Room of the Week: An Open Area & Pretty Details Made This Kitchen
A contemporary kitchen, complete with a butler's pantry, is the focal point in this bright open space
Vanessa Walker
22 February 2021
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 We Shoot Buildings. Styling by Salo Interiors. Answers by Kate Robertson of Everlong Constructions
Who lives here: A family of five and their cavoodle.
Location: Glen Iris, Victoria
Approximate budget: $100,000 for kitchen area (and approximately $1.1million for entire build).
Room purpose and size: The kitchen (including a large butler’s pantry) and open-plan dining and living area is approximately 100sqm. The purpose was to have a large kitchen that you could cook in but conceal the mess in the butler’s pantry for when guests are over. They wanted an open-plan living area that was good for entertaining and could look over the pool area and led out to the large entertainer’s deck.
Who lives here: A family of five and their cavoodle.
Location: Glen Iris, Victoria
Approximate budget: $100,000 for kitchen area (and approximately $1.1million for entire build).
Room purpose and size: The kitchen (including a large butler’s pantry) and open-plan dining and living area is approximately 100sqm. The purpose was to have a large kitchen that you could cook in but conceal the mess in the butler’s pantry for when guests are over. They wanted an open-plan living area that was good for entertaining and could look over the pool area and led out to the large entertainer’s deck.
Brief
This project was a complete knockdown and new build. The client wanted a home that was sympathetic to the period houses in the area, so this pretty weatherboard home was created. They wanted something that was both functional for their family and worked for entertaining. The open-plan living area had to lead out to the large entertainer’s deck and pool area as they love spending time outside
This project was a complete knockdown and new build. The client wanted a home that was sympathetic to the period houses in the area, so this pretty weatherboard home was created. They wanted something that was both functional for their family and worked for entertaining. The open-plan living area had to lead out to the large entertainer’s deck and pool area as they love spending time outside
The home before it was knocked down
Building or renovating? Find a kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Building or renovating? Find a kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Starting point
In the kitchen, the starting point was the high ceilings. They wanted it to feel like a large, open space.
In the kitchen, the starting point was the high ceilings. They wanted it to feel like a large, open space.
Materials palette:
- Superwhite dolomite and Alpine white stone from WK Quantum Quartz
- Solid American-oak flooring
- Shaker cabinets in both black and grey
Key pieces of furniture:
- Pendant over island from Beacon Lighting
- Under the Bell grey pendant light over dining table from Huset
- Kingston timber saddle bar stools from Relax House
- Dining table from The Banyan Tree
Challenges you worked around
Because of the 3.7 metre-high ceilings, the cost of the cabinetry to fill the large spaces was excessive.
Browse more contemporary Australian kitchens for inspiration
Because of the 3.7 metre-high ceilings, the cost of the cabinetry to fill the large spaces was excessive.
Browse more contemporary Australian kitchens for inspiration
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
The layout of this kitchen is simple yet functional. The large butler’s pantry houses more bench space for preparation and a second dishwasher, so mess can be hidden away when entertaining. The large island bench was kept clear of any appliances or sinks in order to create a sleek, clean island bench that people could congregate around. The sink under the servery window was a great way of connecting the kitchen to the pool area.
The layout of this kitchen is simple yet functional. The large butler’s pantry houses more bench space for preparation and a second dishwasher, so mess can be hidden away when entertaining. The large island bench was kept clear of any appliances or sinks in order to create a sleek, clean island bench that people could congregate around. The sink under the servery window was a great way of connecting the kitchen to the pool area.
Why do you think this room works
It is bright, open and gives a grand feel.
Your turn
What do you love 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 makeovers? Take a look at Room of the Week: Simplicity Wins the Day in This New Build
It is bright, open and gives a grand feel.
Your turn
What do you love 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 makeovers? Take a look at Room of the Week: Simplicity Wins the Day in This New Build
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Could definitely do this kitchen on a much lower budget Caro.
It is nice but personally I am rather over black white and grey lol, building a new home with none of those shades,
What size is the island?
Olwyn, you can probably guesstimate size of island by amount of bar stools, 5 x approx 60cm?