Room Of The Week
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Project Of The Week
Room of the Week: From Dark Wood Cave to Light, Uplifting Kitchen
Sometimes it's the existing features a designer keeps, then complements, that make a renovation a success
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 fresh and light-filled kitchen with plenty of storage, and for the space to be a lot more user friendly. The family had lived with the old kitchen for 20-plus years and it was overdue for a transformation.
The brief was to create a fresh and light-filled kitchen with plenty of storage, and for the space to be a lot more user friendly. The family had lived with the old kitchen for 20-plus years and it was overdue for a transformation.
The previous kitchen
Starting point
The only thing that stayed was the parquet floor, which was
re-coloured. I was given free rein to design how the kitchen looked and functioned.
The only thing that stayed was the parquet floor, which was
re-coloured. I was given free rein to design how the kitchen looked and functioned.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: As the clients wanted a very light look, I used Dulux ‘Lexicon Half’ for the joinery and the walls.
Materials palette: The benchtop is Smartstone in Calacatta Manhattan. We wanted a marble-look top but without the stress of staining, hence this product. Then, as the stone was so beautiful, we decided to make more of a feature of it by using it up the walls. When lit at night, it really is beautiful.
Lighting designer Volker Haug supplied the pendant light that is over the island bench, in keeping with the bright feel of the kitchen.
Colour palette: As the clients wanted a very light look, I used Dulux ‘Lexicon Half’ for the joinery and the walls.
Materials palette: The benchtop is Smartstone in Calacatta Manhattan. We wanted a marble-look top but without the stress of staining, hence this product. Then, as the stone was so beautiful, we decided to make more of a feature of it by using it up the walls. When lit at night, it really is beautiful.
Lighting designer Volker Haug supplied the pendant light that is over the island bench, in keeping with the bright feel of the kitchen.
I also re-purposed an existing glass-top breakfast table and had four dining chairs custom-made as well as the rug.
Key pieces of furniture: The kitchen was built by Cabinetsmith, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Challenges you worked around
I have to say I didn’t really have any. The process flowed through from start to finish without any hiccups. It really was a great result for great clients.
I have to say I didn’t really have any. The process flowed through from start to finish without any hiccups. It really was a great result for great clients.
Why do you think this room works?
I feel the room works well because it’s bright. The clients love to spend time in it, and it certainly is now the hub of the house.
I feel the room works well because it’s bright. The clients love to spend time in it, and it certainly is now the hub of the house.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, share the story, and join the conversation.
More
Love great design? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: Deep Blue and Veined Marble Forge a Wow Kitchen
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, share the story, and join the conversation.
More
Love great design? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: Deep Blue and Veined Marble Forge a Wow Kitchen
Styling and answers by Peter Schaad, principal designer, PS Design Studio
Who lives here: A husband and wife (the children have all left home)
Location: Toorak, Victoria
Room purpose: Open-plan kitchen dining and family room