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With Seth as general contractor, Rafe as designer, and Kelly as co-client, the kitchen could have veered toward luxe. But the home's low-key style turned out to be the design's big idea. "Too often, kitchens are overbuilt," says Rafe. "We wanted one that would follow the spirit of the house." The result: simple Shaker cabinets, white-washed beadboard walls, and an island cantilevered to allow guests to pull up an extra stool or two. Now, says Seth, "the family is there all the time." And no wonder. "We see a lot of kitchens," he notes. "It's refreshing to walk into one that is bright, clean, and crisp." Shown: Dark finishes and a low ceiling contributed to the downbeat feel. READ: 26 Easy Kitchen Upgrades![Full of Cottage Details]()
Open shelves, soapstone countertops, and a four-light paneled door reinforce the cottage look. Door: Simpson Door CompanyCountertops: Rock Solid Marble and Granite, Sheffield, MA READ: The Best Kitchen Before and Afters of the Year![Grounded Vintage Style]()
Crown molding marks the height of the ceiling before the redo. The sleek fridge helps ground the period-inspired kitchen in the present. Refrigerator: Jenn-AirPendant light: RejuvenationCabinet hardware: Whitechapel Ltd![Range With a View]()
Windows flanking the range reward prep work with views of the yard. A beadboard hood camouflages the high-powered vent fan. Windows: PellaRange and range-hood liner: VikingPaint: Benjamin Moore's Castleton Mist (walls) and Decorators White (trim)A Kitchen That's No Bigger, But Lots Brighter
Ever wonder what a contractor chooses for his own cook space? One peek inside the home of Seth Churchill, who runs a design-build firm with his brother, Rafe, suggests that when you've seen it all, you may actually want less. READ: Editors' Picks: Our Favorite Cottage Kitchens The two men had put in countless kitchens before tackling the one Seth shares with his wife, Kelly, and their two young kids. Tucked at the back of an 1890s cottage, in Lakeville, Connecticut, the space hadn't been updated in decades. Shown: Painted beadboard, open shelves, large new windows, and a ceiling that angles up into attic space make the footprint feel bigger. The island serves as a social spot but also packs a dishwasher and drawers for pots and utensils.
- A Kitchen That's No Bigger, But Lots Brighter
