The charm of this design is that it brings earthy natural tones together through the red-brick floors, reclaimed blackbutt timber and polished concrete benchtops. The materials and finishes create a space that is refreshing and in keeping with the period of the cottage. Yet at the same time it feels contemporary with a touch of the industrial in features such as the exposed timber beams, subway- tiled splashback and open shelving within the island bench. One of the key design considerations
was working with the exposed timber beam in the middle of the room. We also cut down the existing floor-to-ceiling wall above the benchtop to open up the kitchen to the living area, while still maintaining a concealed cooking nook. Tall cabinets that house the large fridge are kept to one corner of the room so as not to overcrowd the space, and the microwave is also concealed.