Why the Best Kitchens Aren’t Perfect

Welcome to Creative Digest, a weekly peek inside the world of Estro Studio—an interior design and creative agency founded by two women with incredible taste and a love for all things design. Each week, they’re sharing what’s inspiring them right now—from color palettes to flea market finds.

The kitchen is often the heart of the home—a place where life unfolds in all its beautiful messiness. As designers, we have the privilege of dreaming up custom cabinetry and creating thoughtful storage, but lately, we’ve been inspired to embrace abundance and the rituals of everyday living.

Kitchens aren’t meant to be sterile or pristine; they’re meant to be expressive and inviting. They’re where meals are shared, laughter spills over, impromptu dance parties happen, and the comforting buzz of people gathering fills the air. There’s profound beauty in imperfection—especially in a kitchen that reflects the natural rhythm of real life.

Why We’re Obsessed with European Kitchens

We're currently inspired by European kitchens where nothing is too precious, yet everything feels intentional. In many European cultures, meals are rituals—slow, intentional, and joyful. Think copper pots on display, lemons tossed in a ceramic bowl, wine bottles lined up beside olive oils, fresh herbs in a jar by the window. These kitchens feel alive. Full of energy, warmth, and the subtle chaos that comes with real life.

Instead of chasing trends, European kitchens often evolve over time. Mismatched chairs, collected dishware, bold range ovens—they reflect personal style and functionality. It’s this individuality and timelessness that make them so magnetic.

Show Off Your Tools

When your tools are beautiful and within reach, their colors energize you, and tell a story—you’re more likely to linger, to experiment, to turn a simple meal into a little ritual. It becomes less about rushing through a recipe and more about being present—even romantic—with your daily life.

Let It Be Layered

One of our favorite ways to add soul to a kitchen? Layering it with collected, personal touches. Framed postcards from beloved restaurants, flea market oil paintings casually leaning against the backsplash, and drippy candlesticks that feel both romantic and lived-in. Mismatched coffee mugs stay out on open shelves, ready for use. Tea towels add a soft, textural layer, and café curtains let sunlight pour in just so.

Maybe there's a magnet or two on the fridge that makes you smile. Maybe your dish soap lives in a clay vessel by the sink. Wooden utensils rest in a handmade vessel. A dough bowl overflows with tomatoes and lemons, while onions and garlic get their own quiet corner on the counter.

It’s Not Meant to Be Perfect

There’s an honesty to it all—not too perfect, not too precious. We’re drawn to that. It’s why we love a glossy red range from Lacanche, a stack of Dansk enameled pots by the stove, Sabre utensils on the table, or a set of hand-thrown mixing bowls that feel as artistic as they are practical.

The unfiltered kitchen is not just about design—it’s a daily rhythm, a source of inspiration, and a reminder that beauty lives in the everyday. It’s about creating a space that supports your rhythm, sparks creativity, and reminds you that a home doesn’t have to be polished to be beautiful. Sometimes, the most inspiring places are the ones that simply feel like you.