Kitchen Renovation Makes Entertaining a Pleasure
A couple’s cooking, eating and living area goes from dark and dreary to lively and light-filled
Craving a new kitchen and an improved living space, the owners of this home in Melbourne, Australia, contacted Gardiner Architects to ask for help in realizing their dream. Gone is the dated 1990s addition that once housed a dark and insular kitchen, dining and living area. Instead, a bright and airy entertaining area has materialized in its place.
“My clients remained living in the house during the renovation,” Gardiner says. “They transformed their front patio into a makeshift dining room for the duration of the work.”
Pendant light: Coco, Coco Flip; wood veneer cabinets: Blackbutt Wave, Laminex; feature wall paint: Olive Leaf, Dulux; wall paint: Natural White, Dulux
Pendant light: Coco, Coco Flip; wood veneer cabinets: Blackbutt Wave, Laminex; feature wall paint: Olive Leaf, Dulux; wall paint: Natural White, Dulux
The renovation was completed in about five months, but not before offering up a few challenges —the main one being a leaking shower in the bathroom above the kitchen. “Once we’d fixed that, the ceiling and wall cladding were replaced, and insulation was added to improve the overall thermal performance of the property,” Gardiner says.
They installed exterior motorized louver windows to control the amount of light and ventilation into the space. To ensure that the kitchen was a slip-free zone, the builders laid rubber floor tiles so the owners, avid entertainers, have a soft surface to stand on while they cook.
Rubber flooring: Flexo, Signature Floorcoverings
They installed exterior motorized louver windows to control the amount of light and ventilation into the space. To ensure that the kitchen was a slip-free zone, the builders laid rubber floor tiles so the owners, avid entertainers, have a soft surface to stand on while they cook.
Rubber flooring: Flexo, Signature Floorcoverings
The clients chose their materials and colors in collaboration with Gardiner and his team. “We offer interior design services as well,” he says. “Together, our aim was to create a fresh, calm and light environment.” They selected wood laminate for the cabinetry and a ¾-inch-thick gray engineered stone countertop to add sophistication to the space.
Open shelves break up the solid row of overhead cabinets, making them feel less dense. The shelves also give the owners the opportunity to show off some of their favorite kitchenware.
Countertop: London Grey, Caesarstone
Open shelves break up the solid row of overhead cabinets, making them feel less dense. The shelves also give the owners the opportunity to show off some of their favorite kitchenware.
Countertop: London Grey, Caesarstone
To give the couple a place to sit at the breakfast bar, they went with tractor seat stools for the island. This seat is a great-looking design classic that’s comfortable too.
Perhaps the most clever part of this renovation is the large pantry, which utilizes the area under the stairs. It adds a huge amount of storage space to the kitchen and is lined with a charcoal-colored laminate, ensuring that the pantry is just as stylish as the rest of the kitchen.
The fridge is concealed behind a wall opposite the tower of ovens, which leaves the main space open and uncluttered.
The fridge is concealed behind a wall opposite the tower of ovens, which leaves the main space open and uncluttered.
The kitchen cabinetry was carefully planned by the team at Gardiner Architects to optimize storage in the available space. The cabinets are custom and feature Frost handles.
Pull-out bins for general waste and compost, a designated oil and condiments drawer, and an organized spice compartment ensure that everything in this kitchen has a home within easy reach.
Additional light falls onto the countertop as it filters through the new backsplash window, which also creates a connection between inside and out.
Pull-out bins for general waste and compost, a designated oil and condiments drawer, and an organized spice compartment ensure that everything in this kitchen has a home within easy reach.
Additional light falls onto the countertop as it filters through the new backsplash window, which also creates a connection between inside and out.
They gained floor space in the living area by pushing the custom window seat into the existing exterior wall and using some floor area from an adjacent room for the cabinetry, which houses the TV behind recessed folding doors.
Wood flooring: Spotted Gum, Boral; sofa: Arthur G
Browse more Kitchens of the Week
Wood flooring: Spotted Gum, Boral; sofa: Arthur G
Browse more Kitchens of the Week
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple whose children have moved out
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Size: 516 square feet (47.9 square meters) in the kitchen and living area
Designers: Paul Gardiner and Amelda Berkley of Gardiner Architects
The team at Gardiner Architects worked alongside carpenters Leonard Interiors and builder Jias Malpco to transform this kitchen and the adjacent living space. “The aim was to introduce an abundance of natural light and a direct connection to the outdoors,” says architect Paul Gardiner.
Before the renovation, the space was in desperate need of updating. It was weighed down by an old-fashioned wood kitchen with a somber color palette. The windows were small and didn’t make the most of the natural light, while a mix of pine and cork flooring added to the dated feel.