Modern Cottage Style for the Whole Home: Inside Norton House

Written by Andrew Updated on: Nov 18, 2025 Category The Whole Home

Step inside a gorgeous modern cottage home, full of character and crafted Naked joinery – and be inspired…

‘Modern cottage’ style is often thought of as soft, calm and cosy — but the real magic happens when that understated foundation meets personality, pattern and unexpected touches. Norton House is a lovely example of this balance. Its joinery uses a consistent palette of greens, oak and brass, yet the rooms are full of colour and character: bold wallpapers, patterned textiles and even a pink kitchen island.

Working closely with interior designer Dani Neville, the owners used bespoke Naked cabinetry throughout the kitchen, boot room, utility and bedrooms. The result is a home that feels coherent and warm. And, even though it’s a very distinctive, individual look, it’s full of ideas anyone can borrow.

The Kitchen: Layering colour and making space for expression

Norton House’s kitchen is based on two tones of green cabinetry, close enough to feel gentle but different enough to add depth. This layered palette keeps the room calm, even with the lively elements around it.

And there are lively elements. The kitchen island, for example, is a soft pink — a cheerful contrast that gives the room personality without overwhelming it.

Tip: If you love bold colour but don’t want it to dominate, use it on a single anchor piece such as an island or pantry. Let the surrounding cabinetry stay more muted.

The under-stairs nook becomes a small bar area, with open shelving that follows the slope of the staircase — an easy trick for turning awkward geometry into a purposeful, charming feature.

The Utility: A characterful, practical extension of the kitchen

Utility rooms are usually treated as an afterthought, yet Norton House shows how much difference a good layout makes. Full-depth cupboards hide the laundry; shallower ones further along keep the walkway clear; open shelving stops the room feeling boxed in.

Tip: When planning a small utility, start with the appliances first. Give them the full-depth section they need, then build everything else around slimmer, lighter storage.

Norfolk oak worktops give the room warmth and texture — a reminder that “practical” doesn’t have to mean plain.

Tip: If you're committing to a natural material in the kitchen, repeating it in your utility or boot room creates an easy, instant sense of flow.

The Boot Room: Order with warmth

The boot room occupies a narrow hallway, and the joinery solves the challenges of the space rather than imposing on it. Cabinet depths vary subtly along the run, giving you proper storage without closing in the walkway.

A simple oak bench and Shaker panelling keep the look tidy, with neat hooks and cubbies making everyday organisation feel effortless.

Tip: In awkward or narrow areas, let cabinetry follow the architecture rather than fight it. Changing depths, adding a bench, or breaking up a run with open sections can make the space feel designed, not squeezed.

The Bedrooms: Calm foundations and expressive finishes

Upstairs, the fitted wardrobes are painted to blend with the walls, or glazed with softly aged mirror glass. But the rooms themselves are full of energy and personality.

A small bedroom has bold yellow-and-white striped walls, a joyful counterpoint to the calm green joinery.

The main bedroom uses a dramatic scenic wallpaper, its deep greens echoing the wardrobe colour while the imagery fills the room with life. Textiles — quilts, cushions, throws — bring still more pattern and patchwork character.

Tip: If you’re worried bold wallpaper or colour will feel chaotic, pair it with simple cabinetry in a natural, earthy tone. The contrast makes both look better.

Bringing it all together: Modern cottage with personality

What ties Norton House together is a consistent design ‘rhythm’, rather than a uniformity.

The joinery carries an underlying theme: greens, oak, brass, clean Shaker lines. But the house is alive with bolder flourishes: scenic wallpapers, patterned blinds, rich textiles, artwork, and even a tapestry in the sitting room that mirrors the woodland imagery in the main bedroom.

So ‘modern cottage’ doesn’t mean muted: the best homes balance solid craftsmanship with expressive details. Start with a calm foundation — a coherent palette for your joinery and key materials — and then layer on the colours, patterns and objects that make a space feel like yours.

That balance of order and individuality is what gives Norton House its character, and what makes modern cottage style so appealing.