Simple Summer Beach Cottage Kitchen and Garden Home Tour (Part 2)
Have you started decorating for summer yet? Take a tour of my 1920 beach cottage kitchen and see how I’ve brightened up my indoor spaces just in time for the summer season.
Summer is my favorite time of year because I have all the fresh flowers from the cutting garden in my house. It could also be because we can be outdoors more, enjoying Puget Sound and the sun.
It’s the time of year when life seems a little more relaxed and anything goes when it comes to decorating.
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Summer Cottage-Style Kitchen Tour
This is the view from the living room, and the front door is to the right of this picture, just out of sight.
Our kitchen has been fully remodeled, and we couldn’t love the changes we made here anymore.
Here are the details that were non-negotiable for me when we started thinking of renovating the kitchen…
This kitchen is pretty small, but it works for the two of us.
We don’t have a dining room, so this is the only dining space inside the house. Building a window seat gave us more seating around the table.
Do you see that gorgeous rhododendron bush outside the window? I love it when it blooms here each May.
Creating Storage Space in the Kitchen
Storage space is limited in our beach cottage, so we have to be very strategic when finding space to store our kitchen appliances and essentials.
My Favorite Cabinet
Some things are just meant to be. Like this vintage cabinet.
It was the first vintage piece I bought over twenty years ago. It’s been in six homes, but this is my favorite spot, its forever spot!
This cabinet fits between the kitchen cabinets and window seat PERFECTLY! And it gives me so much storage space.
An Island Created from a Dresser
We definitely needed more countertop space in the kitchen, but we couldn’t fit a large island in this space. That’s where this vintage dresser came in.
Our contractor found a piece of butcher block from a local Dunkin Donuts that was going out of business, and the rest is history.
Pan Rack
Creating this pan rack helped us store some of the pans we use regularly, as well as my favorite vintage pots for display.
Window Seating
Adding a window seat with drawers was brilliant! I store all those kitchen items I rarely use, like cookie cutters, the waffle maker, and Christmas decor.
Adding Summer to the Mix
It’s so easy to decorate the kitchen for summer with a relaxed, bright, and casual feel here.
Blue and White Dishware
I chose blue and white dishware and containers to display in our cottage kitchen during summer. Bright yellow lemons are the perfect compliment.
Fresh Herbs
Not only do I bring in fresh herbs for cooking, but I love how fresh the kitchen smells with them here. I use basil so much during the summer.
Pots of lavender and rosemary smell amazing and also look pretty in a summer kitchen.
The Perfect Summer Candle
I either have the diffuser on or a candle burning no matter what time of year, but change the fragrance each season.
Coastal Styling
Aren’t these starfish dishes the cutest?
There are many fun options for bringing coastal vibes to your summer kitchen. Fish plates, shell napkin holders, and beachy dish towels are all great decor options.
Open Shelving
There are some serious opinions about open shelving. I’ve been questioned about how clean my dishes are because they sit on the shelves collecting dust. And that’s okay. I get it.
But I LOVE displaying my favorite seasonal dishes and decor on my shelving. I usually always have ironstone pieces up here throughout the year, but they’re dishes I don’t use very often and always wash before using.
It’s harder to tell behind the glass, but this cabinet is also great for displaying my favorite things.
A View of the Puget Sound
There is so much for me to love about my cottage kitchen. But the view is the best…hands down.
I stare longingly out the window, taking in the pretty Puget Sound waterview, the boats anchored in the bay, and my sweet little greenhouse.
You can see the deck out the kitchen window, where we eat most meals during the summer months.
An Open Concept
I shared my summer living room home tour last week, but I wanted to include these pictures of the living room view from the kitchen.
We now have an open concept after taking the wall between the kitchen and living room a few years ago. It has changed the way we live.
The stairs go up to my office-studio space and guest room.
The Eating Space
I know I’ve already shared the eating area with you, but here’s a closer look.
- pendants – Barn Light USA.
- farm table – Dutch Crafters
- dining chairs – Pier 1
I hope you’ve enjoyed the summer home tour of my beach cottage kitchen and garden. I loved having you along and hope to see you again soon.
If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may enjoy this post.
Until next time,
Happy Summer Decorating!
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I absolutely adore your style!!! Your home looks so cozy and so beautiful!!!! And, your gardens, sooooo dreamy!!!!
Thank you so much, Emily!
You know I always love to see your home Kim, and this time, I’m wowed by your beautiful landscaping! We are in the process of overhauling our backyard and I’m pinning this for inspiration!
I can’t wait to see your backyard progress, Jen. I need to go check out your blog. Thank you for pinning.
Such a beautiful way to celebrate Summer, Kim! I love, love, love your kitchen and breakfast nook, they’re so pretty. And don’t even get me started on that million-dollar view – it’s stunning. I just love it all! Hope your summer is filled with all good things, CoCo
Thank you for loving my kitchen Coco. You always make me smile with your sweet compliments. Happy summer!
Love home tours, and your home is so very lovely. Thank you so much for inviting us inside.
Well, thank YOU for coming along on the tour sweet friend.
Kim your kitchen and gardens are one of my favorites. So much charm and love is put into everything you do. Happy Father’s Day?
That is so kind of you to say, Ann. Thank you!
