I mostly blog for myself – as motivation to finish projects and to put something pretty out into the world. As the blog has grown, it has one of the best experiences to connect with other people all over the world who find beauty in the same things.

Most recently, I learned about Big Chill, a company in Colorado that makes gorgeous retro-inspired kitchen appliances. I think I literally drooled a little when I first saw them. I wanted to build a kitchen design around one of their stoves, and I got so excited about this project that I ended up designing two kitchens!

The first kitchen design has a retro cottage look that is whimsical but still contemporary.

This kitchen starts with the 36″ Retro Stove in Beach Blue. This stove is a statement piece, so I kept the rest of the kitchen neutral.

The cabinets are a simple white in a double Shaker style for a more cottage-y look, and I paired them with matching open shelves above the counters and these whimsical cabinet pulls!

To continue our cottage theme, I chose Saddle Seat Counter Stools. I love the smooth, soft curves of this natural material.

And I added this beautiful Solid Cherry Wood Salad Bowl to repeat the theme of natural wood. We inherited a vintage bowl like this when we bought our house. These bowls get seasoned over time from the oil in your dressing, giving them a beautiful patina.

While this kitchen’s main impression is homey and retro, I finished it off with some more modern accents, to give it an enduring look and functionality. The kitchen sink gets lots of wear and tear, and this Riobel Bistro Commercial Kitchen Faucet is up to the challenge. Although it has modern lines, the stainless finish ties into the finish on cabinet pulls.

Other contemporary features that allow this kitchen to fit into a modern home are these gorgeous carrara marble subway tiles, and the Robert Allen Handcut Shapes fabric in Rain. This print would look great as window valances or cushions on a banquette!

I hope you enjoyed touring this virtual cottage kitchen as much as I enjoyed designing it. What would you add to make your dream kitchen?

“Jewels”