Now that our English-inspired cottage kitchen is finished, we’re ready to begin the merry Christmas festivities and make new memories. This will be our first family Christmas in this home, and as we prepare for celebrations, I want to share a bit of the kitchen’s story that many of you may not know.
The design of this space carries details inspired by the kitchen in the English Tudor house where our family last lived together. Our final Christmas in that home was in 2008, just days before we moved away in a terrible snowstorm on January 1 to begin a new chapter.
That time still makes me emotional. Seasons change, and life moves on. I’ve written much of that story on the blog over the years, so I won’t repeat it all here.
If you’ve followed along for a long time, you might remember our English Tudor home from when the blog began back in 2007. After that chapter, our family’s path changed: my husband and I and our son moved to Washington state, while our daughters later moved to Seattle to be closer to him and build their own lives.
Our oldest daughter Kylee and her husband Lance have returned to the Oregon area where we once lived, and I still tear up thinking about the sacrifices our children and son-in-law made to be near family during that season. It was bittersweet, but we were blessed to remain close despite the distance. Each home we’ve had since became a backdrop for family gatherings and new memories.
Fast forward through many changes, challenges, travels, books, blogging and blessings, including two more moves over the past decade…
We are empty nesters now, settling into our cottage by the sea where we moved two years ago.
When we invited my parents to move here, we weren’t sure how all of us would fit in a smaller house on a modest lot. We trusted the decision and believed we’d make it work — and we did. Last year we completed a meaningful renovation and a small addition to improve the floor plan. The home is now comfortable for our family to enjoy island life and the everyday comforts of home. I’ll share more about my parents’ Tiny Cottage soon.
All of this brings me back to the inspiration behind our new kitchen. I originally designed the kitchen in our Portland English Tudor around existing elements and a tight budget. It was a difficult space at first — once infested and in poor condition — but I salvaged what I could and turned it into a warm, English-inspired family kitchen that became the heart of that home and the setting for countless gatherings.
I’ve renovated two other kitchens since, each with elements I loved, but none captured the particular English-inspired feeling of that Tudor kitchen.
When it came time to design this kitchen, many directions felt right. In the end I chose to blend my love for English-inspired details with features suited to our coastal cottage. The result evokes the Tudor warmth while honoring this home’s seaside character.
Leaving our hometown and that Tudor house was difficult, but creating this new English-inspired kitchen brings back a piece of that special season and the feelings I associate with it.
We didn’t replicate every detail from the Tudor kitchen, but we recreated the overall warmth and character. Seeing our creamy white cabinets, the bin pulls on drawers, soapstone countertops, tongue-and-groove paneling, the nickel faucet above the white sink, the cozy stove alcove, brackets under the glass cabinets, open shelving, the center island and bookcases, and the small spot for the kitchen stool — all of these elements remind me of home.
Of course, life is different now. We don’t have children living here day to day, but our family is healthy and building their lives, and we’re excited to welcome our first grandbaby.
Seasons change and homes change, but the love of family remains constant.
In a week our three children and two son-in-laws will come home. It won’t be the same English Tudor kitchen where we last lived together, but it will be this new, inspired kitchen we created for family. In our cottage by the sea we are grateful for the gatherings to come, for new Christmas memories, and for the old ones we’ll always cherish. Our heart is here. This is home now.
I’ll be back to share more of our Christmas home and the Tiny Cottage soon.
