Characterful Architecture, Layered Decor, A Festive Additions Combine to Create the Coziest Kitchen in This Cottage Home

There's an innate coziness to cottages with their low ceilings, characterful details, and period features. But there's something about the holiday season that truly brings them to life, especially the kitchen, which serves as the true heart of the home.

And designer Sophie Garland's cozy cottage, which dates back to the 1600s, is proof of just how charming these spaces can be when decked out for Christmas. But it's more than just a few festive decorations that make it so compelling.

In fact, this cozy kitchen is a lesson in designing around period features, low ceilings, and quirky layouts. With a thoughtful approach to design and decor, it's become the most inviting, warming space – perfect for the holiday celebrations and beyond.

For interior designer Sophie Garland, this ancient home was a labor of love. Pre-renovation, the home, which was originally two separate cottages, was tired and in need of some joy and character being reinjected.

'The kitchen had a similar layout before, but it definitely felt like more could be done to make it feel spacious and cohesive. There were lots of bulky high-level cabinets, which I replaced with open shelving – this immediately made the room feel lighter and more open,' Sophie recalls.

'Another big change was adding a full-height pantry cupboard in what had been an empty, unused corner. Wanting it to feel distinct from the rest of the kitchen cabinetry, I used one of the old doors we’d removed from another part of the house. Although it’s just a cupboard, it now gives the illusion of a larger space beyond.'

Reuse and repurpose was an ethos Sophie embraced throughout the kitchen project. She tried to keep and uplift as many features as she could, whether it was repurposing doors from other parts of the house or breathing new life into old cabinets.

'I didn’t want to replace the remaining cabinets as they were in good condition, so I repainted them in Farrow & Ball’s Pointing and replaced the handles with slightly more modern, simple antique brass ones. I also integrated all of the appliances so the fridge and dishwasher now sit discreetly behind cabinet doors,' she explains.

These thoughtful updates, swaps, and new features have completely transformed the kitchen into the coziest space, filled with color, warmth, and timeless decor features that feel equal parts stylish and personalized.

'The style of the cottage now is definitely one full of color and pattern! It has the charm of an old country kitchen but with a touch of youth and fun! It feels lighter and airier thanks to the softer colors and the choice of furniture,' Sophie describes.

A kitchen with low ceilings can be difficult to design – you still require adequate storage, but upper cabinets can leave the space feeling overcrowded and dark, a problem Sophie overcame by introducing open shelving instead. But color was also important here.

'The low ceiling and dark beams were the biggest challenge, as I really didn’t want the room to feel gloomy. I chose Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball for the walls – it’s a warm pink that still feels fresh and uplifting. To balance the dark beams, I brought in a large pale soaped oak table from the Danish furniture company Carl Hansen, which adds lightness and contrast to the space,' she explains.

Not only was the color choice important for creating that bright, open feel to contrast the darker wood tones, but it also contributed to the warm, cozy atmosphere Sophie has created.

'The warmth of the wall color, paired with the pale cabinetry and antique brass hardware, really helped to create that cozy feeling. The pleated linen curtains and roman blinds add softness and a classic cottage feel, while the large Aga at the center gives an instant sense of warmth and comfort.'

There's a layered approach to decor here that adds to the comforting atmosphere. 'The starting point was the curtain and blind fabric, a beautiful green botanical print by Josef Frank. I’d been wanting to use it for ages, and this room, surrounded by garden views, was the perfect spot. The fabric has a modern edge, which works really well against the older, more traditional elements in the space,' she explains.

'I added antique pieces, like a dark wooden table that now serves as the bar, which I found locally. On top sits one of my favourite finds, a silver antique tray on lion’s feet from Portobello Market. There’s a real mix of old and new, which makes the room feel as though it’s evolved. It was important to lean into the cottage’s original charm with antiques, but balance that with modern touches so it didn’t feel too formal or stuffy.'

To contrast with the pink walls and the white cabinetry, Sophie painted the vintage dining chairs in Puck by Little Greene. 'It’s a dark green but with a wonderful brightness, and the eggshell finish reflects the light beautifully. I kept the original wall lights but painted them in Incarnadine by Farrow & Ball, a favourite red of mine that adds a cheerful injection of color,' she adds.

But for Sophie, it's the home bar that truly stands out in the space, creating the perfect hosting nook, especially for the holidays. 'We turned the old fireplace, which had already been removed, into a bar area. It’s a fun addition and a great way to make use of what was quite a cavernous space.'

All of these design features combined are what make this kitchen feel so warm, inviting, and cozy. And Sophie's advice for creating the coziest kitchen?

'Treat it like another living space. Layer your lighting with ceiling and wall lights, table lamps, and add candle sconces if you can. Curtains and blinds really help soften the harder surfaces, and seat cushions are a lovely way to introduce extra fabrics and warmth.'

Shop the Look

From summer to winter to the most festive of Christmas celebrations, Sophie's cottage kitchen proves that difficult architecture should be embraced for a characterful, cozy design. And as we head towards the holiday season, her Christmas decor ideas add an extra layer of festive charm.