Room of the Week: A Kitchen of Contrasts With a Danish Flourish
From a heavy, dated space to a cutting-edge look, this kitchen renovation hits just the right modern Scandi notes
Vanessa Walker
17 May 2021
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Amanda Prior
Answers by Helle Olsen, manager, Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Who lives here: A couple with a teenager
Location: Sydney, NSW
Approximate budget: $80,000
Size of room: A 15-square-metre kitchen (and a 2.7-square-metre laundry)
Answers by Helle Olsen, manager, Collaroy Kitchen Centre
Who lives here: A couple with a teenager
Location: Sydney, NSW
Approximate budget: $80,000
Size of room: A 15-square-metre kitchen (and a 2.7-square-metre laundry)
The kitchen before works
Brief
This kitchen was eight years in the planning, mainly because the husband and wife couldn’t agree on the appliances and finishes. More bench space was essential as well as functional pantries with lots of drawers.
Keen to redesign your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz for the best result
This kitchen was eight years in the planning, mainly because the husband and wife couldn’t agree on the appliances and finishes. More bench space was essential as well as functional pantries with lots of drawers.
Keen to redesign your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz for the best result
The new floor plan
Starting point
The owners wanted to incorporate some Danish elements into the kitchen to reflect their Danish background.
The owners wanted to incorporate some Danish elements into the kitchen to reflect their Danish background.
A Vola KV1 tap that was designed 50 years ago was a must. Vipp shelves were an afterthought.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian kitchens for inspiration
Browse more beautifully designed Australian kitchens for inspiration
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Dark with lots of texture.
Materials palette:
Colour palette:
Dark with lots of texture.
Materials palette:
- Upper and lower cabinetry in black Laminex AbsoluteMatte to withstand the family dog’s claws.
- Upper cabinets in black fluted polyurethane for texture.
- American walnut benchtops for warmth.
- Honed Bruno Perla marble splashback because it’s such a striking piece of stone.
- Grey concrete-look floor tiles with underfloor heating.
Key fittings:
- Vipp shelves from Cult.
- Black timber ladder from Top3 by Design.
- Black Buster + Punch long handles from Living Edge.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
Even though the ceiling height is 2,700 millimetres, it was decided to only take the cabinetry to 2,400 millimetres, without a bulkhead, to give the small room a lighter feel. That also created a place for the Eames House Bird (pictured in the first image) to live.
Even though the ceiling height is 2,700 millimetres, it was decided to only take the cabinetry to 2,400 millimetres, without a bulkhead, to give the small room a lighter feel. That also created a place for the Eames House Bird (pictured in the first image) to live.
Challenges you worked around
Creating the most functional space in a small room with four doorways. Three of the doorways couldn’t be deleted and nothing would be achieved by deleting the fourth.
Creating the most functional space in a small room with four doorways. Three of the doorways couldn’t be deleted and nothing would be achieved by deleting the fourth.
Why do you think this room works?
There’s a place for everything and everything’s in its place!
There’s a place for everything and everything’s in its place!
Your turn
What do you like about this kitchen? 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
Craving more kitchen makeovers? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: A Striking Marble Stars in a Family Bathroom
What do you like about this kitchen? 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
Craving more kitchen makeovers? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: A Striking Marble Stars in a Family Bathroom
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Helle, thank you for your reply.
Love the kitchen, I would like to do something very similar but with a smaller budget, do you happen to know the name of the floor tiles, and the supplier? Also do you design kitchens in Brisbane?
Your assistance on this would be great
Hi Steve b, thank you, that's definitely possible, this kitchen has all the gadgets and some pricy features. The tiles are from a local supplier "Tiles by Kate" (02) 9949 4300, they might be able to tell you the brand. We do not design kitchens in Brisbane, sorry, but I'm sure there are some great kitchen companies in Brisbane.