Room of the Week: A Fab Kitchen Fit for a Boisterous Bondi Family
An active beach-going family wanted natural light, ventilation and a place for everything. This is their dream kitchen
Vanessa Walker
12 October 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 Tom Ferguson
Styling by Holly Irvine
Answers by Josephine Hurley, director, Josephine Hurley Architecture
Who lives here: A couple with three kids and two enthusiastic dogs
Location: North Bondi, NSW
Room purpose and size: A combined kitchen and dining room. The length of the kitchen joinery is eight metres; the kitchen/dining area is 9.1 x 4.6 metres.
Builder: HiSpec Constructions
Joiner: Leading Edge Kitchens
Did you use Houzz for this project?
Yes, Houzz was used for design inspiration.
Styling by Holly Irvine
Answers by Josephine Hurley, director, Josephine Hurley Architecture
Who lives here: A couple with three kids and two enthusiastic dogs
Location: North Bondi, NSW
Room purpose and size: A combined kitchen and dining room. The length of the kitchen joinery is eight metres; the kitchen/dining area is 9.1 x 4.6 metres.
Builder: HiSpec Constructions
Joiner: Leading Edge Kitchens
Did you use Houzz for this project?
Yes, Houzz was used for design inspiration.
Brief
The project involved renovations to a 1980s semi-detached house in North Bondi. The house lacked storage, natural light and a connection to the garden.
The couple wanted everything to have a designated space so that clutter could be minimised. They spend a lot of time at home with their young family and they ultimately wanted a home that felt calm and relaxed.
The creation of a clutter-free, bright and naturally ventilated space leads to a relaxed and happy family home. The home is an expression of the client. It is elegant, yet robust and the perfect backdrop for family life.
Planning a kitchen renovation? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The project involved renovations to a 1980s semi-detached house in North Bondi. The house lacked storage, natural light and a connection to the garden.
The couple wanted everything to have a designated space so that clutter could be minimised. They spend a lot of time at home with their young family and they ultimately wanted a home that felt calm and relaxed.
The creation of a clutter-free, bright and naturally ventilated space leads to a relaxed and happy family home. The home is an expression of the client. It is elegant, yet robust and the perfect backdrop for family life.
Planning a kitchen renovation? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The kitchen before works
Starting point
None of the existing 1980s features were worthy of being retained. The house was gutted, rear balconies enclosed and the interiors reimagined to utilise every available space in what is quite a compact floor plan.
Starting point
None of the existing 1980s features were worthy of being retained. The house was gutted, rear balconies enclosed and the interiors reimagined to utilise every available space in what is quite a compact floor plan.
The floor plans, showing the kitchen at the rear of the ground floor
A deep understanding of how the client lives and the demands on space ensures that everything from wine storage to dog food has a designated space. The combined kitchen and dining room was always going to be the focus of the new design. It is where the family gathers and it now has a strong connection to the outdoors with fully retractable glass doors and timber bleacher steps overlooking the garden.
A deep understanding of how the client lives and the demands on space ensures that everything from wine storage to dog food has a designated space. The combined kitchen and dining room was always going to be the focus of the new design. It is where the family gathers and it now has a strong connection to the outdoors with fully retractable glass doors and timber bleacher steps overlooking the garden.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Colour palette:
- Soft greys
- Whites
- Black highlights
- And oak for warmth.
Materials palette:
- A restrained, elegant and robust materials palette was selected to create a sense of timelessness and calm in a home that is often overrun with young children and dogs.
- The textural and tactile qualities of terrazzo in soft grey, oak and V-groove joinery are exploited to create a sense of warmth and enduring character.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Qasair range hoods from Winning Appliances.
- V-Zug gas cooktop from Winning Appliances.
- Brodware mixer in Aged Iron from Candana.
- Fisher & Paykel fully integrated fridge/freezer and multi-temperature drawer.
- Caesarstone benchtop in Rugged Concrete.
- Italian terrazzo flooring from Surface Gallery.
- White Kit Kat mosaics for splashback from Surface Gallery.
- Navlam Sandblasted Oak Veneer to joinery cupboards.
- V-groove panelling in Dulux Vivid White to joinery cupboards.
- Coco pendants from Coco Flip.
- Dining table made by client’s father.
- Dining chairs from Jardan.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
There are designated zones so that multiple family members can use the space comfortably, for example, the cooking area, the food-preparation area, the washing area and most importantly the coffee nook! There is plenty of space around the dining room table, so that when the family entertains they often gather in this space.
There are designated zones so that multiple family members can use the space comfortably, for example, the cooking area, the food-preparation area, the washing area and most importantly the coffee nook! There is plenty of space around the dining room table, so that when the family entertains they often gather in this space.
Challenges you worked around
The existing floor-to-ceiling height is relatively tight. The use of a bulkhead over the linear kitchen for air-conditioning and range-hood ducting gives the illusion that the ceiling height over the dining table is much higher than it really is.
Why do you think this room works?
The combined kitchen and dining room works because there is plenty of storage and natural light. It is a clutter-free, bright and naturally ventilated space where the family enjoys gathering together to cook, enjoy a meal and entertain with family and friends. The kitchen enjoys an elevated position with a perfect view of the kids and dogs playing in the garden.
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
Want more kitchen design inspiration? Take a look at this Room of the Week: A Kitchen That Combines Classic & Contemporary
The existing floor-to-ceiling height is relatively tight. The use of a bulkhead over the linear kitchen for air-conditioning and range-hood ducting gives the illusion that the ceiling height over the dining table is much higher than it really is.
Why do you think this room works?
The combined kitchen and dining room works because there is plenty of storage and natural light. It is a clutter-free, bright and naturally ventilated space where the family enjoys gathering together to cook, enjoy a meal and entertain with family and friends. The kitchen enjoys an elevated position with a perfect view of the kids and dogs playing in the garden.
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
Want more kitchen design inspiration? Take a look at this Room of the Week: A Kitchen That Combines Classic & Contemporary
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Why the counter ledge in the back ?
It's unusual to see a one-line kitchen in a large space. Looks to be a long way between the cooktop and sink, and even further to the fridge. But then, I don't have 'multiple family members' using my kitchen at the same time.
I'm with Numberwoman about underbench ovens. My wall oven is so much easier to use; however, the compromise is less bench space.