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Before & After: A Plain-Jane Kitchen Made Bejewelled & Beautiful
From tiny, dark and inefficient to open, light and entrancing, we look at how this Sydney kitchen was transformed
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
The kitchen before works.
However, the client’s brief was clear. Since returning from a fabulous holiday in Europe, with a stay in Paris, the joy of the trip had remained a fond memory. “I want to feel as if I’m in a 1950s Parisian bistro/cafe,” the client said.
The design had to recreate and exude all things French, with touches of the Art Deco period, and not be overly modern in its aesthetic.
Storage, function and including a small laundry were priorities, as well as choosing quality fittings that would last the test of time.
However, the client’s brief was clear. Since returning from a fabulous holiday in Europe, with a stay in Paris, the joy of the trip had remained a fond memory. “I want to feel as if I’m in a 1950s Parisian bistro/cafe,” the client said.
The design had to recreate and exude all things French, with touches of the Art Deco period, and not be overly modern in its aesthetic.
Storage, function and including a small laundry were priorities, as well as choosing quality fittings that would last the test of time.
The kitchen before works.
What challenges did you face?
The existing rear lean-to was cramped and badly configured. It lacked light and was not conducive to modern living.
The focus was to reconfigure the space by switching the location of the kitchen and bathroom/laundry, and hope that while stripping back the many layers, not to many surprises
would revealed themselves.
What challenges did you face?
The existing rear lean-to was cramped and badly configured. It lacked light and was not conducive to modern living.
The focus was to reconfigure the space by switching the location of the kitchen and bathroom/laundry, and hope that while stripping back the many layers, not to many surprises
would revealed themselves.
The bathroom before works.
It was wishful thinking! As the former owner had previously renovated the lean-to, on the surface all looked well as it was made to look tidy for a quick sale. But once demolition commenced, the defects flourished!
Undersized roof beams, inadequate concrete in the slab and a sub-standard party wall were just a few surprises.
It was wishful thinking! As the former owner had previously renovated the lean-to, on the surface all looked well as it was made to look tidy for a quick sale. But once demolition commenced, the defects flourished!
Undersized roof beams, inadequate concrete in the slab and a sub-standard party wall were just a few surprises.
What did you do?
To increase the natural light, we removed existing glazing and opened up the exterior wall with large custom-made steel windows and a door. This assisted not only in brightening the space but it also incorporated the garden aspect into the design.
To increase the natural light, we removed existing glazing and opened up the exterior wall with large custom-made steel windows and a door. This assisted not only in brightening the space but it also incorporated the garden aspect into the design.
We placed all the tall units, including the concealed fridge, opposite the window. The oven and small appliance cabinet were also housed in this brightly coloured joinery. Running adjacent, the built-in laundry cabinet utilised the space in the hallway.
The new laundry.
In order to get light into the adjoining room, these tall units don’t reach the ceiling (that would have been far too high for our short client). Instead, a clear glazing panel was fitted above the kitchen joinery, ensuring plenty of light flooded the new bathroom space.
In order to get light into the adjoining room, these tall units don’t reach the ceiling (that would have been far too high for our short client). Instead, a clear glazing panel was fitted above the kitchen joinery, ensuring plenty of light flooded the new bathroom space.
Key design aspects
This aesthetics are inspired by the client’s holiday memories. The plum-coloured material is mark-free matt technology by Fenix. It complements the Italian Bisazza hexagonal cement floor tiles and is a dramatic contrast to the beautiful green marble on the benchtop.
Details such as the brass overhead shelving, timber-panelled doors, and the wine storage are all bespoke, and hit the brief of Parisian bistro.
Finally, a better-suited kitchen floor plan ensued. The cooktop and prep bench are situated in front of the large window. Entertaining outside is now effortless as the windows double as a servery and cooking is much more pleasant than with one’s back to the garden.
The new U-shaped design significantly increases the client’s storage, with the addition of deep drawers with Blum Orga-Line accessories.
This aesthetics are inspired by the client’s holiday memories. The plum-coloured material is mark-free matt technology by Fenix. It complements the Italian Bisazza hexagonal cement floor tiles and is a dramatic contrast to the beautiful green marble on the benchtop.
Details such as the brass overhead shelving, timber-panelled doors, and the wine storage are all bespoke, and hit the brief of Parisian bistro.
Finally, a better-suited kitchen floor plan ensued. The cooktop and prep bench are situated in front of the large window. Entertaining outside is now effortless as the windows double as a servery and cooking is much more pleasant than with one’s back to the garden.
The new U-shaped design significantly increases the client’s storage, with the addition of deep drawers with Blum Orga-Line accessories.
Colour palette:
- Burgundy.
- Greens.
- Pebble grey.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings in the kitchen:
- Floor tiles are from Bisazza.
- Splashback tiles in the kitchen and bathroom are Mutina Lane from Di Lorenzo Tiles.
- The plum-coloured material is a mark-free surface by Fenix with added routing for detail.
- Tapware is from Billi and Astra Walker.
- The benchtop material consists of a green quartzite top with brass edging.
- Hanging shelves are in solid brass.
- Dowling below the benchtop is from Polytec.
- Custom-made joinery handles.
The new powder room features a fluted glass door to allow light into the space while providing privacy.
Why do you think the kitchen works?
It makes sense, each space is single transition and we have borrowed the main walkway to use it in a functional area (the laundry). Also, the steel windows and use of glass make the space feel bigger than it is.
Why do you think the kitchen works?
It makes sense, each space is single transition and we have borrowed the main walkway to use it in a functional area (the laundry). Also, the steel windows and use of glass make the space feel bigger than it is.
The arched motif continues in the powder room.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings in the bathroom:
- Splashback tiles in the bathroom are Mutina Lane from Di Lorenzo Tiles.
- Catino Tondo freestanding washbasin.
The green and pebble-grey hues in the kitchen are carried into the bathroom.
Why do you think the bathroom works?
Overall, the owner is delighted with her new, organised space and the beautiful memories it conjures – memories to last a lifetime!
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? 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
Catch your next great transformation here with this Before & After: A TV Host Reworks a 100-Year Old Country Bathroom
Overall, the owner is delighted with her new, organised space and the beautiful memories it conjures – memories to last a lifetime!
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? 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
Catch your next great transformation here with this Before & After: A TV Host Reworks a 100-Year Old Country Bathroom
Who lives here: A woman
Location: Croydon, NSW
Room purpose and size: A kitchen and combined bathroom/laundry of 20-square-metres
Designer: Studio Minosa
Brief
Nestled centrally among a row of heritage-listed 1900s terraces; this home in the inner-city suburb of Croydon, NSW was ‘snug’ to say the least.
Design constraints amassed, beginning with the property being long and narrow and lacking light and storage. We also had to marry existing renovations with the upcoming ones.