Welcome to our latest room reveal - a kitchen located in an architectural home in the city. When considering the existing design, we decided against a full kitchen replacement as the exisiting kitchen could be upgraded to achieve both the practical and aesthetic outcomes the client needed. My clever clients who own this beautiful home wanted to keep their future options open and not overcapitalise on the property, so here’s what we did to totally transform the space.

The owner had lots of good ideas and was keen to see if we could upgrade the space without taking out the entire kitchen. in this case I wholeheartedly agreed because the kitchen had simple, clean lines, good function and flow, and lots of natural light. It just looked dated and needed to be modernised as the home is a luxury property in an affluent area. While we weren’t removing the existing kitchen a new style and design approach still needed to be established. So I began the design process from scratch as I normally would, with spatial planning, conceptual design, and finishes and material selections that conveyed this modern luxe look. Flooring sets the foundation for the entire design, so we chose to replace the existing tiles with a wide plank timber. Even though the process was extensive (and dusty!) the new floor adds more drama and visual interest to the space, and creates a foundation that allows the kitchen to shine.

While the existing white cabinetry didn’t look too bad, we were worried that it would look old and creamy once the rest of the space was upgraded. So we decided to have the cupboard and drawer fronts resprayed by a cabinetmaker’s painter. While this might sound like a simple process it actually wasn’t! Repairs and hinge replacements were needed to get it looking and functioning well, and it needed to be tweaked further after install to get it sitting perfectly as the internal carcasses weren’t straight. But the result is much fresher and definitely worth it.

If you know me, you know I’m not into minimalist white kitchens! A new panel under the island makes a statement by introducing a beautiful metallic finish that reflects light around. I had a gold leaf expert apply gold foil to the panel, then paint it with a bronze wash and seal it twice to avoid damage. This is such a simple and cost effective way to update a kitchen island.

We also had the black tiled splashback removed and replaced with a new stone featuring a soft grey vein.

My client has lots of beautiful glassware she wanted a home for. I designed new tall storage and a sideboard in black stained oak with reeded glass fronts to create more contrast and wow factor within the kitchen and provide additional storage. The new sideboard features an inset stone top in the same stone as the splashback, and the reeded glass shows the green serve wear within - a subtle way of introducing the client’s favourite colour.

The dining room sits in the open plan space opposite the kitchen. The wall is painted in Resene Karen Walker Smoky Green to visually zone the space, make the furniture pop and create a feature around the Samsung Frame TV. A black dining table repeats the black from the cabinetry adding a nice rhythm to the room.

Statement chairs in brass and velvet are like sculptural art pieces, adding some curves into the linear room design and referencing the brass under the kitchen island and the reeded glass pattern.

While the white cabinetry has no handles, the client and I wanted the space to feature more decorative elements. These large knurled brass handles are the jewellery of the kitchen!

Adding a large pendant is another way of zoning the open plan dining space. This pendant includes black, glass and brass, all of which are featured elsewhere in the new space. Selecting a pendant with some curves adds softness to the space, much like the dining chairs.

The existing stairwell featured a double height oval feature wall complete with a porthole, reminding me of a boat. The staircase balustrade was on a lean and made you feel like you were falling down the stairs (seasickness from the boat, perhaps?). We had a builder remove the wall to completely open the space up. Then we enlisted the help of a metalworker to remove the exisiting balustrade and make then install our new design. The new steel balustrade features vertical slatted supports and is made in a beautiful black bronze to complement the stairs and new kitchen updates.

New downlights and a couple of fresh coats of Resene Black White paint complete the transformation, and my clients now have an elevated, modernised space that matches the architectural design and adds value to the home.