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Room of the Week: Magic With Marble for a Teen-Friendly Kitchen
A show-stopping marble and a design that could cope with the rigours of two teenage boys topped this client's wish list
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The clients wanted the kitchen to be fresh, modern, inviting and timeless. With two teenage boys it also needed to be highly functional, easy-to-use and pretty bulletproof.
Itching to start planning your own kitchen renovation? Chat with a local kitchen designer and renovator on Houzz
The clients wanted the kitchen to be fresh, modern, inviting and timeless. With two teenage boys it also needed to be highly functional, easy-to-use and pretty bulletproof.
Itching to start planning your own kitchen renovation? Chat with a local kitchen designer and renovator on Houzz
The kitchen before works
What was the original kitchen like?
The space originally consisted of two rooms, with a tiny kitchen at the back of the house and a largely unused room at the front.
The kitchen was small and outdated, with limited storage, poor natural light and a design that didn’t adhere to modern clearance stands – the overhead cupboards, for example, were too low.
We knocked down the partition wall between the two rooms to open up the space and create a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area.
What was the original kitchen like?
The space originally consisted of two rooms, with a tiny kitchen at the back of the house and a largely unused room at the front.
The kitchen was small and outdated, with limited storage, poor natural light and a design that didn’t adhere to modern clearance stands – the overhead cupboards, for example, were too low.
We knocked down the partition wall between the two rooms to open up the space and create a large, open-plan kitchen and dining area.
The floor plan after works
What were the clients’ must-haves?
What were the clients’ must-haves?
- The design needed to incorporate the marble the clients had fallen in love with.
- Minimalist handles.
Starting point
A magnificent solid marble slab – CDK Stone’s Calcatta Viola – was the anchor for the new space. The client had fallen in love with it long before she was in a position to design the new kitchen.
We used the marble to fully wrap the kitchen island (benchtop, waterfall ends and face) and splashback. We carried touches through to the living room for a sense of flow.
A magnificent solid marble slab – CDK Stone’s Calcatta Viola – was the anchor for the new space. The client had fallen in love with it long before she was in a position to design the new kitchen.
We used the marble to fully wrap the kitchen island (benchtop, waterfall ends and face) and splashback. We carried touches through to the living room for a sense of flow.
Tell us about the storage
Lack of storage was a major issue in the previous kitchen, so we aimed to maximise it in the new design.
The bench seat has drawers underneath it for extra storage. All the kitchen appliances are neatly stored inside deep drawers, and shelves are adjustable to give the client flexibility.
We paired the statement marble with simple white cabinetry to create balance. It offsets the marble patterns beautifully and creates a sense of calm in the space.
Lack of storage was a major issue in the previous kitchen, so we aimed to maximise it in the new design.
The bench seat has drawers underneath it for extra storage. All the kitchen appliances are neatly stored inside deep drawers, and shelves are adjustable to give the client flexibility.
We paired the statement marble with simple white cabinetry to create balance. It offsets the marble patterns beautifully and creates a sense of calm in the space.
What exactly did you do?
- Removed the small, original kitchen and replaced it with a spacious, open-plan design.
- Demolished the partition wall between it and the original front room.
- Sanded the black-stained timber floor back to a natural blonde oak.
- Reinstated the cornices.
- Gave the kitchen a fresh lick of white paint.
- To meet the client’s brief for minimal handles, we opted for a shark-nose edge to all the smaller cabinets and drawers. We then added slimline, made-to-measure handles to the pantry and integrated fridge.
Challenges you faced
Access to the site. The house is nestled on a lush hillside and the only access is via an inclinator. Smart design allowed us to create internal cabinet sizes that adhered to access constraints.
Where did most of the $66,000 budget go?
On the cabinetry and marble.
Access to the site. The house is nestled on a lush hillside and the only access is via an inclinator. Smart design allowed us to create internal cabinet sizes that adhered to access constraints.
Where did most of the $66,000 budget go?
On the cabinetry and marble.
In what ways were you able to stretch the budget?
A storage niche in the living room presented a great opportunity to use the marble-slab offcuts from the kitchen. We thickened up the profile to make a bolder statement here.
A storage niche in the living room presented a great opportunity to use the marble-slab offcuts from the kitchen. We thickened up the profile to make a bolder statement here.
Why do you think this kitchen works?
It’s contemporary yet timeless, and the finishes are durable enough to cope with a busy family’s needs.
It’s contemporary yet timeless, and the finishes are durable enough to cope with a busy family’s needs.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Black, white and blonde oak.
Materials palette
Colour palette: Black, white and blonde oak.
Materials palette
- CDK Stone Calacatta Viola solid marble, supplied by Euro Marble, to the kitchen island, splashback and living room niche.
- Corian Glacier White to the back benchtop.
- Franke tapware and sink in matt black.
- Made-to-measure handles in matt white.
- Dulux Casper White Quarter in satin finish to kitchen cabinetry.
Your turn
What do you love about this clever kitchen design? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interiors? Take a look at this Before & After: An Affordable Family Kitchen Makeover
What do you love about this clever kitchen design? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interiors? Take a look at this Before & After: An Affordable Family Kitchen Makeover
Answers by Chris Ruffé, director at Bondi Kitchens
Who lives here: A couple with two teenage boys and their dog, Ziggy
Location: Bellevue Hill, NSW
Kitchen designer: Chris Ruffé at Bondi Kitchens in collaboration with The Interior Collective
Budget: Around $66,000 (excluding appliances)
Room purpose and size: A family kitchen measuring approximately 25 square metres