Marcel Aucar
Once an old and unloved student house, this dramatic kitchen revamp enlivened a kitchen than hadn’t been touched for decades.
University students aren’t known for opulent living, so when Melissa and her family moved into an old student house, they knew they’d have to get their hands dirty. “The kitchen hadn’t been touched for decades and it was in a tiny, run-down lean-to at the rear of the house,” explains Melissa. Keen for a serious upgrade, she called on Chelsea Hing Interior Design to help transform the cramped room into a contemporary family kitchen.
Space and functionality were at the top of Melissa’s wish list, and Chelsea delivered on both fronts. “We replaced the old lean-to with a new extension, but the challenge was to incorporate a living zone, concealed pantry and cookspace into a skinny floor plan,” says Chelsea.
To inject a sense of drama into her tired kitchen, homeowner Melissa opted for contrasting colours and a variety of textures. Vinyl wrap – a cost-effective cabinetry finish that can mimic the look of timber, metal or gloss – was used extensively on doors and drawers. A panelled wall swathed in Albedor vinyl in Bitter Black makes a striking statement, and simultaneously conceals a hidden pantry. Pale walls and whitewashed timber floors are teamed with drawers in creamy vinyl wrap to lighten the mood.
Island bench
Topped in luxurious honed Carrara marble, the central bench unit plays host to an Abey under-mounted sink and mixer tap from Reece, as well as elegant kitchenware from Safari Living. A Corporate Culture ‘Caravaggio P2’ pendant offers ambient lighting, while transparent ‘Charles Ghost’ barstools from Space add a dose of contemporary cool.
Slick design, luxe finishes and smart use of space are the key ingredients in this dramatic transformation, built by Silverstream Constructions.
Cookzone
An avid cook and entertainer, Melissa splashed out on a Miele 5-burner cooktop and pyrolytic cleaning oven. “Chelsea had to convince us to use mirrors in the kitchen, and we’re so glad we did. They’re easy to keep clean and really add a sense of space,” says Melissa.
Pantry
The key to any good kitchen design is storage, and Melissa’s comes with plenty. As well as roomy under-counter cupboards and drawers, a pantry is cleverly concealed behind the dark joinery wall.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
