Room of the Week: A Budget-Smart Kitchen and Laundry in Sage
Warm, characterful and sophisticated – see how a designer worked magic with a AU$45k budget for a kitchen and laundry
Georgia Madden
27 June 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 Sue Stubbs. Answers by Alison Felstead, interior and principal at Naibu Design.
Who lives here: A couple with two children and a dog
Location: Clovelly, NSW
Room purpose and size: An open-plan kitchen measuring 20 square metres and an adjoining laundry measuring five square metres in the new rear extension of a four-bedroom period home
Budget: Around AU$35,000 for the kitchen and AU$10,000 for the laundry.
Who lives here: A couple with two children and a dog
Location: Clovelly, NSW
Room purpose and size: An open-plan kitchen measuring 20 square metres and an adjoining laundry measuring five square metres in the new rear extension of a four-bedroom period home
Budget: Around AU$35,000 for the kitchen and AU$10,000 for the laundry.
What was your brief for the kitchen?
My client wanted a statement coloured kitchen with wow factor. She wanted it to be the focal point of the home and a fantastic space for entertaining.
The kitchen design had to be classic enough to blend in with the existing period property, but also fresh and contemporary as it is part of the new renovation.
The kitchen needed to be highly functional with plenty of storage and prep space, and durable enough to stand the test of time.
Inspired to go green with your own kitchen reno? Find a kitchen designer on Houzz to help you choose the perfect shade
My client wanted a statement coloured kitchen with wow factor. She wanted it to be the focal point of the home and a fantastic space for entertaining.
The kitchen design had to be classic enough to blend in with the existing period property, but also fresh and contemporary as it is part of the new renovation.
The kitchen needed to be highly functional with plenty of storage and prep space, and durable enough to stand the test of time.
Inspired to go green with your own kitchen reno? Find a kitchen designer on Houzz to help you choose the perfect shade
Starting point
The client’s favourite colours – blue and green – were the starting point.
It was important that the colour we chose worked with those in the rest of the house. After reviewing a number of options, we decided a soft green would work best.
What look and feel did you want to create?
Sophisticated and relaxed; a blend of classic and contemporary.
The client’s favourite colours – blue and green – were the starting point.
It was important that the colour we chose worked with those in the rest of the house. After reviewing a number of options, we decided a soft green would work best.
What look and feel did you want to create?
Sophisticated and relaxed; a blend of classic and contemporary.
Where did most of the budget go?
The cabinetry and its installation.
Where did you spend?
The cabinetry, benchtops, oven and main fridge.
Where did you save?
The tiles, tapware, handles and wine fridge.
What challenges did you work around?
The kitchen has high ceilings and a structural bulkhead that had to be factored into the design. We had to decide whether to add another bulkhead down to the top of the cabinetry or leave the space open. We opted for open space.
Also, there is a structural column in part of the kitchen that we had to design around – we used it to house the main fridge.
The cabinetry and its installation.
Where did you spend?
The cabinetry, benchtops, oven and main fridge.
Where did you save?
The tiles, tapware, handles and wine fridge.
What challenges did you work around?
The kitchen has high ceilings and a structural bulkhead that had to be factored into the design. We had to decide whether to add another bulkhead down to the top of the cabinetry or leave the space open. We opted for open space.
Also, there is a structural column in part of the kitchen that we had to design around – we used it to house the main fridge.
Why do you think this kitchen works?
It is highly functional for a family and has some great design features. The smooth cabinetry contrasts beautifully with the V-groove island detailing and the textured wall tiles. The thick Caesarstone benchtops, subtle handles and brushed-brass fittings add sophistication.
Browse more images of green kitchens on Houzz
It is highly functional for a family and has some great design features. The smooth cabinetry contrasts beautifully with the V-groove island detailing and the textured wall tiles. The thick Caesarstone benchtops, subtle handles and brushed-brass fittings add sophistication.
Browse more images of green kitchens on Houzz
Archer bar stools: Papaya Homewares.
Key design aspects for the kitchen
Key design aspects for the kitchen
- Two-pack polyurethane cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball Treron.
- Kalafrana Ceramics white Zellige-style porcelain tiles.
- Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo benchtops.
- Tongue n Groove Logano engineered-oak flooring.
- Timber shelves finished in Polytec Tuross Oak.
- ABI Interiors brushed-brass tap and cabinetry handles.
- Walls in Porter’s Paints Popcorn.
What was your brief for the laundry?
To create a functional washing and drying space with plenty of storage that complemented the adjoining kitchen.
What did you do?
I designed the laundry to include a benchtop with a washing machine and dryer below it, an under-mount sink and cabinetry both above and below. I also included a storage shelf, a drying rail and two tall storage cupboards.
I used the same brushed-brass taps and handles as the kitchen and wall tiles in the same shape but in a different colour to create a sense of cohesion. The walls were painted the same colour as the kitchen, and I chose white V-groove cabinetry.
To create a functional washing and drying space with plenty of storage that complemented the adjoining kitchen.
What did you do?
I designed the laundry to include a benchtop with a washing machine and dryer below it, an under-mount sink and cabinetry both above and below. I also included a storage shelf, a drying rail and two tall storage cupboards.
I used the same brushed-brass taps and handles as the kitchen and wall tiles in the same shape but in a different colour to create a sense of cohesion. The walls were painted the same colour as the kitchen, and I chose white V-groove cabinetry.
Key design aspects for the laundry
Your turn
Would you go green in your 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
See another kitchen made great in this Before & After: An Average Kitchen Reworked into a Great Beauty
- Walls and V-groove joinery in Porter’s Paints Popcorn.
- ABI Interiors brushed-brass tap and cabinetry handles.
- Benchtops in Caesarstone Snow.
- Timber shelves finished in Polytec Tuross Oak.
- TileCloud Newport Gloss small square tiles in Sky Blue.
- Teranova Mint Medium Chip encaustic terrazzo tiles.
Your turn
Would you go green in your 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
See another kitchen made great in this Before & After: An Average Kitchen Reworked into a Great Beauty
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Hi @elbladeo They are the Archer bar stools in oak from Papaya.
How gorgeous
A fantastic renovation. No silly gimmicks, no unnecessary, expensive features, just what will work beautifully for the family.