This Kitchen Makeover Was Plucked Out of the English Countryside

To say Jason and Nikki were overwhelmed by their cramped, dysfunctional kitchen would be an understatement. With no room to prep and walls that felt like they were closing in, this couple was ready to blow open the layout. The problem? Their budget didn’t exactly allow for hard restructuring. Enter designer Sabrina Smelko and contractor Sebastian Clovis. Here’s how the Save My Reno team brought a spacious English countryside kitchen to life using a little up-cycling and know-how. No wall knockouts required.

1 / 10

Before: Tired and Cramped

Thanks to bulky appliances, small cabinetry and a very tired backsplash, this kitchen was an outdated room with absolutely zero functionality or space. It’s no wonder the homeowners needed help!

2 / 10

Before: A Random Bookshelf

While the concept of using a bookshelf here is a great storage solution, this unit just wasn’t cutting it. The entire wall felt wasted and gave the kitchen a boxed in feel, which obviously made the homeowners dislike their space even more.

3 / 10

After: An English Country Kitchen

Sabrina and Sebastian made the most of this space by installing prefab cabinetry, new engineered hardwood and brand new surfaces that make everything feel cottage-like and cosy — exactly what the homeowners ordered!

4 / 10

After: A Display of Blue

This mosaic inlay over the stove not only adds a pop of colour and serves as a feature wall of sorts, but it’s the epitome of what we’d picture a classic English cottage kitchen to look like.

5 / 10

After: Updated Backsplash

You don’t have to break the bank on a brand new backsplash; Sabrina chose this pretty hue to add a country cottage like warmth to the space. The pattern adds texture and an English feel, while giving the walls a little more depth. Meanwhile certain rustic elements, like these planters and cutting boards, feel natural on the new granite countertops.

6 / 10

After: Tons of Surface Area

Sabrina and Sebastian made use of all the walls in this space, and added tons of coveted counter space. The homeowners admitted that an oversized basin sink like this was always the dream; inexpensive hardware on the previously loved cabinets — which look brand new — ties it all together.

7 / 10

After: A Floating Island

Sabrina snagged this floating island at a steal (a hundred bucks!). It’s perfect for the space because it can be moved around to become whatever the homeowners need it to be, and it comes already equipped with a built-in cutting board and extra storage underneath.

8 / 10

After: In With the Old

Why purchase new pieces of furniture when you can integrate antiques like this gorgeous table straight from England? Sabrina certainly made the piece work with the design, as it feels purposeful and fits right in with the overall look.

9 / 10

After: A Custom Bench

Remember that useless bookshelf? Sebastian transformed that area into a custom bench area instead, maximizing the space and giving the homeowners way more storage options with the secondhand cabinets Sabrina was able to secure.

10 / 10

After: A Little DIY

Sebastian cut pieces of inexpensive pine so that Sabrina could build this custom display for the homeowners to showcase all of their inherited china in. It’s the perfect cottage-inspired piece in an English countryside kitchen, and packs a real personalized punch in this space.