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Room of the Week: A Country-Style Kitchen With an Urban Twist

A standard '80s kitchen was transformed into a texturally rich space that embraces warmth and effortless style

Vanessa Walker
Vanessa WalkerNovember 22, 2020
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor.
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In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Photos by Pablo Veiga
Answers by Ciara Tapia, architect Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Styling by Yael Stern

Who lives here: An artist and her husband who is an avid chef, and their two children.
Location: Summer Hill, NSW
Year of renovation: 2020
Approximate budget: $50,000
Size of the room: 26 metres square
Before Photo
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
The kitchen before works

Challenges you worked around
COVID-19. A lot of the original items nominated for the rest of the renovation had to be reselected due to restrictions overseas and lack of stock in Australia.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Brief
  • The husband loves to cook so the functionality of this space was crucial.
  • The wife wanted a collective country style with an urban twist.
  • The palette of all-natural materials was essential for this kitchen; they would tell a story and create character as the space aged with the family.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Starting point
Layout and stone-top selection. We used slimline Shaker-style timber veneer doors, stained black, combined with marble bench tops, brass accents, fluted glass and mid-century furniture.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
The new floor plan
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Key design aspects

Colour palette:
  • Dulux Ticking but within a stain to the cupboards.
  • Dulux Natural White.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Materials palette:
  • American oak cupboards with black stain.
  • Reeded glass infills.
  • Super White dolomite benchtop.
  • Handmade Moroccan tiles to the splashback.
  • Timber veneer open shelving.
  • Black metal handles.
  • Brass hanging rods.
  • Oak tongue-and-groove flooring.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Key fittings:
  • Wolf cooktop and range hood.
  • Sub Zero fridge/freezer.
  • Perrin & Rowe tapware.
  • Shaws of Darwen sink.
Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Why do you think this room works?
It is built perfectly for the family and their forever-changing lifestyle as the children get older. The materials will age gracefully with the family and it will not date as no trend was followed.


Your turn
Which idea 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.

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Want more kitchen design inspiration? Take a look at this Room of the Week: A White, Light-Filled Kitchen With Pops of Sage
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Comments (5)
See 2 more comments
  • Sue Gelade
    last month

    Nice kitchen, but I’m curious as to why anyone would bother to use timber like American Oak, but then cover it over with a dark stain so you can’t see it.

  • Kate Williams
    last month

    A beautiful kitchen, but Id not be comfortable with such a little space to the right of the cooktop

  • HU-319610855
    last month

    Beautiful job- love the tile and the wolf cooker. So much better than the generic “before“

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