Because our humble-but-charming abode was built in the 1600s, it’s been marked as Grade II listed. It’s a UK-specific demarcation, but basically, in the name of historical preservation, we’re not allowed to do any work until we have explicit approval from the local Heritage Committee. And, as you might expect of a home built in the 1600s, there is a lot of work to be done. While I’m happy to wait, it also means I need to channel my excitement in the only way I know how: retail therapy. Because the room I’m currently most excited about decorating is the kitchen, that’s where I’ve already started. We might not have our official move-in date yet or any idea of when we’ll be able to start renovating the current shell of a kitchen. But clearly, as soon as we do, I’ll be ready. Here are some items that I’ve been eyeing to create my dream cottage kitchen, from cookware to essential utensils. I dipped my toe in with the Always Pot and Pan for our London flat, and when they announced a sale, I went all-in on everything. Plates, glasses, accessories, you name it. Piles of Our Place boxes surround me as I type, thanks to my own ridiculous lack of foresight. We probably won’t have a kitchen to place these in for another six months, at minimum. Do I care? No. Another piece that will definitely hang in the heart of our home is a beautiful custom painting of the cottage. It was a gift from my best friend, and she found Divine Print Studio on Etsy. The artist is based in the UK, but ships worldwide. While I’m hoping to go vintage in the sitting room, I’m finding Ruggable extremely appealing for the kitchen. Durable, washable, and with some perfect patterns for the cottagecore vibe? Sign me up. Even if you’re not based in the UK or traveling here anytime soon, these brands have some major cottagecore inspo worth checking out. I love Matilda Goad for linens, Cutter Brooks for decor, Domestic Science for their beautiful vintage finds, and Mrs. Alice for all my tablescape needs. I also cannot get enough of Hogben Pottery! Enter: the Lacanche Beaune. It has the look of a country cooking range, but it functions like a regular oven. We still haven’t purchased it, so there is time to change my mind, but I’m probably not going to. The Beaune is just so pretty. After years of cooking in rental flats full of appliances we didn’t pick out ourselves, this is where I want to splurge.
