Room Of The Week
Popular Houzz Series
Popular Houzz Series
Appears in
See also
Fun HouzzFrom The ProsHouzz Around The WorldProject Of The WeekStickybeak Of The WeekQuizzesCreatives At HomeAt Home With...Best Of The WeekRoom Of The WeekDesigner Profiles3 Things I Wish My Clients KnewHow Do I...Buyer's GuidesExpert EyeInnovation AlertSo Your Style Is...Spotted!Picture PerfectBefore & AfterBudget BreakdownHome TimeMade Local
Before & After: '80s Timber to Modern Monochrome Kitchen Makeover
Dulux Natural White on smooth surfaces and Black Caviar on panelling makes this a strikingly modern kitchen
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
This was an entire home renovation. For the kitchen the client wanted to open up the main living and dining area to the kitchen to create a sense of space and cohesion. They wanted a large entertainer’s kitchen with a hidden butler’s pantry.
We were able to make better use of the space by removing a wall and bi-fold doors separating the two areas, changing the orientation of the kitchen and making better use of the old family room by introducing a hidden butler’s pantry.
Browse more exquisite kitchens by talented Australian designers
This was an entire home renovation. For the kitchen the client wanted to open up the main living and dining area to the kitchen to create a sense of space and cohesion. They wanted a large entertainer’s kitchen with a hidden butler’s pantry.
We were able to make better use of the space by removing a wall and bi-fold doors separating the two areas, changing the orientation of the kitchen and making better use of the old family room by introducing a hidden butler’s pantry.
Browse more exquisite kitchens by talented Australian designers
The kitchen before works.
Starting point
Because this renovation extended to the whole house, we were able to create a completely new look and feel for the home. It was built in the early 1980s and had never been previously renovated or updated.
Starting point
Because this renovation extended to the whole house, we were able to create a completely new look and feel for the home. It was built in the early 1980s and had never been previously renovated or updated.
The kitchen after works.
The design brief called for a bold and contemporary entertainer’s kitchen with ample storage and natural light. We wanted to ensure the overall colour palette was one that wouldn’t date but still pushed the boundaries.
The design brief called for a bold and contemporary entertainer’s kitchen with ample storage and natural light. We wanted to ensure the overall colour palette was one that wouldn’t date but still pushed the boundaries.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Browse more inspiring contemporary Australian kitchens
Colour palette:
- Dulux Natural White on walls, ceilings and trims.
- Dulux Black Caviar on V-groove wall panelling from EasyCraft.
- Newport tiles in Matt White from TileCloud.
Browse more inspiring contemporary Australian kitchens
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- The Linear light above the island bench is ASP Forton Custom 3m from About Space Lighting.
- Tangent Stools from RJ Living.
- Pantry door handle is the Kintore Pull in matt black by Lo & Co.
- All appliances are Fisher & Paykel.
The adjacent living area before works.
What challenges did you work around?
The home already had a functional floor plan so the main architectural challenge was making better use of the kitchen and living areas. The old kitchen had quite a bit of wasted space and was disconnected from the front living area.
What challenges did you work around?
The home already had a functional floor plan so the main architectural challenge was making better use of the kitchen and living areas. The old kitchen had quite a bit of wasted space and was disconnected from the front living area.
A double-sided Escea fireplace wrapped in a terrazzo hearth sits between the kitchen and living area.
Why do you think this room works?
Orientating the kitchen to face out onto the alfresco area allows better functionality between the two spaces and more cohesion between the living and dining spaces.
Painting the bold black V-groove panels in Dulux Black Caviar, as opposed to using two-pack polyurethane, gives the option to paint them another colour in the future if desired.
The hidden butler’s pantry, with additional dishwasher and sink, is perfect for hiding away any mess. The 3.8-metre-long island bench is ideal for meal preparation, casual family dining and for entertaining family and friends.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Catch up on more great transformations here with this Before & After: A Gentle Makeover for a Queensland Apartment
Why do you think this room works?
Orientating the kitchen to face out onto the alfresco area allows better functionality between the two spaces and more cohesion between the living and dining spaces.
Painting the bold black V-groove panels in Dulux Black Caviar, as opposed to using two-pack polyurethane, gives the option to paint them another colour in the future if desired.
The hidden butler’s pantry, with additional dishwasher and sink, is perfect for hiding away any mess. The 3.8-metre-long island bench is ideal for meal preparation, casual family dining and for entertaining family and friends.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Catch up on more great transformations here with this Before & After: A Gentle Makeover for a Queensland Apartment
Location: Templestowe, Victoria
Who lives here: A family with two primary-school age daughters
Room purpose and size: A 12-square-metre kitchen and a seven-square-metre butler’s pantry