Before & After: An Affordable Family Kitchen Makeover
A change of surfaces made a world of difference to this New Zealand family kitchen, renovated on a budget
Vanessa Walker
6 April 2020
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
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 Mix Marketing
Answers by Chelsey Mathieson, interior designer, Niche Design Co
Who lives here: A family with three primary school-aged children
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Room purpose and size: A medium-sized kitchen
Budget: NZD$25,000 to $35,000
Answers by Chelsey Mathieson, interior designer, Niche Design Co
Who lives here: A family with three primary school-aged children
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Room purpose and size: A medium-sized kitchen
Budget: NZD$25,000 to $35,000
Brief
My client wanted to modernise both the aesthetic and functional aspect of an existing space in a home they had just purchased. Being a busy family with children, it had to be functional and practical.
The scope of works included a full renovation of the home, including removing and replacing the existing kitchen and laundry; a full repainting, including painting out the timber-sarked ceilings; and resurfacing and polishing the existing concrete floors.
My client wanted to modernise both the aesthetic and functional aspect of an existing space in a home they had just purchased. Being a busy family with children, it had to be functional and practical.
The scope of works included a full renovation of the home, including removing and replacing the existing kitchen and laundry; a full repainting, including painting out the timber-sarked ceilings; and resurfacing and polishing the existing concrete floors.
Replacing the outdoor bar in the same material as the kitchen kept the two spaces aligned and allowed a seamless flow through to the alfresco dining area. The interior island bench is solid oak with a clear lacquer.
Thinking of refreshing your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Thinking of refreshing your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The kitchen before works
Starting point
Black was what the client wanted from the get-go. Laminex Acrylic Soft Touch gave us the option to have black without the hassle of fingerprint marks. We were to retain the polished-concrete floors with existing timber beading, so incorporating timber into the kitchen was a nice easy way to tie this in.
Black was what the client wanted from the get-go. Laminex Acrylic Soft Touch gave us the option to have black without the hassle of fingerprint marks. We were to retain the polished-concrete floors with existing timber beading, so incorporating timber into the kitchen was a nice easy way to tie this in.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Monochromatic with timber accents. We utilised white in the main working areas for the practical aspect, but incorporated black in all of the tall wall units for contrast.
10 Tips for Choosing and Working With a Builder
Colour palette: Monochromatic with timber accents. We utilised white in the main working areas for the practical aspect, but incorporated black in all of the tall wall units for contrast.
10 Tips for Choosing and Working With a Builder
The outdoor area after works
Challenges you worked around
Wanting to incorporate a breakfast bar without closing in the space was achieved by a cantilevered timber breakfast bar. It provides the seating area with the ability to sit either side and it kept the open feel through to the dining room and access to outside.
Add a Servery to Your Kitchen and Make the Living Easy
Challenges you worked around
Wanting to incorporate a breakfast bar without closing in the space was achieved by a cantilevered timber breakfast bar. It provides the seating area with the ability to sit either side and it kept the open feel through to the dining room and access to outside.
Add a Servery to Your Kitchen and Make the Living Easy
The outdoor area before works
The floor plan
Your turn
Tell us what you like most about this kitchen makeover. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Can’t get enough of kitchen makeovers? Read this Before & After: A Rustic-Meets-Chic Kitchen Makeover
Your turn
Tell us what you like most about this kitchen makeover. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Can’t get enough of kitchen makeovers? Read this Before & After: A Rustic-Meets-Chic Kitchen Makeover
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Looks great. The floor is amazing. What era is the house? It reminds me of a 1950s building I've seen, but that floor was terrazzo with brass strip dividers.
@Gill if you're using a kitchen designer & manufacturer for your kitchen you can ask them to incorporate handle-less drawers. I have handle-less drawers & they were built by my kitchen manufacturer. I got an all I one service- design, manufacture & install from @Magic Kitchens & Furniture in Melbourne, Aust :)
Looks great! Neatly combination =)