Revamped Elegance: Kate Spiers’ Pinterest-Inspired Brighton Kitchen Makeover

Content creator Kate Spiers (@katespiers) made the move from the city to the seaside in the summer of 2023, upping sticks from Glasgow with her husband Jordan and their young daughter, Dahlia. ‘We bought an Edwardian house in Brighton that had recently been renovated,’ she says. ‘It was ideal, as we really didn’t want to take on a massive project with a six-month-old baby.’

When they moved in, they soon realised the kitchen wasn’t quite right. Its dark features felt cold and uninviting in the north-facing light, and the sparse cabinetry meant clutter piled up on the worktops. If you are among Kate’s 313,000 Instagram followers, you will quickly spot the problem; her style is all about femininity, nostalgia and a devotion to everyday rituals made beautiful – cold and sparse simply wouldn’t cut it.

What followed was a full gut renovation, balancing thoughtful planning with moments of spontaneity. She worked closely with Charlotte Dubery, senior kitchen designer at Harvey Jones Hove to shape the layoutwhile many of the finishing touches came together instinctively; those fabulous patio doors were painted blue at the last minute.

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The result? Pure nostalgia meets Pinterest polish…

ANNA STATHAKI

Who lives here

Kate Spiers is a content creator and former host of BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year. She lives with her husband and young daughter in Brighton.

The kitchen before

‘The layout didn’t work for our family, and it felt so dark that we didn’t want to spend any time in there.’

Kate Spiers

The kitchen before

The inspiration

‘I took inspiration from anywhere I could, which is easy when you live in Brighton. I feel we’ve interpreted the seaside in quite a soft way. I’ve always loved the aesthetic of Nancy Meyers‘ films too because they always feature such gorgeous houses.’

The plan

Kate’s priority was to brighten up the kitchen and make it more practical for day-to-day living, with storage solutions and extra surfaces top of the list. She approached bespoke kitchen manufacturer Harvey Jones to help. ‘I knew what I wanted for the space and have renovated before, but it was so useful having a dedicated team to bounce ideas off,’ Kate explains.

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Her first instinct was to address the large sash window that was half obscured by the kitchen counters. She planned an integrated, L-shaped banquette that would sit below the windowsill, inviting in more natural light and forming part of the new dining nook.

To counter the cool, north-facing light, Kate put together a colour palette of warm whites, gentle blues and soft greens, including Harvey Jones’ own Shore hue on the cabinets and light-reflecting Zellige tiles.

Get the look: Kate’s Pinterest-perfect kitchen

Tilbury Rattan Bar Stool

Credit: Neptune

Always Pan

Credit: Our Place

Gwendolyn Emerald Fabric

Credit: Linwood

Parma Gray Estate Emulsion

Credit: Farrow & Ball

Rattan Wave Pendant Shade

Credit: Matilda Goad

Large stoneware bowl

Credit: H&M

The process

‘We completely reconfigured the layout, which was quite messy as we had to move lots of plumbing and wiring around,’ explains Kate.

The existing appliances were integrated for a seamless look, and she managed to triple the amount of storage with additional cabinetry and a central island: ‘The storage has done wonders for us. Everything can be hidden away in drawers or in the tall pantry cupboards. I love having things on display too, so it means anything that is out on show feels that little bit more styled and intentional.’

ANNA STATHAKI

A custom-made door opens the space to the garden beyond, and Kate made a last-minute decision to paint them in the same chalky blue used throughout the rest of the house. ‘The room now seems like it gets more sunlight, it feels so much brighter even though we didn’t change anything structurally.’

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Biggest splurge

‘The custom banquette came in at just under £1,500. I had to buy a lot of fabric and fitting materials. Our upholsterer did such a good job – the blue velvet piping is just so lovely.’

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Best bargain

‘Our engineered oak flooring was the best value buy of the whole project. It cost £1,200 all in and reminds me of a French chateau.’

Biggest challenge

‘I arranged for a carpenter I had worked with previously to come down from Glasgow. Everyone thinks I’m ridiculous, but when you find someone you trust, it’s worth it!’

The design hero

‘The open shelving is a highlight for me. The mix of glassware, china and cookbooks creates a lovely moment of colourful clutter in an otherwise serene space.’

ANNA STATHAKI

Sourcebook

ANNA STATHAKI

Follow House Beautiful on Tiktok, Instagram and Pinterest

James was the former Homes Editor at Good Housekeeping.

