Welcome to our Coastal Cottage Kitchen reveal. After months of planning and a nine-month renovation, we’re excited to share the refreshed kitchen and dining area — a cozy, light-filled space that feels like home.
Two years ago we moved into a small coastal cottage on an island in Washington. It felt like the perfect forever home for us as empty nesters: charming, just the right size, and within walking distance of the beach.
During the renovation we added a tiny cottage at the back of the property for my parents and reworked the 750-square-foot main floor to better suit our lifestyle. As part of the redesign we relocated the kitchen into the former dining room. That simple swap created a far more functional layout, increased cabinetry and counter space, brought in more natural light, and improved traffic flow between the main living spaces.
Below you’ll find after photos along with a few before images so you can see the transformation. This is part one of the reveal; I’ll share more details, sources, and close-ups in future posts. A full source list follows at the end.
Watch a short video of the kitchen, then scroll for photos and details.
We kept the house footprint the same and worked within the existing walls. The new French doors to the deck replaced two windows and added daylight through the transom and sidelights, dramatically brightening the back of the house. A side window that was originally in the dining room remained in place and now sits above continuous counters.
We raised the low headers between rooms and slightly widened the openings to improve sight lines and the flow of light while keeping a sense of separation and coziness. Removing two bulky peninsulas (necessary in the prior layout) opened up circulation and gave all three rooms — kitchen, dining nook and living room — more usable space without increasing square footage.
Our family is growing — three adult children, a grandchild on the way, and extended family nearby — so we prioritized creating gathering space and storage. The new layout makes holidays and casual get-togethers simple and comfortable while remaining cozy for everyday life.
We were delighted to discover water views from the dining and living room windows — visible even from the kitchen sink and island. Positioning the sink where it captures these views makes dishwashing more enjoyable and keeps the cooking area connected to guests gathered at the island or dining nook. A small cubby for a stool at the island encourages conversation.
Because the main floor is compact and open, every wall was planned to be both pretty and practical. Appliances are mostly integrated behind cabinetry panels so they don’t dominate the view; the range remains a focal piece that reveals itself as you approach the kitchen rather than shouting from across the room.
Without space for a traditional buffet or china cabinet, we added a custom plate rack, display shelves and glass-front cabinets to combine storage and display. We also tucked small book nooks into the leftover space once the windows were relocated.
The dining bench currently wears a temporary no-sew cushion we made ourselves; it’s comfortable and practical and will be replaced with an upholstered cushion next year. I’ll share a how-to for the DIY cushion in a later post.
We maximized storage wherever possible while keeping sight lines clean from the front entry. Two glass cabinets flanking a window present an attractive view without revealing daily kitchen clutter. Long, unobstructed counters provide buffet space and room for helpers to join meal prep outside the primary cooking triangle.
The dining nook seats the same number of people as our previous dining room but leaves more floor space for easy movement, coffee station access, and the option to add a second table when needed.
The rooms now connect seamlessly, so guests and family can circulate easily. Furniture can be rearranged to create intimate conversation areas as needed.
The kitchen works beautifully for multiple people at once. There’s room to cook, wash, and prepare without crowding, and ample counter space makes holiday buffets and potlucks easy to manage.
We selected honed Carrara marble for the perimeter counters and honed soapstone for the island. We left the soapstone un-oiled to highlight its blue-green hue. Both surfaces are beautiful and practical; I’ll provide more details about them in a future post.
Our dog Jack (and Lily) are happy to have the house whole again.
The faucet was the first item I purchased for this kitchen — a style I loved in our previous English Tudor home. I sourced mine through a specialty supplier, but similar versions are available from other retailers.
A small cubby with a toile cafe curtain creates a cozy breakfast spot with a backyard view. The curtain is easy to slide open and can be changed seasonally for a fresh look.
Cookbook shelves and inset cabinetry nod to the English Tudor kitchen I loved, carrying through familiar details like baseboard molding and beadboard walls. We also installed new European white oak flooring throughout to replace older carpet upstairs; it lends a light, beachy feeling to the whole house.
We treated the kitchen and dining areas as one coordinated space to make the most of every wall and keep the design cohesive from every angle.
The result is a home that still feels cozy but functions much better. The built-in cabinetry in the dining area houses our coffee station and pantry; the sliding doors let us show the setup during gatherings or conceal it for a cleaner look.
The French doors open to newly constructed decks, gates and garden areas added with the renovation. I’m looking forward to sharing a backyard tour once the landscaping fills in this season.
The windows that were once above the kitchen sink now brighten the dining area, turning a previously dark corner into a sunny spot with views of trees, garden plantings, and a glimpse of water to the side. The bench offers both seating and generous storage in drawers beneath.
I’ll be sharing more posts that go deeper into organization, materials, and how we built certain details. For now, thank you for joining this first look at our coastal cottage kitchen — we’re thrilled with how it turned out and can’t wait to share more.
COASTAL COTTAGE KITCHEN SOURCES:
Blue range stove (30-inch in Blue Gray/Grey), rattan tray, blue plate on wall (similar), gold picture frame, heron art print, marble tray, amber votive holder with battery votives, jadeite cake plate, kitchen hardware, rattan serving cart and accessories, brass pendant light, blue and white toile curtain, rattan and white stool under island, blue and white rattan bar stools (similar options), ship art by Mary Maguire, bamboo blinds on French doors, farmhouse sink, nickel faucet (similar), washable rugs, toaster, hot water kettle, copper kettle, marble trays, stoneware utensil crock, scalloped rattan tray, cookbooks, striped towel, wood board, blue and white pot, cabinet and wall paint: Classic Light Buff (Sherwin-Williams), countertops: soapstone island and Carrara marble perimeter, European white oak flooring, tongue-and-groove beadboard walls and V-groove ceiling.
DINING NOOK SOURCES:
Patterned rug (ocean/gold), blue striped slipcovers, Parsons dining chairs, rattan dining chairs (similar), jute-wrapped chandelier with shades, reversible throw used for bench cushion, blue and white striped table runner, centerpiece details, rust-colored battery-operated taper candles, favorite design books, V-groove ceiling.
LIVING ROOM SOURCES:
Leather sofa armchair version, blue plaid throw, jute + cotton rug with rug pad, wicker trunk, brass wall sconce with patterned lampshade, striped pillow cover, wall paint: Beach Glass (Benjamin Moore), trim paint: Classic Light Buff (Sherwin-Williams).
- Before/after kitchen floor plans and renovation overview
- More posts about the kitchen remodel and the tiny cottage addition
- A peek at kitchen organization (more to come)
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