How A Former Bravo Designer Brought British Kitchen Design To An American Home
Former Bravo designer Jeffrey Alan Marks set out to make his historic Connecticut kitchen a space where family and friends could gather. Using a mix of cheerful colors, bespoke cabinetry, and collected accents, he blended classic and modern elements.
The result is a kitchen that feels both inviting and uniquely personal.
1. A Kitchen Built For Gathering
Designer Jeffrey Alan Marks set out to redesign his historic Connecticut home’s kitchen with one goal in mind. Creating a place worth gathering in. He wanted the entire home to function as a central space for his family.
In his book, Jeffrey shares the transformation of the expansive house into a cozy country escape. Along with behind-the-scenes stories from other design projects.
The kitchen’s new look reflects both his love for traditional design and his expertise with color. He created a space that feels inviting and personal.
2. A Tricolor Transformation
While Jeffrey preserved many historic details from his 1928 home, the kitchen itself required a complete renovation. He started with glossy white nickel-gap paneling on the walls and ceiling to create a crisp backdrop.
From there, he added high-contrast colors to the cabinetry and built-ins, using hues of cheery celadon, blush pink, and dusty blue. These tones bring energy and personality to the space without overwhelming its charm.
The palette keeps the kitchen bright yet distinctive, proving that white walls don’t have to mean a boring design. Together, the combination of colors creates a balance between classic elegance and modern vibrancy.
3. An English-Inspired Layout
A devoted fan of British style, Jeffrey worked with the kitchen design firm Plain English Design to achieve the look he wanted. He chose an unfitted layout, inspired by the cozy feel of a traditional larder.
Instead of upper cabinets, open shelving and a stand-alone cupboard keep the room airy and approachable. To make the most of the long layout, the team installed two butcher block–topped islands in a soft green shade.
These islands provide generous prep space while built-in drawers add both storage and refinement. The result is a layout that feels collected, practical, and full of personality.
4. Layered Accents And Warm Finishes
Collected accents play a big role in the kitchen’s character. Pieces from Jeffrey’s Ozark Roadside Tourist Pottery collection add whimsy, while a colorful painting of an Italian fish market anchors the back wall.
Butcher block countertops introduce warmth, contrasting with the cool Carrara marble and polished nickel hardware. A marble farmhouse sink and oak-handled nickel faucet nod to the home’s agrarian roots.
Above, antique lanterns with a verdigris finish bring history and scale to the space. Customized with rope cord covers, these oversized fixtures make a bold statement in the long kitchen.
5. A Stove With Style And Function
The cooking area is anchored by a six-burner stainless steel range framed in blue cabinetry. Behind it, a counter-to-ceiling Carrara marble backsplash adds elegance and a clean backdrop.
A nickel-gap wood clad vent hood ties into the cottage-inspired elements while feeling timeless. On the counter, a mortar and pestle along with other mismatched containers create a collected, lived-in vibe.
Bespoke touches like curvy shelf brackets and mesh cabinet door insets add subtle, custom details. Together, these elements create a functional and visually striking space for both cooking and display.
6. A Two-Tone Connection To The Dining Room
A green pass-through bar area links the kitchen to the dining room, which features a hand-painted pastoral mural from de Gournay. Large windows between the spaces allow for natural light and an open feel while maintaining separate functions.
The blush pink interior of the step-back cabinet was a compromise with the couple’s young daughter, who wanted the whole space painted in the hue. This pink also makes an appearance in the nearby pantry for a cohesive touch.
In the bar area, a zinc-topped wicker island, once a French laundry basket, adds texture and originality. The combination of color, light, and unique materials ensures the space feels both welcoming and distinctive.