What specific Pinterest boards or themes inspired Kate’s coastal charm kitchen design?

The Vision: Coastal charm Meets Modern Functionality

Kate Spiers, a brighton-based homeowner, recently completed a stunning kitchen makeover heavily influenced by her Pinterest boards. The goal? To transform a dated, cramped space into a bright, airy, and functional kitchen reflecting a relaxed coastal aesthetic. This wasn’t a complete gut renovation, but a clever combination of cosmetic updates and strategic replacements, proving a beautiful kitchen doesn’t always require a massive budget. The project focused on maximizing light, creating a more open feel, and incorporating natural materials – key elements driving current kitchen design trends.

Deconstructing the “Before”: Identifying Key Problem Areas

Before diving into the conversion,understanding the initial challenges is crucial. Kate’s kitchen suffered from:

Dark Cabinets: Heavy, dark wood cabinets made the space feel closed in and lacked visual appeal.

Limited Natural Light: A small window and lack of reflective surfaces contributed to a gloomy atmosphere.

Inefficient Layout: The existing layout wasn’t optimized for workflow, making cooking and meal preparation cumbersome.

Outdated hardware: Old-fashioned cabinet pulls and knobs detracted from the overall aesthetic.

Lack of storage: Insufficient storage solutions led to countertop clutter.

These issues are common in many older homes, making Kate’s makeover relatable and inspiring for homeowners facing similar challenges. Many seek kitchen renovation ideas to address these very problems.

The Palette: Embracing Coastal Neutrals & Textures

The cornerstone of the makeover was a shift to a light and airy color palette. Kate opted for:

Cabinet Paint: A soft, warm white (specifically, Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White) was applied to the existing cabinets, instantly brightening the space. Repainting cabinets is a cost-effective alternative to full kitchen cabinet replacement.

wall Color: A complementary off-white shade was used on the walls to create a seamless and cohesive look.

Worktops: Existing laminate worktops where retained but refreshed with a new, lighter-toned edging.Consider quartz countertops or granite countertops for a more luxurious upgrade.

Splashback: A textured white tile splashback added visual interest and a subtle coastal vibe.Kitchen tile ideas are plentiful on platforms like Pinterest and Houzz.

The use of neutral tones allowed for pops of texture through accessories and natural materials.

Key Updates: From Cabinets to Countertops

The transformation involved several key updates:

1. Cabinet Refresh: As mentioned, repainting the cabinets was a game-changer. Kate meticulously prepped the surfaces, applied primer, and then two coats of high-quality paint. New, brushed nickel hardware completed the look.
2. Lighting enhancement: Under-cabinet lighting was installed to illuminate work surfaces and create a warmer ambiance. A new pendant light above the sink added a focal point. Good kitchen lighting is essential for both functionality and aesthetics.
3. open Shelving Integration: replacing some upper cabinets with open shelving created a more open and airy feel. styled with plants,cookbooks,and decorative items,the shelves added personality and visual interest.
4. Storage Solutions: Internal cabinet organizers,pull-out drawers,and a pantry system were implemented to maximize storage space and improve functionality. Kitchen storage ideas are crucial for maintaining a clutter-free habitat.
5. flooring Considerations: While the existing flooring was in good condition, a large area rug in a natural fiber (jute or sisal) was added to soften the space and reinforce the coastal theme.

pinterest Inspiration: Bringing the Boards to Life

Kate’s Pinterest boards were instrumental in guiding the design choices. She drew inspiration from:

Coastal Kitchens: Images of bright, airy kitchens with natural materials and a relaxed vibe.

Shaker Style Cabinets: The clean lines and classic aesthetic of Shaker-style cabinets.

Open shelving Displays: Creative ways to style open shelving with plants, cookbooks, and decorative items.

Neutral Color Palettes: Combinations of whites, creams, and grays that create a calming and inviting atmosphere.

Utilizing Pinterest as a visual mood board helped Kate refine her vision and ensure a cohesive design. Many homeowners use Pinterest kitchen design to gather ideas.

Budget Breakdown: Affordable Elegance

Kate’s makeover was remarkably budget-pleasant. Here’s a rough breakdown of the costs:

Cabinet Paint & Supplies: £200

Hardware: £100

Lighting: £150

Shelving: £80

Storage Organizers: £120

Splashback Tiles: £150

Rug: £100

*Total: Approximately £90