Butterfliesare free

Renovating a home often provides a long-anticipated opportunity to correct shortcomings in the original design. This was certainly the case for Fiona Lennox, the owner of this rural property, who felt her English-manor style house did not take full advantage of its country setting.

"The house needed more light, and more shade and shelter, too," she says. "Converting to a Cape Cod style allowed us to add verandas and increase the number of windows."

The kitchen was completely gutted as part of the whole-house project. No trace remains of the exposed brick walls and slate floor which made this room seem dark and small. Major structural changes were not required to the kitchen itself, but new floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room make the space light and airy, and give views of the picturesque outdoors.

An open-plan layout is typical of this popular American look and suits informal modern lifestyles. It means the kitchen can be seen from other areas, so cabinetry was constructed to match panelling and fittings used throughout the house. The heavy wood cabinets resemble furniture and conceal major appliances.

One appliance was not concealed a freestanding oven takes pride of place in a recess and mantel, built to look like a chimney in a traditional colonial kitchen.

The soft pinks, greens and taupe of a favourite dinner set inspired the colour scheme of the whole house, the owner says. The Roman blind over the kitchen window is a particularly good match, and was found by interior designer Elise Fayers.

Dante timber from South Africa was chosen for its rich brown tones, adding warmth to the colour scheme. It is used on the benchtop of the island, and for the parquet flooring.

Several decorating features were sourced from the United States by the owner. The chandelier above the dining table is fitted with distinctive shades, and makes a subtle contribution to the overall style. Cabinet handles are also authentic American imports.

A large old-fashioned farmhouse sink is set in a benchtop of Staturio marble. This marble is noted for its exceptional whiteness, and harmonises with the extensive white paintwork, a hallmark of the Cape Cod style.

Story by: Jane McKenzie

Photography by: Jamie Cobeldick