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Timber Tones & Clever Surfaces Combine in this Mornington Kitchen
Combining functional surfaces with warming woodgrain, this open-plan kitchen is the ultimate family living zone
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For many busy families, having a highly functional and easily adaptable living space that brings the family together is the ultimate dream. So, when Katie Rees and her husband, Brent, had the opportunity to design their own family home, a flexible open-plan area was at the top of their wish list.
Keen to create a practical working space that was also beautiful and inviting, the couple teamed up with the experts from Laminex to combine their innovative surfaces with the warmth and look of stunning woodgrain. Take a peek at the results and discover how the welcoming open-plan room offers clearly defined zones and plenty of family-time opportunities.
Keen to create a practical working space that was also beautiful and inviting, the couple teamed up with the experts from Laminex to combine their innovative surfaces with the warmth and look of stunning woodgrain. Take a peek at the results and discover how the welcoming open-plan room offers clearly defined zones and plenty of family-time opportunities.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Katie Rees, who runs Katie Rees Design, her husband Brent, and their two young daughters.
Location: Mornington
Architect: Vibe Design Group
Choose clean lines for a busy open-plan space
The architect’s signature style was perfect for addressing the challenging site where the Rees’ new house was to be built. Two-metre easements along the boundaries and a tree protection zone, along with the family’s lifestyle needs were all considerations that needed taking into account. With the central living, cooking and eating areas being open plan, sleek, white kitchen cabinetry by Laminex was chosen for its minimal detailing to span the far wall. It also allowed the striking island and dining table to become the focal point of the space.
Already working within the building design industry as a senior designer, Katie had a firm eye on the details when it came to designing the ultimate family home. “Whether you’re in the profession yourself, or engaging with a professional design service, all elements are thoroughly detailed and included in the design right from the start.”
Who lives here: Katie Rees, who runs Katie Rees Design, her husband Brent, and their two young daughters.
Location: Mornington
Architect: Vibe Design Group
Choose clean lines for a busy open-plan space
The architect’s signature style was perfect for addressing the challenging site where the Rees’ new house was to be built. Two-metre easements along the boundaries and a tree protection zone, along with the family’s lifestyle needs were all considerations that needed taking into account. With the central living, cooking and eating areas being open plan, sleek, white kitchen cabinetry by Laminex was chosen for its minimal detailing to span the far wall. It also allowed the striking island and dining table to become the focal point of the space.
Already working within the building design industry as a senior designer, Katie had a firm eye on the details when it came to designing the ultimate family home. “Whether you’re in the profession yourself, or engaging with a professional design service, all elements are thoroughly detailed and included in the design right from the start.”
Create a Space With Versatile Liveability
As a family with many different hobbies, pastimes and working patterns, it was crucial that the Rees family’s new home was designed with absolute flexibility. “The spaces needed to evolve harmoniously around our mayhem, as everyone gets ready or relaxes for the day,” says Katie, who loves how the warming wood touches around the space are perfect for an inviting family vibe. “When we work from home, the same space that was only moments ago a brekkie bar converts easily into a contemplative space for creative work, thanks to the hard-wearing and inviting feel of the surfaces.”
Wrapped in a durable finish that offers the beauty of stone and practicality of laminate, the island is the ultimate work bench, with a built-in sink and food prep area, while the (connected) low-level dining table is a kid-friendly alternative to high bar stools.
As a family with many different hobbies, pastimes and working patterns, it was crucial that the Rees family’s new home was designed with absolute flexibility. “The spaces needed to evolve harmoniously around our mayhem, as everyone gets ready or relaxes for the day,” says Katie, who loves how the warming wood touches around the space are perfect for an inviting family vibe. “When we work from home, the same space that was only moments ago a brekkie bar converts easily into a contemplative space for creative work, thanks to the hard-wearing and inviting feel of the surfaces.”
Wrapped in a durable finish that offers the beauty of stone and practicality of laminate, the island is the ultimate work bench, with a built-in sink and food prep area, while the (connected) low-level dining table is a kid-friendly alternative to high bar stools.
Include Plenty of Options for Everyone
The success of the Rees’ multi-functional room is the mix and match of surfaces and tones, as well as clearly defined areas for different tasks. For example, an Essastone cool, gloss benchtop, that is exceptionally scuff resistant, is ideal for a casual eating spot under the wall cabinetry. Then there’s the reflective surface of the black glass-look splashback, which brings yet another dimension to the mix of textures and ensures the space stays sleek and contemporary.
Katie feels their choice of textures is the genius behind the design. “Not only are they beautiful, the surfaces we chose are durable and hardwearing, which is essential for family life.”
