A Country Kitchen

Now that the fireplace in our kitchen has been removed, we are thinking about how to turn the travesty of its collapse into an opportunity. The void of what was once a 8 foot wall of brick brings opportunity to enhance the layout and open up walls to create a roomy country kitchen. Here's some of our inspiration from bespoke kitchen designers Plain English (pay close attention to the Aga and Rayburn cookers):

Taste, Color, Design

We stumbled upon Plain English bespoke kitchens in last month's The World of Interiors. The clean, classic lines of their designs would be perfect in an antique home (or any home!), paired with a dash of color and a taste of the outdoors.

Bespoke kitchen by Plain English; oranges at the Manhattan Fruit Exchange; Orangery byFarrow & Ball

Long House glazed cabinets by Plain English; white asparagus at the Manhattan Fruit Exchange; Babouche by Farrow & Ball

The Williamsburg solid wood Shaker style kitchen by Plain English; Asparagus at the Manhattan Fruit Exchange; Cream by Farrow & Ball

Long House farmhouse kitchen by Plain English; Royal Trumpet Mushrooms at the Manhattan Fruit Exchange; Cat's Paw by Farrow & Ball

Long House traditional kitchen by Plain English; Bluefoot Mushrooms at the Manhattan Fruit Exchnage; Pitch Blue by Farrow & Ball

21st Century Summer Kitchens and Outhouses

Exterior of a 1785 colonial in New Hampshire.

The "kitchen" with soapstone sink...and not much else.

Our latest house obsession is in New Hampshire--a 1785 colonial with original wide plank floors, doors, built-in cupboards and mantels. We haven't made the trip yet to see it live, but we wake up each morning thinking about the possibilities of this historic home.

The catch? The kitchen and bathroom (note there is no "s" on that last word) are totally bare. While some might see this as a serious downfall, we see it as an opportunity. But the restoration purists in us are having a hard time figuring out what these rooms should like--18th century references of kitchens and bathrooms don't exactly meet with modern day standards. Here are two restorations that have us thinking and that compliment the aesthetic of each home:

1795 colonial in Connecticut with updated kitchen, bathroom and laundry room

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1810 federal upstate New York

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