Have you started decorating for summer yet? Today I’ll take you on a tour of my 1920 beach cottage kitchen and garden and show you how I’ve brightened up my indoor and outdoor spaces just in time for the summer season.
Summer 2022 Home Tour – The Kitchen and Garden
Summer is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited about it!
Maybe it’s my favorite time of year because of all the fresh flowers in my house and the cutting garden. Or it could be because we’re outdoors more, enjoying the Puget Sound and the sun.
Summer is also the time of year when life seems a little more relaxed and anything goes when it comes to decorating.
Today I’m going to take you through the cottage kitchen and garden.
CLICK HERE to see my summer tour of our cottage living room.
My friend Kelly from The Tattered Pew is hosting the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tour this week, featuring 30 home tours to inspire you. Each day this week 6 different bloggers have been sharing their summer home tours and today is my day.
If you’re joining me from Kate of Southern Home and Hospitality‘s blog, welcome! I’m so happy that you took the time to stop by. Didn’t you love Kate’s 15 simple decorating ideas?
Be sure to visit all 30 home tours on the summer tour. You can find every blog link at the end of this post.
Our 102-Year-Old Beach Cottage
If this is your first visit here, welcome to my home. I’m Kim and you can find out a little more about me HERE. Shiplap and Shells is a lifestyle blog where I share my Pacific Northwest home, gardening, our Puget Sound boating adventures, and so much more.
We moved into our “forever home”, a 1920 beach cottage, ten years ago and literally renovated, refurbished, refreshed, and remodeled every inch of the house.
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.
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Our kitchen has been fully remodeled and we couldn’t love the changes we made here more.
Here are the details that were non-negotiable for me when we started thinking of renovating the kitchen…
- subway tile
- white cabinetry
- farm sink
- tongue and groove ceiling
To see what the kitchen looked like when we first moved in CLICK HERE.
As far as kitchens go, this one is pretty small but it works for the two of us.
We don’t have a dining room so this is our only eating space inside the house. Building a window seat really 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 cabinet.
It was the very first vintage piece I ever bought over 20 years ago. It’s been in 6 homes but this is my very favorite spot it’s ever been in.
It 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 couldn’t really 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 on a regular basis as well as my favorite vintage pots for displaying.
CLICK HERE to see how we made this pan rack.
Window Seating
Adding drawers to our window seating was brilliant! I store all those kitchen items that I don’t use very often like cookie cutters, the waffle maker, and Christmas decor.
SHOP BLUE AND YELLOW PILLOWS
Adding Summer to the Mix
It’s so easy to decorate the kitchen for summer. I’m looking for 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 the summer months.
Bright yellow lemons are the perfect compliment.
SHOP THIS LOOK
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 not only smell amazing but look pretty in a summer kitchen. Rosemary is another plant I bring into the kitchen a lot.
The Perfect Summer Candle
I love a fresh-smelling house.
I either have the diffuser on or a candle burning no matter what time of year, changing the fragrances each season.
CLICK HERE to shop my favorite candles.
Coastal Styling
Aren’t these starfish dishes the cutest?
There are so many fun options when it comes to bringing some coastal vibes to your summer kitchen. Fish plates, shell napkin holders, and beachy dish towels are all great decor options.
SHOP THIS LOOK
Open Shelving
There are some serious opinions when it comes to open shelving.
Yes, I’ve heard the negative comments where I am questioned on how clean my dishes really are. And that’s ok. 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 a great place for displaying my favorite things as well. I added mostly blue and white here in the kitchen for summer.
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 water view, the boats that are anchored in the bay, and my sweet little greenhouse.
You can see the deck out the kitchen window which is where we eat most meals during the summer months.
An Open Concept
I shared my summer living room home tour last week but wanted to include these pictures of the living room view seen 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
Summer Cottage Garden Tour
The garden is at its very best in the months of July and August.
I can’t tell you how beautiful my cut flower garden looks during those months.
This has been a most peculiar June though.
We have had temperatures in the 60s and a lot of rain the last couple of months.
Flowers that are usually blooming are having a tough time this year.
So as much as I wanted to show off my beautiful (almost) summer garden, I am finding myself sharing the container garden instead.
To bring color to the garden right now I went and bought more annuals and herbs to plant while we were waiting for the perennials to do their thing.
Lavender, alliums, Jupiter’s Beard, and peonies are blooming right now.
I did get a self-seeding foxglove to grow over by the patio area.
Do you remember my bug shopping spree for foxglove last year? I found plants at the grocery store for $5.99 each and wiped them out!
This year was a different story. By the time I got home from my 3-week trip to Europe, I couldn’t find a single foxglove anywhere.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to see some daisies here in a couple of weeks.
The roses should have started blooming but the deer had a little feast while we were vacationing.
What to Expect from the Summer Garden
Here are some of my favorite pictures of the summer garden from last year.
So many things to look forward to!
MY SUMMER GARDEN BLOG POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY…
- How My Pacific Northwest Cottage Garden Grew Through the Summer Season
- What’s Blooming in My Early Summer Cottage Garden
- My Seasonal Garden Year in Review
- An Enchanted Evening Summer Stroll Through the Cottage Garden
Here are my beautiful dahlias.
The hydrangeas and phlox are 2 of the most stunning flowers I grow in the cottage garden.
The purple and pink shades are so extreme.
And of course, the daisies will brighten up the garden soon.
We usually have them blooming by the 4th of July but that could change this year. We can only wait and see.
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.
Leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.
Next up on the tour is Heidi from Eleanor Rose Home. You are absolutely going to love her summer tour.
Be sure to check out the other blogger’s home tours below.
Until next time,
Happy Decorating!
Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours
This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the Bloggers’ Best Summer Home Tours. Thirty talented and creative women will be opening their homes up for you to tour all week long. You can visit each summer home tour by clicking the links below.
Monday’s Tours
The Tattered Pew / Cottage On Bunker Hill / She Gave It A Go
Cottage In The Mitten / Stonegable / My Wee Abode
Tuesday’s Tours
Thistle Key Lane / Midwest Life & Style / White Lilac Farmhouse
My Thrift Store Addiction / Willow Bloom Home Blog / Dabbling and Decorating
Wednesday’s Tours
Bricks ‘n Blooms /Amy Sadler Designs / Peacock Ridge Farm
White Arrows Home / Pasha Is Home / The Ponds Farmhouse
Thursday’s Tours
Simply2Moms / Country Peony / Southern Home and Hospitality
Shiplap and Shells / Eleanor Rose Home / Cloches and Lavender
Friday’s Tours
Le Cultivateur / Lora Bloomquist Create & Ponder / Noting Grace
My Family Thyme / Vintage and Grace Living / County Road 407
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- Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
- Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group.
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.