Photography: Mindi Cooke / Styling: Kylie Jackes
When Gold Coast couple Lee and Kevin, bought their expansive home among the gum trees, a renovation was always on the cards. “The home was stuck in the 80s and had a particularly ugly man cave style bar, featuring corrugated iron, which just had to go immediately,” recalls Lee, who together with Kevin run building company Belvedere Living.
The solution was to convert the bar into a well-equipped butler’s pantry, which functioned as a mini kitchen until the family were ready to tackle a major renovation several years later. The tipping point were the kitchen floors, which had been laid with slate roofing shingles. “I could never keep the slate clean and as it was far too thin to be used on the floor it had begun to deteriorate and needed replacing,” explains Lee, who worked with designer Michelle Marsden on a complete transformation.
“With its Queenslander design, timber windows and exposed brick walls I was drawn to a more earthy palette and opted for dusty green Polytec cabinets in Snowgum, which resembles the silvery green of the trees outside,” says homeowner Lee. The integrated appliance cabinetry and glass panelled joinery is in Dulux White Duck Quarter.
Crucial kitchen details
Blackbutt timber floors laid the foundation for the new look and layout, with a tandem island and table running the length of the room, complemented by surrounding Shaker-style cabinetry and stone benches. Not only an aesthetic upgrade, functionality improved immeasurably and with three boys who love to cook, it’s been a game changer. “At breakfast time, everyone has their own concoction going on and the design really caters for multiple prep zones, socialising and eating simultaneously,” says Lee. “It keeps the chaos out of the cacophony that is our usual morning and we just love it.”
The kitchen features a combination of brushed brass and gold accents, which add rustic appeal. The French Provincial design of the Turner Hastings ‘Providence’ sink mixer in Brushed Brass, provides a lovely touch point, as do Prestige cabinetry cup pulls and knobs in Polished Gold from Bunnings. ‘Blake’ pendants by Café Lighting & Living round out the look.
Crucial kitchen details
“Draw colour inspiration from the nature that surrounds your home and don’t be afraid to try something that no-one else is doing if you love it,” says Lee. “I was so scared of green cabinetry but now it’s everywhere.”
Kitchen style tip
Interior design: Michelle Marsden Design, michellemarsdendesign.com.
Build & project management: Belvedere Living, belvedereliving.com.au.
SOURCE BOOK
