Wall modification was the key factor in creating a spacious family kitchen.
Believe it or not, the previous kitchen featured a walk-in brick pantry that was too large for the room. It actually narrowed the entry passage into the kitchen so when it was time to renovate, this was definitely something that had to go.
Other brickwork in the room made the kitchen very unworkable while the cabinet doors were made from pine. They looked especially aged and didn’t suit the current décor of the home. The appliances were tired and the floor tiles were decidedly old-fashioned.
The owners enlisted The Kitchen Factory’s help to create a brighter kitchen in terms of light and style. The brief specified that they wanted to retain a good-sized pantry that didn’t take up too much floor-space, not lose any bench space in the new layout and include a breakfast area and a better wash-up area.
The building alteration was definitely the biggest design consideration. The original pantry dominated the room and caused a bottleneck at the entrance to the kitchen, so this had to be redesigned. The flooring was another major factor. Tiling was used throughout the adjoining rooms, so a vast area of floor space needed redoing after the kitchen was renovated. The addition of a full-size, granite splashback to match the benchtop is a real feature; it immediately draws the eye as soon as you walk into the room.
Split-level Fisher & Paykel DishDrawers and the fridge on plinth add a touch of luxury.
While the style is simple and modern, there is no doubt that it will stand the test of time thanks to the materials and colours used.
Fact file:
DOORS Moulded MDF door finished with two-pack satin-finish polyurethane
PANELS All panels match the door finish, Alabaster
MOULDINGS Painted in Alabaster to match doors
INTERNAL HARDWARE Blum Tandembox internal roll-out shelves and drawer system, Willow bins
HANDLES Galvins Metakor tapered bow brushed chrome
BENCHTOP Granite in Cosmic Black
SPLASHBACK Granite in Cosmic Black
KICKBOARDS Laminate with colour to match doors
FLOOR Marri plank flooring
WALLS Building alteration by The Kitchen Factory
LIGHTING All 12-volt halogen to ceiling and internal cabinet lights
APPLIANCES include Fisher & Paykel oven, cooktop, rangehood, filter unit, two single DishDrawers and pigeon pair refrigerator
COST, approximately, for design, manufacture, installation, appliances, plumbing and electrical, $40,000