Colourful country-style Shaker kitchen with a chic terracotta island

Balancing modern country charm with family-focused functionality, we discover more on how this expertly renovated Cornish cottage makes for a relaxed home full of colour and tactile finishes…

Being relocated from south-west London to Truro in Cornwall for work, came at the perfect time for homeowners Kate and Ryan. Having worked for the NHS for many years, the couple were seeking a slower pace of life close to the beach for their three children, Indira, Finbar, and Emmeline. So, when Ryan was offered his first consultancy in the south-west, they jumped at the chance and started looking for their ‘sea-change’ home.

They soon fell in love with the perfect property. A secluded 19th century Cornish cottage with a beautiful garden had the potential to make it their own.

L-shaped kitchen with Shaker cabinetry, a terracotta island and dark worktops.
The original ceiling rafters are a bright white shade to make the low ceiling feel higher. Photography: Kieran Brimson.

Despite the lime-rendered cottage having undeniable charm, it needed an overhaul to make it practical for modern family life. A cold, leaky conservatory leading off the kitchen was earmarked for demolition, to be replaced with a contemporary dining room extension with views of the handsome eucalyptus and redwood in the pretty undulating garden.

With a considered rejig of the ground floor needed, plus a thoughtful remodelling of the upstairs bathrooms, the couple decided to seek the expertise of interior designer Lolita Colenso, known for her careful reconstruction of thought-provoking homes.

Bathroom design with a freestanding tub, open shelving and a classic toilet.
Open shelving provides kid-friendly storage, while rustic antique doors hide away towels and bring warmth to the neutral palette.
Walk-in shower design with aged brassware.
The shower room oozes old-world charm thanks to the traditionally patterned tiles, aged brass ceramic sink and antique mirror.

The brief

“The brief was to create a functional family home that combined period character with modern practicalities,” Lolita tells KBB journo Louise O’Bryan. “The new kitchen-dining space needed to work for cooking, eating and entertaining, while the bathrooms required storage and an injection of personality. As the couple are extensive travellers with eclectic taste, they weren’t afraid to introduce bold colours and layers of interesting textures.”

L-shaped Shaker kitchen with dark worktops and brass rails for storage.
A slate worktop tops the Shaker kitchen cabinetry. The island features green marble for an interesting contrast. Both are robust and durable surfaces, ideal for busy family life and perfect for a country aesthetic. Worktops, Varcurn.

Once the conservatory was removed and the new extension built in its place, the L-shape kitchen began to take shape. Fortunately, there was no need to change the floorplan, including the plumbing or gas. So, it was simply a case of remodelling the existing layout.

Lolita designed the classic Shaker kitchen cabinetry in pale pink to mirror the subtle blush hues of the limestone floor. Then, a carpenter built it to fit around the updated Aga. The walls are free of intrusive cupboards and adorned with farmhouse-style shelves. The brass rails are ideal for hanging utensils and bunches of aromatic herbs.

The kitchen island

At the centre, a stunning island with eye-catching arched ends is a design masterstroke. Painted in Book Room Red by Farrow and Ball, it creates a beautiful contrast with the pale pink cabinetry. The bespoke island features polished green marble for a durable, luxurious finish, with slate worktops above the cabinets.

For Lolita, every design decision was a balance between functionality and charm, ensuring surfaces and details were robust yet conveyed a luxe farmhouse feel.

Pastel pink cabinetry with dark worktops, a terracotta island with green marble top and a walk-in pantry.
Bespoke Shaker cabinetry and open wall shelves with hanging rails capture a relaxing rural vibe. Cabinetry painted in Templeton Pink; walls painted in Pink; island and pantry painted in Book Room Red, all Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Mandarin Stone.

The pantry

The biggest triumph in this cosy Shaker kitchen, and the family’s favourite feature, is the glazed pantry. It is painted in the same rusty red hue as the island to create a cohesive look.

“This was originally the back door, and I saw the opportunity to add a small extension on the other side to create a walk-in larder,” says Lolita. “Painting it a darker colour than the cabinetry and walls makes it a standout feature, while the stable door is a practical addition ensuring little ones don’t get locked in.”

Open-plan kitchen diner with a walk-in pantry in between.
The new dining room extension leads off the kitchen, where there was once an old, leaky conservatory. It now offers lovely views of the established garden.
Closeup of a walk-in pantry pained in a terracotta colour.
The pantry provides pleasing storage for food.

The dining space now sits in the modern extension. It features a sedum roof and cedar cladded exterior, to differentiate the new addition from the historical cottage.

“The initial plan was to add similar ceiling rafters to tie in with the original ones in the kitchen. However, due to budget constraints, we kept the new extension sleek and minimal to emphasise the modern aspect of the space against the old.”

Sticking to a pared-back aesthetic also meant the couple’s antique pieces and locally sourced items, such as the pendants by a Cornish potter and striking artwork from North Coast Asylum, create a focal point against the simple backdrop.

The result? A design that ensures function, form and beauty are combined in this personality-filled family home by the sea.

View of the dining area from outside of the Cornish cottage.
Cedar cladding on the new extension offers a soothing silver patina as a modern contrast to the cottage’s traditional lime-rendered exterior.
Closeup of a dining table and chairs.
Table by Westwind Drift.

As originally told to: Louise O’Bryan | Photography: Kieran Brimson

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