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Room Of The Week
Room of the Week: The Genius Makeover of a Dark and Poky Kitchen
A new layout, light finishes and inspired inclusions are the making of this entertainer's kitchen in a Victorian terrace
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 client wanted a contemporary kitchen that doubled as a dining area to seat seven people.
What was on the client’s wish list?
The client wanted a contemporary kitchen that doubled as a dining area to seat seven people.
What was on the client’s wish list?
- An island bench in the kitchen.
- New flooring throughout the house.
What was the kitchen like originally?
Internally, the house had undergone major renovations in the 1980s and had been stripped of all original detail. The ground floor, where the kitchen was located, had a diagonal-patterned terracotta tile floor. The kitchen had timber cupboards, a laminate benchtop and a large bulkhead across one wall that concealed the upstairs plumbing.
What were the biggest issues?
Internally, the house had undergone major renovations in the 1980s and had been stripped of all original detail. The ground floor, where the kitchen was located, had a diagonal-patterned terracotta tile floor. The kitchen had timber cupboards, a laminate benchtop and a large bulkhead across one wall that concealed the upstairs plumbing.
What were the biggest issues?
- The existing kitchen was dated and felt disconnected from the living room.
- There was no dining room and no space for a dining table.
- The house was bereft of natural light.
The original ground-floor plan
Starting point
This house is located in the heart of Newtown, NSW, where my client – a writer who travels frequently and likes to entertain – has lived for over a decade. This whole-house project allowed us to remove all the quirks that he had put up with for so long, and replan the spaces to work for his lifestyle.
The starting point for the kitchen was the client’s brief to seat seven people around an island bench.
Once this house was stripped of its 1980s interior, the project became an exercise in restraint, where we looked to create a quiet backdrop for the client’s dinner parties to come. A neutral palette of pale oak floors, Victorian ash details, matt Caesarstone benchtops and simple white joinery were combined to create a minimal yet multi-functional kitchen/dining space.
Starting point
This house is located in the heart of Newtown, NSW, where my client – a writer who travels frequently and likes to entertain – has lived for over a decade. This whole-house project allowed us to remove all the quirks that he had put up with for so long, and replan the spaces to work for his lifestyle.
The starting point for the kitchen was the client’s brief to seat seven people around an island bench.
Once this house was stripped of its 1980s interior, the project became an exercise in restraint, where we looked to create a quiet backdrop for the client’s dinner parties to come. A neutral palette of pale oak floors, Victorian ash details, matt Caesarstone benchtops and simple white joinery were combined to create a minimal yet multi-functional kitchen/dining space.
The ground-floor plan after works
How did you manage to squeeze in space for seven diners?
Restricted to the narrow width of the existing terrace, and with a staircase along one side, reorientating the kitchen was key.
We installed a new island bench that doubles as a dining table, and this became the focal point of the new kitchen layout. Getting the dimensions of the kitchen island right was crucial. The length was carefully considered to maintain a balance between the living room and kitchen, while also being generous enough to comfortably seat three people on each side. One end of the island was designed with splayed legs to keep it open and maximise leg room for a seventh seat at the bench.
How did you manage to squeeze in space for seven diners?
Restricted to the narrow width of the existing terrace, and with a staircase along one side, reorientating the kitchen was key.
We installed a new island bench that doubles as a dining table, and this became the focal point of the new kitchen layout. Getting the dimensions of the kitchen island right was crucial. The length was carefully considered to maintain a balance between the living room and kitchen, while also being generous enough to comfortably seat three people on each side. One end of the island was designed with splayed legs to keep it open and maximise leg room for a seventh seat at the bench.
What exactly did you do?
- Demolished the existing kitchen and put in a new kitchen that was reorientated to accommodate a dining island, built-in fridge and a walk-in pantry.
- Demolished the bulkhead in the kitchen.
- Put in a new hidden laundry under the stairs.
- Retained the existing stair as it was in reasonable condition and put in a new timber balustrade.
- Levelled the floor on the ground level and put in new timber floorboards throughout the house.
- Installed new ceilings on the ground floor and square cornices throughout the house.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: White, blonde timber and black accents.
Dulux Natural White was used on the walls, kitchen joinery and under-stair joinery. Dulux Vivid White was used on architraves, skirtings, windows and door frames. Dulux Ceiling White was used on the ceilings.
Materials palette: The benchtop, island legs and splashback are Caesarstone Frozen Terra. The floorboards are Woodcut Pale Oak engineered timber. The shelf in the kitchen and the staircase’s balustrades are made from Victorian ash.
Colour palette: White, blonde timber and black accents.
Dulux Natural White was used on the walls, kitchen joinery and under-stair joinery. Dulux Vivid White was used on architraves, skirtings, windows and door frames. Dulux Ceiling White was used on the ceilings.
Materials palette: The benchtop, island legs and splashback are Caesarstone Frozen Terra. The floorboards are Woodcut Pale Oak engineered timber. The shelf in the kitchen and the staircase’s balustrades are made from Victorian ash.
The benchtop material, used throughout the kitchen, looks white from a distance but reveals an interesting mix of light and dark aggregate on closer viewing
Key furniture/fittings:
Key furniture/fittings:
A new laundry is concealed in a cupboard under the stairs
How did you bring in so much more natural light without new windows or skylights?
The original kitchen had dark, orange-toned flooring and cupboards, which we replaced with new whiter and brighter ones to make the space feel lighter.
Reorientating the kitchen to better connect with the living room and using open shelves instead of heavy, overhead cupboards makes the space feel more spacious and airy too.
How did you bring in so much more natural light without new windows or skylights?
The original kitchen had dark, orange-toned flooring and cupboards, which we replaced with new whiter and brighter ones to make the space feel lighter.
Reorientating the kitchen to better connect with the living room and using open shelves instead of heavy, overhead cupboards makes the space feel more spacious and airy too.
The ends of the balustrades have been chamfered in two directions to visually connect with the splayed island-bench legs and to let the laundry doors open 180 degrees without obstruction
The staircase and balustrade before works
Why do you think this room works?
The project was an exercise in restraint to achieve a minimal yet multi-functional space. Through the use of neutral materials, simple geometries and thoughtful planning, the finished home brings lightness to the home and evokes a sense of calm.
The project was an exercise in restraint to achieve a minimal yet multi-functional space. Through the use of neutral materials, simple geometries and thoughtful planning, the finished home brings lightness to the home and evokes a sense of calm.
Your turn
What do you love about this multi-purpose kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more stunning interiors? Take a look at our last Room of the Week: Beach House Kitchen With a Laid-Back Luxe Vibe
What do you love about this multi-purpose kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more stunning interiors? Take a look at our last Room of the Week: Beach House Kitchen With a Laid-Back Luxe Vibe
Answers by Kitty Lee, principal at Kitty Lee Architecture
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Newtown, NSW
Budget: Approximately $45,000
Room purpose and size: An eat-in kitchen measuring approximately 15 square metres