mix cocktails and pour wine. Brass rails along the open shelves secure glassware, while dirty dishes can be tucked out of sight during dinner parties.
The butler’s pantry has a second entry off the dining room. “We wanted it to feel like a pass-through where you can hide all the hosting supplies but also keep a nice flow,” Nelson says. A pair of custom French doors on saloon hinges allow hands-free movement between rooms.
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The French doors are centered along a wall of cabinets that extend the arch motif into this room, and integrated lighting highlights the displayed items. Nelson also carried the Calacatta marble into this space, topping the base cabinetry.
Nelson introduced soft, arched openings throughout the home to add architectural character and ease transitions between rooms.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Seattle
Size: 134 square feet (12 square meters) plus a 90-square-foot (8.4-square-meter) butler’s pantry
Designer: Jessica Nelson Design
To take advantage of the views, Nelson placed the new kitchen where the family room had been. “We designed the kitchen to be large and open for hosting guests or helping kids with homework at the kitchen island,” she says, “while dirty dishes and bulk item storage could be tucked away in the butler’s pantry.”
A large island centered on the arched range alcove creates a sense of calm symmetry. The kitchen sink sits in front of a large new window, with the butler’s pantry to the right.
Wall, cabinet and trim color: Natural Cream, Benjamin Moore
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