A maximalist take on tradition: Kit & Co’s storybook cottage kitchen

In the heart of a 200-year-old cottage, Megan, the creator behind Kit & Co, has crafted a kitchen that feels both deeply personal and timeless. Layered with colour, character and collected details, the space is a celebration of traditional craftsmanship, family life and the beauty of embracing history rather than erasing it. At the centre of the scheme, our Classic Delft tiles create a striking splashback that demonstrates how traditional design can be used in a bold, maximalist way without losing its sense of authenticity.

We spoke with Megan to find out more about the inspiration behind her characterful cottage kitchen and her decision to use Classic Delft tiles in a bold, maximalist way.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and the story behind Kit & Co?

Kit & Co began as a place to document my home renovation journey and the everyday moments that happen alongside it. I’m a mum to two young children, Willow and Kit, and much of what I share is inspired by creating a home that feels welcoming, characterful and full of life for my family.

My passion for interiors really began while renovating our first family home, a magnificent Grade - II listed Georgian property in Edinburgh’s New Town. It was an incredible house, rich with architectural detail and history, and restoring it sparked a fascination with how thoughtful design can honour a building’s past while making it work beautifully for modern family life.

That experience taught me to appreciate craftsmanship, timeless materials and the importance of creating spaces that feel authentic to both the house and the people living in it. Since then, I’ve been endlessly inspired by homes with soul and stories to tell.

The cottage is wonderfully quaint, straight out of the pages of a storybook and very different from both the grand proportions of our Georgian property and the modern build that followed, but the philosophy remains the same. I love creating rooms that feel collected rather than decorated, embracing imperfections, and designing spaces that evolve naturally over time. Through Kit & Co, I’ve loved sharing that journey with a community who appreciate homes that are lived in, loved and full of character.

What was your vision for the kitchen renovation, and where did you draw inspiration from when developing the design?

The cottage is 200 years old, so from the beginning I wanted the kitchen to feel as though it had always belonged here. Rather than creating something 'new' in feel or overly polished, I was drawn to the idea of a kitchen that felt collected over time, layered, warm and full of character.

A lot of my inspiration comes from old British cottages, farmhouse kitchens and European interiors where practicality and beauty sit comfortably alongside one another. I love spaces that feel lived in and relaxed; somewhere muddy boots, fresh flowers and family life all feel equally at home. The goal was to create a room that felt cheerful and welcoming, but also timeless enough that it wouldn’t feel tied to a particular trend.

The space features a beautiful mix of yellow, white and blue tones alongside terracotta flooring. How did you approach creating a palette that feels both cohesive and full of character?

The starting point was Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow on the cabinetry. It has such a joyful warmth to it and instantly brought sunshine and cheer into our kitchen space. To balance that richness, I paired it with Off-White on the walls, which keeps everything feeling calm and soft.

The terracotta floor tiles were already in place and became an important anchor for the scheme. I love how the warm earthy tones ground the space, while the blue details in the Delft tiles bring a freshness and sense of tradition. For me, the palette works because every colour feels slightly faded and familiar, rather than overly saturated. Nothing competes for attention; it all feels as though it’s settled comfortably together over time.

How did you balance practicality and everyday living with the aesthetic qualities you wanted to achieve in the kitchen?

As much as I love beautiful interiors, our kitchen is first and foremost a family space - the heartbeat of our cottage. It’s where we gather, cook, do homework, drink coffee and spend most of our day. Every decision had to work hard as well as look beautiful.

Open shelving keeps everyday pieces within easy reach, while the generous worktop gives us space for everything from baking to entertaining. Durable materials were also important, marble worktops that will age gracefully, terracotta floors that don’t mind muddy paws and children, and tiles that can handle the realities of daily life.

I think the most successful rooms are the ones that don’t feel precious. The kitchen needed to be practical enough to live in fully, whilst still feeling special.

What drew you to our Classic Delft collection for your kitchen splashback, and how did they influence the overall look and feel of the space?

The Classic Delft tiles were one of those decisions that immediately felt right. I had always loved traditional Delftware and the storytelling within the individual motifs. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about them.

What I particularly loved about the tiles was that they added pattern and interest without overwhelming the room. The delicate blue illustrations feel charming and understated, while introducing a sense of history that sits beautifully within an old cottage setting.

They became a thread that tied the whole kitchen together, linking the antique brass details, the traditional cabinetry and the softer colour palette. They add personality, but in a quiet and timeless way.

Looking back on your kitchen project, were there any key materials, details or design decisions that helped create a space that feels both timeless and personal?

For me, it was the smaller details that made the biggest difference. Choosing hand-aged brass hardware and lighting instead of anything too shiny or perfect helped the kitchen feel more at ease within the cottage’s wonderfully wonky walls.

The open dresser, antique artwork, collected pottery and baskets all help tell our family’s story and prevent the space from feeling too newly renovated. I also think embracing imperfections was important. Rather than trying to make everything feel pristine, we leaned into the character that already existed.

If there was one guiding principle throughout the project, it was creating a kitchen that felt loved rather than styled. A space with warmth, personality and a sense of permanence, somewhere that feels as though it has always been part of the cottage.

A huge thank you to Megan for sharing the design story behind her characterful, charming kitchen, and the thoughtful journey of selecting each material and detail. Her approach is a reminder that the most enduring spaces are built slowly with intention, personality and a deep connection to place. Discover more of Megan’s home over on Instagram: @kitandco_

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