The success of the Rees’ multi-functional room is the mix and match of surfaces and tones, as well as clearly defined areas for different tasks. For example, an Essastone cool, gloss benchtop, that is exceptionally scuff resistant, is ideal for a casual eating spot under the wall cabinetry. Then there’s the reflective surface of the black glass-look splashback, which brings yet another dimension to the mix of textures and ensures the space stays sleek and contemporary.
Katie feels their choice of textures is the genius behind the design. “Not only are they beautiful, the surfaces we chose are durable and hardwearing, which is essential for family life.”
Make it Super Inviting With Warming Tones
On weekends, or when the hobbies are all done with for the day, the family loves to entertain and the room is easily adapted to suit large gatherings. “We love to have family and friends over and the spaces evolve again into zones for maximum fun and appreciation by both adults and the children,” says Katie.
A stunning feature wall, which showcases a beautiful woodgrain finish, provides a unique connection between the action areas and the lounging spot, transforming the room into the ultimate entertaining venue. “The woodgrain finish of the feature wall ties in with the wooden dining table so the areas flow together seamlessly,” says Katie.
On weekends, or when the hobbies are all done with for the day, the family loves to entertain and the room is easily adapted to suit large gatherings. “We love to have family and friends over and the spaces evolve again into zones for maximum fun and appreciation by both adults and the children,” says Katie.
A stunning feature wall, which showcases a beautiful woodgrain finish, provides a unique connection between the action areas and the lounging spot, transforming the room into the ultimate entertaining venue. “The woodgrain finish of the feature wall ties in with the wooden dining table so the areas flow together seamlessly,” says Katie.
Introduce Tranquillity With Natural Textures
Being able to design the entire house from scratch meant Katie could continue the natural teak finishes to encourage a cohesive flow through the spaces, as well as bring some calm and serenity to the bathing areas. Here, a floating vanity provides tonnes of hidden storage, buckets of surface area for toiletries and also expands the floor space by exposing all the tiles.
“Designing our house was a complete joy and although it took a lot longer than most projects as we were doing it alongside our normal day jobs and childcare, the wait was worth it,” Katie recalls. “Once the plans were finalised, the town planning approval took six months and the build from start to finish was around 10 months. And the best part of having a wonderfully designed and built home is that everything is the way it should be and the site has been used to maximum effect.”
Being able to design the entire house from scratch meant Katie could continue the natural teak finishes to encourage a cohesive flow through the spaces, as well as bring some calm and serenity to the bathing areas. Here, a floating vanity provides tonnes of hidden storage, buckets of surface area for toiletries and also expands the floor space by exposing all the tiles.
“Designing our house was a complete joy and although it took a lot longer than most projects as we were doing it alongside our normal day jobs and childcare, the wait was worth it,” Katie recalls. “Once the plans were finalised, the town planning approval took six months and the build from start to finish was around 10 months. And the best part of having a wonderfully designed and built home is that everything is the way it should be and the site has been used to maximum effect.”
Go for Robust, Easy-to-Maintain Finishes
Almost the width of the storage drawers below, the chunky, engineered stone surface by Essastone provides a wonderfully tough vanity benchtop that will not only withstand plenty of wear and tear, it also adds a luxurious finish to the bathroom.
When asked if she would have done anything differently, Katie answers “not a thing”. “For so long I had worked on the details and intricacies of client’s homes, so it was very special to design a place that was specifically for our family,” she concludes. “I’m very proud of the result and I’m always happy to have visitors round to show off our home’s remarkable liveability.”
Find out more about Laminex’s surfaces here.
Tell us
What style tips will you be stealing from Katie Rees’ home?
This story was written by the Sponsored Content Team
Almost the width of the storage drawers below, the chunky, engineered stone surface by Essastone provides a wonderfully tough vanity benchtop that will not only withstand plenty of wear and tear, it also adds a luxurious finish to the bathroom.
When asked if she would have done anything differently, Katie answers “not a thing”. “For so long I had worked on the details and intricacies of client’s homes, so it was very special to design a place that was specifically for our family,” she concludes. “I’m very proud of the result and I’m always happy to have visitors round to show off our home’s remarkable liveability.”
Find out more about Laminex’s surfaces here.
Tell us
What style tips will you be stealing from Katie Rees’ home?
This story was written by the Sponsored Content Team
Design for life. Laminex has been part of Australian life for more than 80 years. Our commitment to design,... Read More
Design for life. Laminex has been part of Australian life for more than 80 years. Our commitment to design,... Read More
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Great article! I love combinations of textures chosen by the design team for Katie's home. At the moment we are doing a project which expresses the same idea. Combination of no-prints smooth matt texture and wooden silky board seems exremely appealing and versatile.