Step Inside An English Farmhouse-inspired Kitchen

Designer Shannon Vosters brought a new kitchen and mudroom back to its farmhouse origins for her brother and his family.

House & Home: When was this house built?

Shannon Vosters: The early 1900s. The kitchen was very dark, with just one small window and a U-shaped layout that wasn’t functional. We relocated a powder room to expand the kitchen
work area and added two more windows, and the adjoining covered porch became the mudroom. They’re a really outdoorsy family with two large dogs — they need one!

H&H: How did you give the new spaces a lived-in, timeworn feel?

SV: When you think of an English farmhouse, you think of practicality and finishes that will develop character over time. To get that look, we chose a lot of natural materials, like the brick floors in the mudroom and the butcherblock on the island, and vintage pieces like the stools. The quartzite counters are in a honed finish, which is a great choice if you’re avoiding that shiny, brand-new look.

H&H: What was your approach to the lighting?

SV: I like to use different shapes, but I limit the number of finishes to two or three, and then repeat them. Here, we used a mix of unlacquered brass, black and ceramic. The black cords on the island pendants connect to the color of the range, and the various brass lights connect to the cabinet hardware.

H&H: Why did you avoid recessed lighting?

SV: I love using flush-mounts in place of potlights whenever I can — it’s a personal preference. The light they give off is warmer and more inviting, and they also look beautiful.

H&H: How did you visually connect the kitchen to the mudroom?

SV: We pulled in the blue-grey cabinet color from the pantry and used it on all the mudroom cabinets and shiplap.

H&H: Tell us about those brick floors. Are they easy to care for?

SV: It’s a thin brick that we had sealed. It’s incredibly practical and provides a great buffer between the backyard and the rest of the house. Salvaged fir doors and an old concrete laundry sink give the mudroom a sense of history. All were found on Kijiji. I think we paid $20 for the sink!

The old dining table and chairs are juxtaposed with a new, more modern light fixture.

A glass-fronted cabinet in the kitchen showcases art, candlesticks and dishware.

Painted shelving and classic brass rails add storage and display.

Keep scrolling for elements of the look!