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Before & After: A Rustic-Meets-Chic Kitchen Makeover
From dark, dingy and dilapidated to a light-filled, open-plan stunner – see how this 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.
A hardworking hidden butler’s pantry to the right of the kitchen keeps the visible parts of the kitchen clutter-free
Describe the original house and kitchen
A slender, single-storey prewar cottage in poor condition with two bedrooms and one bathroom. The cottage had various restrictions on it and elements that needed to be retained during the design process.
The original kitchen was dilapidated to the point where it was almost unusable. It was located to the rear of the cottage.
Inspired to kickstart your own kitchen renovation? Find a local architect on Houzz to help
Describe the original house and kitchen
A slender, single-storey prewar cottage in poor condition with two bedrooms and one bathroom. The cottage had various restrictions on it and elements that needed to be retained during the design process.
The original kitchen was dilapidated to the point where it was almost unusable. It was located to the rear of the cottage.
Inspired to kickstart your own kitchen renovation? Find a local architect on Houzz to help
The original kitchen was dark and severely dated, with a poor layout and inadequate storage
Brief
This project was completed for a home developer whom we have worked with on many projects. We were given complete control to steer the design direction and develop a bespoke concept for the interior of the home, including the kitchen.
The original kitchen had a poor internal spatial arrangement and a complete disconnect from the spacious backyard. The kitchen acted as something of a buffer between the internal zones and the green space outside. We sought to connect the two zones, while creating a practical and stylish cooking and dining space.
We aimed to create more space for cooking and preparing meals by installing a large four-metre benchtop, plenty of storage and a butler’s pantry to keep clutter at bay.
Brief
This project was completed for a home developer whom we have worked with on many projects. We were given complete control to steer the design direction and develop a bespoke concept for the interior of the home, including the kitchen.
The original kitchen had a poor internal spatial arrangement and a complete disconnect from the spacious backyard. The kitchen acted as something of a buffer between the internal zones and the green space outside. We sought to connect the two zones, while creating a practical and stylish cooking and dining space.
We aimed to create more space for cooking and preparing meals by installing a large four-metre benchtop, plenty of storage and a butler’s pantry to keep clutter at bay.
Starting point
The kitchen was part of a large renovation and extension to the cottage. We looked to seamlessly tie in the kitchen design with the rest of the home by incorporating many of the same materials and the same aesthetic, such as the contoured Tasmanian oak lining boards, which were used on the island facing and elsewhere throughout the house.
The internal and external materials palette for the house was driven by the rustic and earthy tones of the Australian outback. Corten-inspired metal, spotted gum, dark porcelain and black metal accessories give the home a rugged and gritty aesthetic.
The kitchen was part of a large renovation and extension to the cottage. We looked to seamlessly tie in the kitchen design with the rest of the home by incorporating many of the same materials and the same aesthetic, such as the contoured Tasmanian oak lining boards, which were used on the island facing and elsewhere throughout the house.
The internal and external materials palette for the house was driven by the rustic and earthy tones of the Australian outback. Corten-inspired metal, spotted gum, dark porcelain and black metal accessories give the home a rugged and gritty aesthetic.
Original layout of the kitchen
What did you do?
The kitchen was relocated to the rear of the property, creating an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space.
What did you do?
The kitchen was relocated to the rear of the property, creating an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space.
New layout of the kitchen
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Tasmanian oak, black joinery and sandstone-look porcelain floor tiles.
Materials palette:
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Tasmanian oak, black joinery and sandstone-look porcelain floor tiles.
Materials palette:
- Elton Group Evenex Tuscan Oak wood fibre panelling in Black Caviar to kitchen joinery.
- Porta Contours Riverine timber lining boards in Tasmanian oak to island front.
- Ace Stone + Tiles Laminam Ossido in Bruno to benchtops at rear.
- Ace Stone + Tiles Laminam Ossido in Nero to kitchen island.
- Ace Stone + Tiles Nextone Grey Lappata 1,200 x 600 millimetre porcelain tiles to the floor.
- Astra Walker Icon sink mixer with swivel spout in Charcoal Bronze.
The original kitchen was dark and disconnected from the rear garden
Challenges you worked around
The main challenge across the entire project was the modest size and width of the cottage. This put a constraint on the configuration of the internal areas of the house, including the kitchen. We resolved this through strategic design and well-considered planning of the interior spaces.
Challenges you worked around
The main challenge across the entire project was the modest size and width of the cottage. This put a constraint on the configuration of the internal areas of the house, including the kitchen. We resolved this through strategic design and well-considered planning of the interior spaces.
The original kitchen before the renovation
The new kitchen opens onto a sunny backyard
Why do you think this room works?
It provides everything that a kitchen is required to do, plus a little extra. It is simple in design and has a neat spatial arrangement.
It provides everything that a kitchen is required to do, plus a little extra. It is simple in design and has a neat spatial arrangement.
Your turn
Which feature do you love most in this redesigned kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Can’t get enough before and after transformations? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
Which feature do you love most in this redesigned kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Can’t get enough before and after transformations? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
Answers by Jack Wright, designer and documentation leader at Joe Adsett Architects
Who lives here: A young couple
Location: Paddington, Queensland
Room purpose and size: An open-plan kitchen measuring approximately 30 square metres
Designer: Jack Wright at Joe Adsett Architects
Specification of finishes: Elm Interiors
Stylist: Elle Fullard