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Room of the Week: A Pale & Beautiful Kitchen That Embraces Light
Create a light-filled sanctuary they said. Eliza Blair Architecture delivered with this pale and beautiful kitchen
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The brief was to create a light-filled sanctuary so our client could unwind and relax after a stressful day.
Keen to revamp your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz
The brief was to create a light-filled sanctuary so our client could unwind and relax after a stressful day.
Keen to revamp your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz
The kitchen before works and placement in a new location in the home
Starting point
For this home, the starting point was a Californian Bungalow on a south-facing block, built very close to each side boundary. The house was dark and cold with the backyard often overshadowed by the existing house (in winter), and the house itself not receiving a lot of sunlight during the day.
Starting point
For this home, the starting point was a Californian Bungalow on a south-facing block, built very close to each side boundary. The house was dark and cold with the backyard often overshadowed by the existing house (in winter), and the house itself not receiving a lot of sunlight during the day.
Solutions to the challenges
The ceiling was raked up towards the north, so highlight windows could be inserted the full width of the extension. These louvred windows also allow the living areas to be naturally cooled when needed, adding cross ventilation to the list of benefits.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Materials palette:
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
The ceiling was raked up towards the north, so highlight windows could be inserted the full width of the extension. These louvred windows also allow the living areas to be naturally cooled when needed, adding cross ventilation to the list of benefits.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
- Dulux Natural White on the walls and cabinetry.
- Dulux Night Sky on the window frames.
Materials palette:
- Engineered timber flooring in Sesame from Made by Storey.
- Signorino Serene Grey Light stone benchtops.
- Astra Walker Icon tapware.
- Two-pack polyurethane cabinetry in Dulux Natual White.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- HAY About A Stool AAS38 barstools.
- Muuto stand pendant.
- Osso chair by Mattiazzi.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
The island bench is kept open at one end so people can gather around in a more social setting rather than all face the one direction.
While the placement of the sink in the island bench is always a personal decision, in this circumstance it enabled a view of the garden and towards the central fireplace at the opposite end of the room. It also created an efficient work zone between the cooktop, fridge and sink.
Browse more contemporary open-plan kitchens
The island bench is kept open at one end so people can gather around in a more social setting rather than all face the one direction.
While the placement of the sink in the island bench is always a personal decision, in this circumstance it enabled a view of the garden and towards the central fireplace at the opposite end of the room. It also created an efficient work zone between the cooktop, fridge and sink.
Browse more contemporary open-plan kitchens
The floor plan of the kitchen and living area
Why do you think this room works?
The natural light in the home is a standout feature. The high-level north-facing glazing combined with the large expanses of glass facing the garden bring a lovely sense of calm to the space.
The kitchen offers ample storage, a place for cooking, preparation, plating up, serving and resting. It also offers two areas for washing up and a large island bench for people to congregate around while entertaining, or for kids to do their homework on.
Your turn
What do you like about 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
Craving more great interior transformations? Take a look at this Before & After: How Clever Thinking Renewed a Broken-Plan Home
Why do you think this room works?
The natural light in the home is a standout feature. The high-level north-facing glazing combined with the large expanses of glass facing the garden bring a lovely sense of calm to the space.
The kitchen offers ample storage, a place for cooking, preparation, plating up, serving and resting. It also offers two areas for washing up and a large island bench for people to congregate around while entertaining, or for kids to do their homework on.
Your turn
What do you like about 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
Craving more great interior transformations? Take a look at this Before & After: How Clever Thinking Renewed a Broken-Plan Home
Styling by Nicole Bell Design
Answers by Eliza Blair, Eliza Blair Architecture
Who lives here: A family with three young children
Location: Prahran, Victoria
Room purpose and size: A 21-metre-square kitchen
Approximate budget: $700,000 for a full-home renovation, of which the kitchen was a part