Renovating
Room Of The Week
Before & After
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Before & After: A Scandi-Style Kitchen in NZ That's Light & Airy
See this sweet, bright kitchen and dining space in Wellington, which had environmental concerns at the heart of its plan
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
My client wanted a total overhaul of the space to allow for their growing family. It needed to:
My client wanted a total overhaul of the space to allow for their growing family. It needed to:
- Flow well.
- Be light and bright.
- Have a Scandi feel.
- Include plenty of storage.
- Encompass two spaces for eating, including bench seating.
- Have a desk space for the children to do their homework.
Looking to transform a tired space? Find an interior designer on Houzz and read testimonials from previous clients
The kitchen before works.
They also wanted the renovation to be environmentally centred to ensure their refurbishment wasn’t going to cause unnecessary damage to the environment or create masses of waste in landfill. That meant we chose natural and environmentally accredited materials, or hardwearing and durable materials and fixtures for longevity.
We included space for plants and ensured we had the ability to reduce waste during the build. We also gave any unwanted items to charity and the existing kitchen was sold online along with the old appliances.
They also wanted the renovation to be environmentally centred to ensure their refurbishment wasn’t going to cause unnecessary damage to the environment or create masses of waste in landfill. That meant we chose natural and environmentally accredited materials, or hardwearing and durable materials and fixtures for longevity.
We included space for plants and ensured we had the ability to reduce waste during the build. We also gave any unwanted items to charity and the existing kitchen was sold online along with the old appliances.
Starting point
The client provided some inspirational images. They also had a lot of gorgeous NZ artworks, plus some existing furniture and objects they were keen to retain, so we based the design around these.
The client provided some inspirational images. They also had a lot of gorgeous NZ artworks, plus some existing furniture and objects they were keen to retain, so we based the design around these.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Materials palette:
Colour palette:
- White and blond timber with a hint of colour, and I introduced a soft sage green through the tiles.
Materials palette:
- Plytech Birch Decor ply timber detailing.
- Melteca Baikal cupboard and joinery fronts.
- Caesarstone benchtop in Clamshell.
- Country Mist tile, available from Tile Trends.
- Hemptech organic linen drapes.
- Banquette cushion in Benito Greenstone from Warwick Fabrics.
- Dining pendant lights from Mr Ralph in Fred coloured glass.
- Dining chairs and barstools supplied by the client.
The kitchen before works.
What was your thinking behind the arrangement of furniture and fixtures?
To keep costs down and reduce waste impact, I worked within the existing footprint of the kitchen. I opened up the original U-shape and introduced a large island to prevent any pinch points when the family was using the space at the same time.
What was your thinking behind the arrangement of furniture and fixtures?
To keep costs down and reduce waste impact, I worked within the existing footprint of the kitchen. I opened up the original U-shape and introduced a large island to prevent any pinch points when the family was using the space at the same time.
My client had originally wanted a butler’s pantry, but I removed that from the plan and created a hidden pantry tucked behind some pocket doors, giving them the same volume of storage without the need for an additional ‘room’ to be built.
Browse more brilliant U-shaped kitchens on Houzz
Browse more brilliant U-shaped kitchens on Houzz
I then mirrored the L-shape of the kitchen with a large banquette seating area to allow the family to have large get- togethers, have space for homework and reading or working comfortably, as well as additional storage underneath.
The kitchen before works.
What challenges did you have to work around?
This kitchen was a breeze. My client was really receptive, knew their likes and dislikes and was decisive, which made the design process really smooth.
What challenges did you have to work around?
This kitchen was a breeze. My client was really receptive, knew their likes and dislikes and was decisive, which made the design process really smooth.
Why do you think this room works?
Without altering the footprint, the space now feels twice the size. As soon as you enter the kitchen and dining area you are hit by how light and bright it is, showcasing the views all around.
From the feedback I have had, I know the family love the space and enjoy the ease of working in the kitchen, relaxing on the banquette or just socialising at the island. It’s a really fantastic, contemporary family space.
Your turn
Which ideas would you borrow from this kitchen? 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 room renovations with this Melbourne kitchen makeover – Before & After: A Quietly Quality Kitchen That Kept Its Layout
Without altering the footprint, the space now feels twice the size. As soon as you enter the kitchen and dining area you are hit by how light and bright it is, showcasing the views all around.
From the feedback I have had, I know the family love the space and enjoy the ease of working in the kitchen, relaxing on the banquette or just socialising at the island. It’s a really fantastic, contemporary family space.
Your turn
Which ideas would you borrow from this kitchen? 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 room renovations with this Melbourne kitchen makeover – Before & After: A Quietly Quality Kitchen That Kept Its Layout
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Location: Wellington, NZ
Who lives here: A family of four with teenage children
Room purpose and size: Kitchen and dining area
Approximate budget: I worked on the entire house, but reworking the kitchen and dining space was approximately NZ$60,000 (AU$55,600)