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Before & After: A Fab Townhouse Kitchen Renovation for $55,000
More space, modern finishes and kitchens indoors and out were the priorities for this renovate-to-sell project
Georgia Madden
2 May 2022
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Andrew Stewart.
Answers by George Papallo, director at Papallo Kitchens.
Location: Lane Cove, NSW
Who lives here: The indoor and outdoor kitchens were redesigned as part of a whole-house renovation to sell this property, mostly likely to a small family
Room purpose and size: A 10-square-metre open-plan indoor kitchen and a 2-square-metre outdoor kitchen
Budget: Around AU$55,000 for both
Kitchen designer: Papallo Kitchens
Builder: At-Pace Constructions
Answers by George Papallo, director at Papallo Kitchens.
Location: Lane Cove, NSW
Who lives here: The indoor and outdoor kitchens were redesigned as part of a whole-house renovation to sell this property, mostly likely to a small family
Room purpose and size: A 10-square-metre open-plan indoor kitchen and a 2-square-metre outdoor kitchen
Budget: Around AU$55,000 for both
Kitchen designer: Papallo Kitchens
Builder: At-Pace Constructions
The kitchen before works.
Brief for the indoor kitchen
Our clients wanted to modernise their run-down home with the intention of selling. The kitchen was their priority, which they wanted to update and increase its appeal to a small family.
They also wanted to increase the size of the kitchen and incorporate a hidden laundry.
Brief for the indoor kitchen
Our clients wanted to modernise their run-down home with the intention of selling. The kitchen was their priority, which they wanted to update and increase its appeal to a small family.
They also wanted to increase the size of the kitchen and incorporate a hidden laundry.
What look and feel did the owners want to create?
A modern feel with as much of an open-plan concept as possible.
What were their must-haves?
A modern feel with as much of an open-plan concept as possible.
What were their must-haves?
- A hidden laundry.
- A large pantry.
- Full-size appliances.
A 3D view of the new kitchen.
What did you identify as the main issues?
The limited amount of space. We had to make the kitchen feel as big as possible while fitting in a large pantry, a hidden laundry and full-size appliances.
The old floors were also out of level, which meant that we had to compensate for them with our kick frames so the builder could lay his new flooring up to them and still work with the overall height of the kitchen.
What did you identify as the main issues?
The limited amount of space. We had to make the kitchen feel as big as possible while fitting in a large pantry, a hidden laundry and full-size appliances.
The old floors were also out of level, which meant that we had to compensate for them with our kick frames so the builder could lay his new flooring up to them and still work with the overall height of the kitchen.
The kitchen and laundry floor plan.
What did you do?
We gutted the original kitchen and designed and installed new kitchen cabinets and stone benchtops.
What did you do?
We gutted the original kitchen and designed and installed new kitchen cabinets and stone benchtops.
Was there anything you had to work around?
Yes, the original sliding door, which had to stay. We designed the breakfast bar’s stone benchtop to come past it.
Yes, the original sliding door, which had to stay. We designed the breakfast bar’s stone benchtop to come past it.
Where did most of the AU$55,000 budget go?
On the cabinetry and hardware.
Browse more inspiring images of small Australian kitchens on Houzz
On the cabinetry and hardware.
Browse more inspiring images of small Australian kitchens on Houzz
Where did you splurge?
On an integrated fridge. We made this decision to give the kitchen a more modern and seamless look.
On an integrated fridge. We made this decision to give the kitchen a more modern and seamless look.
Tell us about the new palette in the indoor kitchen
It’s a mix of white two-pack polyurethane cabinetry with timber-veneer detailing and Caesarstone benchtops.
It’s a mix of white two-pack polyurethane cabinetry with timber-veneer detailing and Caesarstone benchtops.
The outdoor area before works.
Brief for the outdoor kitchen
A small, simple barbecue area.
With limited space for the outdoor kitchen, we just tried to create a simple, functional area where the future owners could cook and entertain outside.
What was here previously?
Nothing.
Brief for the outdoor kitchen
A small, simple barbecue area.
With limited space for the outdoor kitchen, we just tried to create a simple, functional area where the future owners could cook and entertain outside.
What was here previously?
Nothing.
Tell us about the new palette in the outdoor kitchen
We used compact laminate doors, laminated-plywood carcasses and a stone benchtop.
We used compact laminate doors, laminated-plywood carcasses and a stone benchtop.
Key design aspects
Indoor kitchen colour palette:
Indoor kitchen colour palette:
- Two-pack polyurethane cabinetry finished in Dulux Vivid White satin finish.
- Ventech Euro Oak matt-finish veneer.
- Caesarstone Empira White benchtops.
- Cabinetry in Polytec Oyster Grey 13-millimetre compact laminate.
- Benchtop in Caesarstone Atlantic Salt.
- BeefEater barbecue.
What do you think made the biggest difference in this renovation?
The pantry, because it is big enough for a small family and the timber veneer, which breaks up all the white.
Your turn
Are you as impressed with this small kitchen makeover as we are? 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
See another great kitchen transformation here with this Before & After: From Goer to Whoa, a Kitchen Reborn
The pantry, because it is big enough for a small family and the timber veneer, which breaks up all the white.
Your turn
Are you as impressed with this small kitchen makeover as we are? 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
See another great kitchen transformation here with this Before & After: From Goer to Whoa, a Kitchen Reborn
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