Breathtaking, as always, Kim! Your gardens STILL look lovely, just as your home does. I get the open-shelving controversy. Personally, I’m with you on open shelves. LOVE THEM! And it was such a treat to see your living room view from the kitchen. Pinned, and what fun touring with you this summer!
Thank you, Julie. I always love touring with you. I was happy I captured a different point of view of the house. I loved how it turned out as well. Happy summer my friend.
Your home is as beautifully colored and textured-filled as your garden! It’s like a feast for my eyes:) Love it all!
What a lovely thing to say, Lora. Thank you so much! Happy summer!
If I could dream up my own cottage, it would look just like yours Kim! Love seeing the views of the deck through your kitchen window and your rhododendron is stunning! Beautiful photos and tour!
Wow! That’s quite a compliment Michelle. Thank you so much for the kind words.
Isn’t is crazy how removing a wall makes you live differently? I don’t know how people did it back in the olden days. And you are so right – some things are just meant to be and your blue cabinet is aaahhhmazing! I think it’s one of the things I love most about your fun and beautiful home. Besides the garden and all the other adorable characteristics about your place.
We needed an island at the farmhouse. The hubbies grandparents and parents had a full (small but full) table and chairs in there and it was so crowded. I found a buffet and plopped it in there and I think it’s too big. I gave up searching for a vintage dresser but you’ve made me start the search again! Loved hopping with you again Kim. Enjoy your summer!
Removing the wall really did make all the difference in the world Cindy. I can’t believe how much more light we have in the living room now. I just know you will find the perfect vintage dresser to use as an island. It really is the perfect size for a smaller kitchen. Happy summer my friend!
Your home is so amazing! It is the epitome of summer living at it’s finest. It was so much fun hopping with you this week. Blessings to you.
Thank you, Renae. I always love hopping with you too. Happy summer my friend.
Kim! Goodness gracious I sure had fun touring your kitchen and your garden! I pinned a few pictures but could have pinned them all. I love all the color you use…there is something about it that makes my heart happy! So thankful you were able to join and so glad you had fun on your trip. Happy summer!
Thank you so much, Kelly! I do love color and can’t wait until I can start bringing in fresh-cut flowers to bring in even more. Happy summer and thank you for putting this together. You work so hard and we all appreciate you so much.
Your Rhody’s look amazing!! And just let me know who is questioning the cleanliness of your dishes and I’ll take care of them for you…
Right? How dare someone question my cleanliness! Actually, it has been a comment that I see regularly on other people’s blogs and on IG. Thank goodness no one has ever said it to me or I would let them have it!
I love getting to spend time in your home inside and out Kim! Everything looks so beautiful. Your house makes me happy! I agree about daisies, I love how they brighten up the garden. Thanks for always inspiring me so much!
Thank you for coming along on the tour Kristin. You know you always have an open invitation to come in person! And I will have fresh-cut daisies ready to welcome you.
Kim, I am always so inspired by your stunning beach cottage…swoon! Your decor is charming and where do I start with that fabulous garden?! Simply beautiful! Pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
You are so sweet, Cecilia. Thank you for pinning and for the wonderful words of encouragement.
Always love your home tours of your beautiful cottage. Your vintage sink is my favorite! And that rhododendron bush outside your kitchen window is gorgeous. Pinned!
Thank you so much, ladies. Fun fact…we designed the entire kitchen around the farm sink. I just loved it so much! Thank you for pinning. Happy summer!
Kim, I always look forward to seeing what you do each season, and how you style all of your fun and unique vintage finds. Thank you for sharing a peek into your beautiful summer home with us! Of course, my favorite photos are all of the ones sharing your gorgeous gardens and that stunning waterfront view! Happy to be on the tour with you this week. Pinned!
I always love touring with you, Jen. And thank you for the kind words. and pinning. Happy summer!
Your kitchen is stunning! So much amazing character! And, I LOVE your garden. I just want to sit there :).
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
Your charming, colorful cottage is so dreamy and fresh. Always enjoy stopping in. Your gardens are incredible. Are you on the mainland or Whidby Island? I saw a Whidby pillow in one of your tours. Our daughter and son in law lived on Whidby 17 years ago and it is such a beautiful place.
Thank you so much, Pamela. We are on the Key Peninsula but I had to have that pillow when we visited by boat last year. I thought ti was so cute. I really love Langley.
Kim,
As always everything in your home and gardens is just stunning. So much inspiration.
Kim your home is always amazing!
Seeing your gardens and your shed from your table is a dream.
Every inch of your tour is so pretty
Thank you so much, Cindy. I really appreciate it.
That means a lot Rachel, thank you!
Kim your cottage looks like it is straight out of a magazine! So pretty and charming inside…it just welcomes you in! But that view is spectacular!!! And your gardens. I wish we had more temperate weather in Texas. As soon as our plants get happy in the early summer, then they burn and die. I’ll just look at pictures of your garden for the rest of the summer!
Thank you for the sweetest comments, Kate. We have been having the exact opposite weather issues. My flowers are not growing like they should be because it’s been so cold. I hope your summer cools down soon.
Kim I’ve always beena huge fan of your kitchen. It is so pretty and those corbels you added look so good! Looking forward to all the gardening this year! xo
Thank you, Stacy. You’ll have to come out here one of these days and help me in the garden.