(Photography: Pablo Veiga)
A friend to all is a friend to none, as the saying goes. Such was the case for this galley kitchen, located in an inner-Sydney terrace house. Originally closed off and cramped, the kitchen had an inoffensive palette of white cabinets and white subway tiles to create the illusion of size and light. The style could suit many people but it had no ties to the couple who owned and lived in the home with their young child.
Instead, they craved bespoke and artistic touches, so enlisted the help of Kate Bath, interior designer at Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms. “The brief was functional and beautiful,” says Kate, “contemporary yet timeless. And not too many upper cabinets!” More natural light, a connection to the garden and a casual dining area were also top of the list.
Kate achieved this by opening up the space and adding French doors, which lead to the garden. To prevent the galley kitchen from feeling boxed in, she kept overhead cabinetry limited to one side of the space and used different materials and finishes for two lines of joinery. The result is a kitchen that dares to be different yet still maintains cohesion and class.
Introduce a touch of French bistro style
“The corner space offered a nice, cosy nook,” shares Kate. The benefit of using this space was two-fold: it made use of a corner and fulfilled the owner’s request for a casual eating space. The built-in banquette, reminiscent of French bistro style, was upholstered in Thomas Maxwell ‘Langham Leather’ in Spruce, supplied by Warwick. The dark fabric complements the dark tones of the ‘Crescent’ wall lamp from Allied Maker, with a Black Walnut bracket.
Get creative with galley kitchen design
“The kitchen was split in terms of function and finishes,” says Kate. One side focused on bench space, with joinery made from Elton Group’s ‘Evenex Sincro’ timber-look surface in Tuscan Oak. The other side has underbench cabinetry in Dulux Lexicon Quarter with a bullnose beaded detail. The overhead cabinetry has fluted glass fronts. The different cabinetry profiles add interest, achieve functional purposes and look harmonious together.
“Beaded details, ribbed glass and bespoke handles add decorative elements”
Kate Bath, interior designer
Add luxe accents of marble and brass
The Calacatta Viola marble, supplied by World Stone, is the showstopping hero of the kitchen with its off-white hue and deep, burgundy veining. It is used on the benchtops and the splashback, enhancing the dramatic effect. The stone pairs beautifully with Brodware’s ‘Manhattan’ kitchen set in Rumbled Brass Organic and Noble Elements ‘Riverstone’ knobs in Aged Bronze.
Interior design: Kate Bath, Blue Tea Kitchens, bluetea.com.au
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