This Cozy Cottage Kitchen Does a Million Things Right

First featured in a House Tour on our sister website, Apartment Therapy, the story of the Bridger family kitchen is a testament to the power of manifestation. For years, the family of four would take long summer walks around an Evanston, IL neighborhood and peek into the windows of this 1920s cottage. The moment that it went on sale, they put in a bid on it (without ever having stepped inside!) and soon the house — and its glorious kitchen — was theirs.

The Bridger’s didn’t leave it as is, however. They bought it and immediately got to work renovating it. This sort of project is kind of their thing. Husband-and-wife team Christine and Gabriel (both creative directors in Chicago) have taken up renovating cottages as a kind of side hobby. They even get the kids, Emelia and Jenson, involved too.

In our humble opinion, the kitchen is the best part of this cottage. Why do we love it? Let us count the ways.

Rustic pendant lights hang over the family’s giant kitchen island, which is clearly the star of the room. The reason this marble-topped surface is so, well, large? They wanted it that way! Considering their love of cooking, crafting, and hosting, the Bridgers knew that they’d end up spending all their time here. The most unique part of the island is not its massive size, however — it’s the fact that it’s supported by 1800s-era bed posts (a nod to the family’s love of vintage finds).

All of the kitchen shelving is made of wood recycled from a former horse barn. Both Gabe and Christine grew up on farms, where they were were surrounded by antiques all their lives. They say that “having a love for the old has been ingrained in us from the beginning.”

The bright kitchen has tons of personal touches like vintage accents, a bright-blue tea pot, and bursts of tartan plaid. The charming mix of old and new pairs perfectly with the bright white surfaces and cabinetry, which dominate much of the space.

Once again, the couple’s love for plaid appears again on the upholstery of their dining chairs. The dining room connects to the kitchen, creating a seamless space ideal for family time and entertaining. Another vintage find, the dining room table exudes an old-world charm, matching the island’s bed post legs.

How many ways was that? We lost count. Probably at least close to a million!

See the rest of this House Tour: A Cozy English Cottage in Illinois at Apartment Therapy

What do you love most about this gorgeous kitchen? Discuss in the comments below.