Our Cozy, Classic Poplar Cottage Kitchen Reveal
THE POPLAR COTTAGE
Five years ago, we started this little kitchen renovation with big dreams, a small budget, and no idea what lay ahead. What was supposed to be a quick refresh turned into… well, everything but that. A house lift. A new foundation. A second story addition. A million decisions. And lots of pauses. But the vision never changed: a small, hardworking, vintage-inspired kitchen that felt warm, lived-in, and true to this early-1920’s cottage. And today, finally, we get to show you the finished Poplar Cottage kitchen!!!
psst: sources are at the bottom of this post
But before I get into all the details, let’s take a quick look back at where we started and how we got here.
Where We Started
When we first walked into the Poplar Cottage, the kitchen was tiny, awkward, and mismatched. The layout didn’t make the most of the footprint, storage was limited, and the finishes were a mix of almost-cute vintage and early-2000s builder grade.
But even with a not-so-great kitchen, the house had a spark. That je ne sais quoi some old houses possess even in their ‘before’ state. Even when they’re only 575sf. Some houses just feel good, you know?! And we could see the potential.
As we shared in earlier posts:
…this space needed a full rethink, not just prettier finishes.
What We Wanted to Fix
Small homes have one golden rule: every square foot needs to count. And this kitchen wasn’t pulling its weight. Fixing that was our first goal renovation goal - a more functional floor plan in the small foot print. We also wanted to make sure the kitchen was durable and hardworking for renters (and, as it would turn out, our family of 5, who moved in temporarily in the Spring).
When it came to design, we wanted a warm, vintage-inspired, and timeless kitchen layered with natural materials and handmade charm. We weren’t chasing trendy. We were chasing classic.
A Small, Hardworking, Vintage-Inspired & Classic Kitchen
I’m so pleased that five years after the original design, we still love this kitchen. It’s cozy, efficient, and full of thoughtful details. Best of all, it fits seamlessly into this old house!
The Details That Make the Room
Here are the details that make this room…
Warm Wood Tones & Painted Cabinetry
The paint color is everything in here. We actually painted these cabinets 4 times (🙃) before getting it right. That’s a little embarrassing to admit, but color is hard, even for people who have been renovating for a decade. I love the color with the oak floors and unlaquered brass hardware (which is aging to perfection). We used basic stock cabinets in here (from GS Cabinets in Seattle) that are quality made of wood and plywood and then customized them to maximize storage in this small space. Paint colors are…
Cabinet color: FB Old White (color matched by SW) - a lovely green that sometimes reads neutral
Wall + Trim color: BM Swiss Coffee - a warm white that has usurped Simply White as my favorites white
The Curved Plaster Hood (a diy!)
This hood is the soul of the room. Garrett built the frame from thin pieces of wood, and shaped and plastered it into something soft, organic, and European-inspired. It’s sculptural without trying too hard and anchors the whole kitchen. Amazingly it weathered the house lift and set-back-down without a single crack! We shared a post on how to build a curved plaster hood vent here.
A Layout That Actually Works
Small kitchens succeed or fail based on layout, and this one works hard. The final plan gave us clear work zones, a long uninterrupted prep run, a functional work triangle, much-needed additional pantry storage, a dishwasher, and a built-in bench with storage. This kitchen can comfortably house a few cooks/lunch-makers/coffee-drinkers/pizza-eaters at once.
The Plate Rack
This was one of my favorite design decisions. The plate rack above the dishwasher adds charm and practicality - it’s both storage and a moment. I custom designed it to match the swoops on the backsplash and had a seller on Etsy build it for me (a rec from my friend Ashley!).
quartz countertops
We had originally planned to use marble but when our favorite Seattle stone yard stopped carrying it, we decided to try quartz thinking they would be great in a rental. I picked out ‘Victorian White’ because the veining felt organic and as close to marble as possible. We fabricated the quartz countertops ourselves, which you can read about here. DIYing them meant we could add curves, a 12” backsplash, and a little shelf above the range wall. I LOVE how they turned out!
recessed shelving with gallery rail
When we closed up the wall to the bathroom (creating a main-floor primary), we recessed shelves into the 2x4 wall. The unlaquered brass gallery rail was a budget diy addition and we shared a how-to here.
Seating
Every kitchen needs seating (if at all possible) and this built-in bench does triple duty as a spot to put on shoes by the back door, storage, and a perch to hang out with the chef. The cushion is custom and covered in performance fabric - hard to believe it was from Amazon!
The Little Things
These are the details that bring ‘cottage’ into the kitchen:
Brass hardware that will age beautifully
A small stove ledge for oils + spices
Vintage-inspired art
Cozy café curtains
A warm jute rug
A woven lamp with a soft glow
A soft bench cushion + pillows
Unlaquered brass faucet that’s aging beautifully
A shelf below the counter to tuck the microwave away in
Together, they give the room that lived-in, loved-in feel we always chase.
A Kitchen Built Slowly And Intentionally
This room has been touched, re-touched, paused, re-started, and built upon in layers. It reminds me of those old farmhouses where spaces were added as families grew - a little quirky, a little imperfect, but so full of heart. And honestly I think the house is better for it. Here’s how that played out… first there was just the sink wall and stove wall. Then a third row of cabinets were added when we moved the dining table to a separate room (space made available from adding a second story). Then a built-in bench. Then we closed off the old bathroom doorway and added recessed shelving.
Phew! In the past five years, this house has weathered a lot.
The Big Construction Stuff
House lift + new foundation (after we were about 75% done with the kitchen)
Second story addition (meaning new structural, plumbing, and electrical above the kitchen)
The Kitchen-Specific Work
Built the curved plaster hood
Customized stock cabinets for smarter storage
Added an extra row of cabinets + a built-in bench + butcher block
Closed the bathroom doorway and added recessed shelving with gallery rail
Layered lighting: sconce, pendant, recessed
This kitchen has truly been built one loving decision at a time.
Kitchen Sources
Here are all the sources from this kitchen…
Paint colors: F&B Old White (color matched by SW) and BM Swiss Coffee
Cabinet knobs (unlaquered brass, 1.25”)
Bench cushion from Amazon (in Olefin brown)
Unlaquered brass gallery rail (a budget-friendly diy!)
Landscape art (similar)
Mudroom laminate tile floors
This kitchen has been five years in the making, and honestly, I wouldn’t change much. The time gave us clarity, intention, and the chance to make thoughtful choices instead of rushed ones. It’s warm, functional, classic, and personal - exactly what we hoped for when we bought this little cottage. Perfect for guests in the future and our little family of 5 for the time being!
Thanks for following along on this lonnnng renovation adventure. We can’t wait to show you more finished spaces in the Poplar Cottage!! Next up, the combo dining/sitting room.
xx
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