I think it can be stunning! I agree with cabinets to the ceiling except use cdrown molding for the English look you desire. By all means good lighting however to achieve the look do not use harsh lighting. Have dimmers and have a smallish lamp on one of your countertops for ambient lighting. I do suggest Carrera marble if you go grey or hammered stainless (to resemble pewter) if you go dark blue for your countertops and pl;ease consider hanging some antique mirror. I have a wonderful photo of a tiny deep blue kitchen and cannot seem to lay my hands on it. If I find it soon I will post it for you. I hope you will go for it and post photos! Hope this helps. :)

Two ideas. Both times I would block up the entrance to the second half of the room to make more usuable space. Both ideas have a island with a dining table attached. Obviously these drawings are not to scale but everything should fit in. I would utilise the kitchen cuboards for utilities- intergrated appliances. If you can dont forget to use the space under your stairs as well. Also use the long wall at the bottom of the stairs for extra storage and alcoves.

Depends a lot on what you like really. However, if you have low ceilings as we do in an 1850 cottage, you can make the wall look taller by painting your coving the same as your walls, same with the skirting. If your ceilings are of standard height 7'6" or higher then there's no hard and fast rule, just what you may prefer. It's also quite fashionable these days to paint in that manner and also to paint the doors the same colour as the walls for a seemless look .

Hi all, any suggestions on what would look well as a replacement here? I want to keep the insert stove but the hearth is broken and needs replacing and also not mad about the cast iron surround. I feel it is too high in this room where our ceiling is quite low. I’d say our style is quite country cottage. Also, I find the lack of alcoves on either side quite hard to work with in terms of styling the room.