Stickybeak of the Week: A Heritage Dairy Gets a Contemporary Kitchen
For a family of cooks and entertainers who live in this renovated former dairy, the kitchen is the most important room in the house
Emily Hutchinson
13 March 2016
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra wow-factor to feature. I love hearing all about the design process behind these projects.
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff. I am always on the lookout for homes with that extra... More
When a family of five moved into this heritage dairy in Balgowlah, Sydney, one of their first priorities was to get their kitchen up and running. They love to cook and entertain and asked Linda Wiadrowski from LJW Design to help create a space that would accommodate their needs. “They wanted a large functional kitchen, that also incorporated period features to complement their heritage home,” says Wiadrowski. The kitchen took eight weeks to design, manufacture and install, and has a contemporary look that is still in keeping with the heritage home. The integrated space boasts clever storage and top-of-the range appliances.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family of five
Location: Balgowlah, Sydney
Size: 30 square metres
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family of five
Location: Balgowlah, Sydney
Size: 30 square metres
The space Wiadrowski worked with was a new addition “I worked with the architect Jean Stewart from Stewart Design Studio,” says Wiadrowski, “using her dimensions for the new extension, and her suggested footprint for the cabinets, to create a functional layout which would also incorporate the client’s wishlist for appliances and features.”
She also worked closely with the client to select colours, handles and other finishes. “The client was willing to source many of the extras herself until she found the exact style and colour she preferred,” Wiadrowski adds. Some of these details include the pendant lights, bar stools and splashback tiles.
She also worked closely with the client to select colours, handles and other finishes. “The client was willing to source many of the extras herself until she found the exact style and colour she preferred,” Wiadrowski adds. Some of these details include the pendant lights, bar stools and splashback tiles.
As the overall project of renovating the dairy was quite expensive, the homeowners were mindful of the kitchen costs. They made savings by directly sourcing some of the fixtures and fittings at run-out sales and warehouse clearances. Wiadrowski also found ways to save on costs; for instance, the island was nearly four metres long, so a join was required for the benchtop. She recommended Caesarstone’s ‘Organic White’, as the join was not only less obvious in this pattern, but the stone is a lot less expensive than some of the other new natural-look patterns or genuine marble.
Freestanding cooker: Falcon
Freestanding cooker: Falcon
To Wiadrowski’s dismay, once the large island slab was installed, she noticed a deep scratch in an obvious section. “The owner was reluctant to replace the bench, so Caesarstone offered excellent after-sales service and repaired the scratch on site, so it’s now invisible to the naked eye,” she says. In addition to the main butler sink, a small separate utility sink was installed in the island near the family room and fridge.
Neu England taps: Brodware
Neu England taps: Brodware
The perforated metal mesh panels break up the white Shaker-style pantry doors and have been fitted with antique pewter handles by Finesse.
All kitchen cabinetry and joinery was supplied by Woodstock Industries.
Clever storage ideas like this Space Tower Pantry Unit by Blum keeps the kitchen organised and cooking items easy to access.
The cabinet doors and drawers have been painted in Dulux’s ‘Vivid White’ with a satin finish. Adding texture to the white colour palette, ‘Intonaco’ tiles by Perini make up the splashback. Recessed undermount strip lighting under the overhead cupboards illuminates task areas.
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Photos don't show layouts or "whole room" feature - too wanky for my liking.