This Coastal Cottage Kitchen Shows How to Create a Characterful Space Without Going Overboard
It's a lesson in authenticity through unexpected red, freestanding furniture, and collected decor
It's one thing to renovate a dated property, but it's something else entirely to bring a derelict cottage back to life. But there's also something incredibly rewarding about rebuilding a lost piece of history, saving it from complete ruin and destruction.
For our Next in Design 2025 winner Tess MacGeachy, Founder of Amber Yard, it was a task she was ready to take on in this once-crumbling cottage on the Scottish coast. When the time came to reimagine the interiors, she had to navigate around compact proportions, most noticeably in the small cottage kitchen.
But with thoughtful layout changes, timeless design details, and a reimagined story of who might have once called it home, she has created a charming cooking space that feels authentically coastal and as though it's always belonged.
Embrace a One-Wall Layout in an Open Plan Kitchen
By choosing a one-wall layout, Tess has created a functional work area without overcrowding the space.
A small kitchen usually comes with a few layout challenges. In this project, creating a better flow required a complete reconfiguration, transforming it from a tiny, tucked-away room to a bright, open-plan one. 'The space was really tight, but the spatial planning did not work. The kitchen had previously been at the far end of the property, tucked in its own separate room where a gorgeous view of rolling hills stood,' Tess explains.
Internal walls were knocked down, and the living room and kitchen locations were swapped, creating a more dynamic flow around the cooking space, and allowing the living area to benefit from the picturesque views once hidden behind kitchen walls. 'It is a holiday rental home, so a bigger kitchen was not needed. Being open-plan also meant that whoever is in charge of the cooking does not feel left out socially.'
Add Antique Storage For a Collected Design
With a mic of open and closed storage, the antique cabinet doubles as a place to display collected ceramics, adding more personality to the design.
A small space requires a more thoughtful approach to kitchen storage. Too many built-ins can make the room feel smaller and claustrophobic, so Tess chose a freestanding antique cabinet, which adds closed storage while introducing a more characterful detail. It's a functional element, but one that becomes a standout feature within the design.
'We needed a cabinet for storage and could have carried on the kitchen units on this wall, but we felt a focal point, a piece of unique antique furniture, would not only complete the functional aspect but also provide a lovely layer to the space,' she explains. 'It's the same reason we have the antique brass wall lights and café curtain; every detail adds another layer, making the space feel lived in and complete.'
Choose a Quietly Coastal Color Scheme For Timeless Appeal
Textile play a big role, softening the kitchen and hiding less aesthetic appliances.
As a coastal cottage, the interiors needed to reflect the landscape without feeling themed or contrived. Instead of filling the space with predictable kitchen colors, Tess took a quieter, more refined approach with deeper, richer shades that felt more in keeping with the Scottish coastline.
'We paneled the full room, which adds that extra element and depth to any space; it's an architectural detail that worked really well in this instance, especially with its location being on the coast. The V-groove adds to the coastal country vibe of the cottage,' she explains.
'Drawing inspiration from external fisherman cottage doors and the sea, it felt fitting to bring in those blues and reds. The space is small but also dark, so we color-drenched the entire space with the same blue on the walls, ceiling, and woodwork to make it feel cocooning and cozy, even on those cold winter days. The pop of red contrasts really well with the blue to freshen the space up.'
Maximize Space with a Kitchen Table
Choosing a kitchen table instead of an island not only creates a more sociable layout, but it instantly opens up the space, making it feel larger.
Not every space can accommodate a kitchen island, nor should it. In this design, the tighter space was much better suited to a kitchen table at the center rather than an island, creating better flow and becoming the hub of the cottage for gathering and dining.
'We saw the dining table as the main hub of the room and a place where guests and host would all come together to help with the cooking prep in a relaxed, laid-back setting,' Tess explains. It also adds to the aesthetic of the kitchen – the dark wood offers a richer take on coastal materials, turned legs and decorative chair backs add dimension to the design, and narrow striped pillows tie the whole scheme together.
Keep Nautical References Subtle For a Playfully Sophisticated Finish
Decor in the kitchen helps to tie the cooking space to the rest of the open plan room, with cohesive patterns, colors, and styles.
Coastal decor is a fine line – shell motifs and rustic washed woods instantly feel overly themed, but quieter references can feel elevated and collected. In this space, the latter has been executed perfectly, with antique finds and architectural references leading the decor, from the soft window treatments to the vintage oars on the wall.
'We brought together a lot of antiques when styling this project. Stripes, portholes, captain's trunks, and rope-shaped details all came together to make this space feel like it was a fisherman's home. Since it is a holiday let, we wanted all guests to feel like the space held a story and added that joyful touch to their stay,' Tess explains.
Quick Tips
Art, garden antiques, and florals add the final layer, creating a collected, lived-in feel.
- Don't be afraid to adhere to a one wall layout in a small kitchen
- Add character with antique storage, especially freestanding designs
- Don't take coastal colors too literally
- Be open to a table in place of an island to save space and create a gathering place
- Decorate with authentic pieces, but avoid leaning into a theme
This charming kitchen proves you don't need a sprawling space to create a cooking space that's warm, characterful, and perfectly authentic to the property. With a thoughtful color scheme, authentic materials, and a collected approach to decor, she has created a coastal cottage kitchen that feels lived in and loved, and right at home in the landscape.
While it might not be a period property, Tess's priority throughout the project was ensuring that the home felt authentic. 'Although it was a 70s-built cottage that as on the way to being derelict, we wanted to bring a new lease of life to it, making it fit with modern-day life but also have a feeling that the cottage had always been a part of the local history.'
Shop the Look
At Homes & Gardens, we believe a kitchen should work as beautifully as it looks. That’s the philosophy behind Dream Kitchens, our new series exploring the world’s most inspiring cook spaces. From clever layouts to the 'it' materials of 2026, we’re uncovering the design lessons tucked inside every home. Join us for an intimate look at the spaces that define modern living – and find the blueprints for your next big project.
