The kitchen is without doubt the most frequently utilised room in the house. It serves as the central gathering space for the family, for cooking and dining, and where food, crockery, as well as various small and medium-sized appliances are stored. The recent renovation of our Umina Springs house has left me especially thrilled because, at last, I had the chance to apply solutions to satisfy my family's unique taste and needs. Also, the kitchen's location at the very end of the living and dining room makes it highly visible, emphasising the importance of its aesthetics. Build by Apollo Kitchens and Joinery, here is very briefly what I did and why...
For the overall look I opted for a green muted flush profile, reaching out to a contemporary and elegant appeal. This colour scheme also extends to the feature wall in the living room, as well as various furnishing and decor items. The Venette finish of the cabinetry is a fantastic product by Polytec. It has a matte appearance and is designed to conceal fingerprints, making it easy to maintain cleanliness.
The benchtop, Arabetto by Caesarstone, boasts a warm white background with an organic and natural-looking vein that complements the green of the joinery. Small flecks of gold in the benchtop harmonise beautifully with the Flooring Xtra engineered oak timber flooring and brass handles. The Parisi mixer tap and sink, also in brass, contribute a stunning and chic element to this prominently positioned kitchen.
Strategically placing tall cabinetry and fridge at either end of this L-shaped kitchen maximises the available benchtop space, creating also a sense of width and spaciousness. The induction cooktop, streamlined in black, is both user-friendly and easy to clean, a great choice, and despite my preference for waist-height ovens, we chose a configuration that favoured more bench space, placing them under the stove. Our fridge, unable to be enclosed within cabinetry due to space constraints, had to be visible, hence its good looks were also a priority.
To enhance the streamlined look I that wanted for this kitchen, I concealed the rangehood behind doors and opted for overhanging doors on the wall cabinetry, eliminating the need for handles. The light-coloured splash-back, like the benchtop, provides a gentle contrast against the darker joinery and appliances. Handmade, undulated, and organic, the small tiles are laid vertically, creating an interesting pattern and a modern aesthetic.
While the kitchen occupies the end of the large room, the island takes centre stage within the dining and living space. The brass kick-plate, matching the Flooring Xtra timber floor, gives the illusion of the cabinetry floating. I rounded one of the island corners for a softer appeal and easier movement from the living room to the alfresco. The surface of the curve features Polytec SteccaWood with concave, vertical lines, adding visual interest and elegance in line with the Palm Springs-inspired design of our home.
As a kitchen designer, each day brings a unique project tailored to meet the distinct expectations of my clients, like this kitchen, designed to fulfil the unique taste, needs and habits of my own family. The meticulous attention to detail, with the collaboration of the design team at Apollo Kitchens, has resulted in a kitchen that truly delights me.
All of the products used in this renovation are listed HERE. Watch the online renovation show to see more of this house transformation. James Bought A House is online and free to stream on YouTube or at www.jamesboughtahouse.com
James Treble has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. James is also an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for plenty of Design information. Watch his Online Series to see how an Interior Designer renovates his own home.