Thanks for your comments everyone. We've taken your advice (Luke and NH) and changed the island to a rectangle (1200 x 3000). We lose one breakfast bar seat but gain storage and dining room space plus it shortens the distances from the island to the cooktops. It also removes the need for a corner carousel. We're much happier with this result. Dairy_maid, we've done what you suggested and walked through some common tasks. Overall it works reasonably well although we may keep some coffee spoons and butter knives in the scullery drawers for morning toast and coffee. We've also invested in a "silent" rangehood which has the motor on the outside of the house behind the fridge and we've upgraded the scullery sink to one that is 600 x 400 (internal size). Fabrication starts tomorrow. Woohoo. Once again, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. The design has been significantly improved with your input.

The kids have finally flown the coop, this is the PRIME of your Life! This is the time to choose the things you love - after all - you have earned it! It's also a time to prepare for the long term and a well functioning space, for your changing future. Personalise it to your taste and needs and buy the style you love. Whether it's the lack of being able to bend into low cabinets, overhead cabinetry simply being inaccessible, choosing materials that are suitable for failing eyesight or arthritic hands. There are many things to consider with the knowledge that our bodies won’t get any younger. Your kitchen design is important - make sure you get it right - for YOU! There are a few things to consider: Height of appliances As you head into the golden years, it's better to incorporate a wall oven tower into your kitchen design than an under bench oven as it eliminates a lot of bending down and twisting. It's much easier to pull a heavy dish out of an oven at waist height than it is nearer to the floor, and there will no doubt be plenty of that when the kids and grandkids pop around for a Sunday roast! The humble standard diswasher is an appliance that you can do away with completely. Don't get me wrong, it's not the time to pick up the dish brush and tea towels! Dish drawers at bench height are far more accessible than a standard dishwasher and because they are smaller they are more economical. If you do have a large family who regularly pop around, you could think about incorporating a double dish drawer for those occasions when there's lots to clean up - and ask the grandkids to empty the bottom drawer. They will love it! Corners and hard to reach places It's a great time to incorporate pull-out hardware in your kitchen design! Using pull-out units in your corners and kitchen cabinetry eliminates the "long lost items right at the back" that are unreachable. It also means everything is right at your fingertips and vastly increases the amount of storage space if you've got a kitchen that's on the smaller side. Drawers instead of cupboards Using drawers in your kitchen instead of cupboards eliminates much of the bending required to grab items out or put them away. Gone are the days of getting down onto your knees to reach items right at the back of your cupboard! Pull out bins It's a great idea to incorporate a pull-out bin in a separate cupboard at bench height. This makes is really easy to pop your rubbish into the bin and wipe the bench clean straight into the bin! Using a smaller bin will also mean there's less weight to handle when emptying. Colours Some colors can really help with eyesight. Use colours that offer you the best chance of finding items on the bench (usually lighter tones) and more muted colours on cabinets - this will hide the odd spill should it be forgotten to clean up straight away too. Lighting Lighting is really important in any kitchen. It's a great idea to spend the time and get a good lighting plan done. Task lighting over the benchtop will really help with meal preparation and clean up. Lighting can be really helpful in your pantry as well. If it's possible, think about bringing natural light in as well. This will ensure better quality of light during the day. Handles Our hands and skin need more protection as we get older, so using a handle without sharp edges will offer great protection for the hands (not to mention our hips as we pass!) Try and choose a handle with a large grip that will ensure arthritic hands can cope to open them. Walking and moving spaces are definitely worth considering if you need to allow for mobility access. Leave a little extra space if it's available. Even if these aren't things you're thinking about right now, having a little extra space to move in the kitchen will ensure the family can all help out when they are visiting! Your kitchen should be all about style, functionality and longevity for this next stage of life, and all the changes that may be associated with that.

Miramar Kitchen Makeover Getting from a Then to a Now takes commitment and we could not be happier for our delightful clients. They tell us they pinch themselves every morning and what an utter privilege it has been to contribute to a space filled with joy. Before: After: As with any meaningful transformation, this one started with thoughtful consideration of space planning. This previously busy space now feels relaxing and spacious whilst also adding a laundry, having more kitchen storage AND accommodating uncluttered display features. It's a great example of the power of a good layout and bringing in the light :-) Before: After: One 21sqm room contains three zones that are cohesive but also occupy a distinct space practical for their function. The new kitchen layout is a galley (meaning no corners), the dining table that was against a wall is now centralised giving access from all sides, and a laundry occupies a corner formally filled with unused fireplace. Before: After: The new layout is a galley style kitchen with the main benchtop extending the full length of the outer wall. It comfortably accommodates space for a long working bench, storage cabinetry, main kitchen appliances, as well as the contained laundry unit. No corner goes wasted with this particular layout. Tall elements such and fridge freezer and pantry are located on the opposite wall so they don’t block light or views. Adjusting the existing windows allowed for maximum bench space and a clear wall for cabinetry, hob and extractor as well as a succinct shape for a feature tile. Before: After: The former kitchen and dining room didn’t utilise the space as efficiently as it could. We removed the fireplace, reconfigured the room layout, added a laundry, tweaked existing windows to allow for a more open and accessible kitchen design and brought more natural light into the space through skylights. Before: After: NEW LAUNDRY The ‘Laundry in a Cupboard’ is in an accessible area with plenty of room around it when in use but able to be shut away and appear as one with the kitchen. SPECIFIC FEATURES • Enclosed cupboard space to fit washing machine and ventless dryer. • Space to accommodate a dirty laundry basket and a laundry basket for clean washing. • Tall and narrow cupboard for ironing board, floor mop and Dyson vacuum cleaner. • Higher additional shelving for infrequently used storage e.g. Christmas decorations. Before: After: SKYLIGHTS The wall was able to be used by deleting an ineffectual window and raising the height of another so a bench to run underneath. The natural light was generously supplemented with the inclusion of three fabulous skylights that bathe the whole space in light. Before: After: For this kitchen, the transformation was quite remarkable. The room went from a worn, dim and makeshift set up to a well functioning, modern and attractive space. Before: After: DISPLAY SHELVES The display shelves on the cabinetry corners facing the table create a comfortable feeling for dining, enhanced by the low feature pendant over the inviting round table. Before: After: AESTHETICS The overall palette aimed to be refreshing and a balance of pretty and smart. Some of the key features: ‘Contemporary character’ achieved through matte surfaces and clean lines. Precise, elegant and simple cabinetry. Colours and materials that balance fresh light walls bathed in natural light with cool and warm in balance. Cool tones from the subtle sage green/grey coloured cabinetry and detail in the marble splashback tiles Light, warm timber tones used on floor, furniture and joinery details. Before: After: PENDANT having low over dining table helps to create an intimate gathering space in an open plan area Before: After: OPEN STORAGE The custom timber joinery designed for the tall open shelving unit and above the sink visually create a sense of the space appearing larger. Purposefully placed on the corner of a block of cabinetry, the tall open shelving doesn’t completely block off the view from the dining area. At the same time the open shelving is useful for placing items and small appliances that are frequently used, adding to the range of storage possibilities within the space.

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