Minister Cottage

About the project

A Thoughtful Revival of a Historic Cottage Kitchen

As featured in Period Living

Tucked away in a quiet Buckinghamshire village, the old minister’s cottage had stood since 1839—its weathered brick walls quietly bearing witness to the lives and seasons that had passed through it. A place of character and quiet charm, it held the kind of history you can feel in the air: stories whispered through worn floorboards and time-softened corners.

Our clients were immediately drawn to this sense of history. They shared a vision for the cottage—one that respected its past while reimagining it for modern life. At the heart of their plans was the kitchen, a space they believed should serve as the soul of the home.

The original kitchen, though full of character, was dark and confined—built for a time when utility, not comfort, was the priority. Yet the couple saw potential. Thick walls and small garden-facing windows hinted at a space that, with care, could be transformed into something truly special.

Their vision brought light and warmth to the space. French patio doors were introduced, opening the kitchen to the lush garden beyond, where they planted a mix of perennials designed to bloom across the seasons—creating a visual link between indoors and out.

But it was the details that brought the design to life. A classic Belfast sink was paired with a Perrin & Rowe Ionian tap in aged brass, positioned to overlook a cosy seating nook where the couple often sat. In place of heavy wall cabinets, open shelving now displays a charming mix of decorative antiques, handmade ceramics, a delicate pendant light, and a small oil painting that adds a touch of personal warmth.

Tall cabinetry frames the space, offering generous storage while keeping the room’s lines clean and uncluttered. A bespoke larder houses a hidden coffee-making station—an elegant, practical solution that reflects the couple’s attention to both function and form. The kitchen’s Shaker-style cabinetry, with its timeless simplicity, complements the original beams and the aged fabric of the house with grace and harmony.

As the renovation came to completion, the transformation was striking. The once-shadowed space is now bathed in light, with the morning sun spilling through the French doors and dancing across brass fixtures and warm timber. From nearly every corner of the kitchen, the garden offers a view—alive with colour and seasonal change.

More than just a renovation, the couple had revived the spirit of the cottage. The kitchen became their favourite place—a room for cooking, gathering, and simply being. In breathing new life into this space, they ensured that the cottage’s story would continue, beautifully, for generations to come.