A century of renovations has transformed this once-simple early 1900s chauffeur’s cottage into a cozy beach escape that now plays host every summer to designer Max Sinsteden and his husband, Jordan Rundell, and son, Everett. Situated on a picturesque Rhode Island waterway, their collected cottage embodies lazy summer ease while functioning seamlessly for entertaining. Below, Max shares how he reinvented the 125-square-foot kitchen into a fresh-feeling, hardworking space without sacrificing any of its original small-space charm.
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Creamy Cabinetry
To make his own mark on the home’s 125-square-foot space, Max installed new soft white-painted cabinetry but kept the existing footprint and charming beadboard walls to give the cottage kitchen new life while keeping its character intact.
Striking Tile
When it came time to replace the kitchen’s flooring, Max was heavily inspired by Victorian-era Minton tiles. A custom design of blue and cream Marmoleum—a chicer, more sustainable alternative to linoleum—brings coastal color with the durability needed for a seaside cottage.
Smart Storage
“We entertain often and cook nearly everything from scratch,” says Max. “So the kitchen needs to function at the highest level.” His solution: incorporating stealth storage into the often-ignored toe-kick space. Slim drawers beneath the footed cabinetry now hold serving pieces. Above, brass-bracketed open shelves—cut from the same Ikea butcher block as the countertops—keep everyday dishware within easy reach.
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Accordion Sconces
Warm white walls enhance the kitchen’s natural light, while hardworking retractable accordion sconces ensure that the small space stays nicely lit into the evening.
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Antique Island
A petite bronze-edged, enamel-topped 19th-century worktable—likely once used in a dairy—takes the place of a grand island. In the summer it overflows with assorted produce, including family favorites such as peaches, corn, and tomatoes, all sourced from five nearby farmstands.
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Mixed Metals
The large range is Jordan’s territory when it comes time to cook up a dinner of freshly caught seafood for visiting friends. Max’s longtime collaborators at Kent Steel crafted the brass-banded stainless steel vent hood, making the cottage kitchen feel more inviting than industrial. Copper canisters and antique crocks along the added shelf corral utensils.
Statement Pantry
Painted a brilliant blue, the built-in pantry is as handsome as it is hardworking, thanks to decorative feet that mimic those found on the nearby cabinetry. Unlacquered brass hardware adds even more furniture-like charm.
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Collected Cookware
The utilitarian pegboard—inspired by both Julia Child’s famous kitchen and the garage workstations of Max’s father and grandfather—keeps the family’s pots and pans on display. Max worked with decorative painters to outline each piece so that every pot finds its place, making cleanup a breeze. Many of the antique pieces are souvenirs from trips to France and England, while the newer copper pieces were handcrafted right up the road in East Greenwich by Jim Hamann.
Entertaining Étagère
Impromptu dinner parties are common at the cottage. A stately antique étagère lined with wood caddies filled with grab-and-go cutlery and a selection of blue-and-white vases, platters, and plates—part of Max’s “rather extensive” collection—allows for quick table-setting and makes a pretty focal point.
Bevy of Baskets
The small entertaining parlor, which frequently hosts game nights around the antique card table, is wrapped with dozens of vintage baskets. The over-the-top texture is a nod to Max’s mentor, designer Charlotte Moss, and his mother, who were both basket collectors. A gingham skirt along the bar conceals appliances and beverages, while the custom-designed Marmoleum floor pattern reinforces the check motif on a larger scale.
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Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
