Investing in lifestyle how Westpac can help

It can be hard to visualise exactly how much your lifestyle can be transformed with a new kitchen and family living area.

This kitchen, for example, is a far cry from the dark, overpowering space it replaces, says designer Natalie Du Bois.

"The clients wanted a serene, light and calm feel for the new kitchen. Other requests were for an area separate to the main kitchen space where the children could make breakfast, and somewhere to store an extensive wine collection."

Du Bois says a hallway ran behind the appliance wall of the kitchen, separating it from a storage room. As the hallway was not needed as a circulation route, it was closed in at one end to create a scullery for meal preparation. The storage room was then repurposed as the wine cellar.

The designer chose a limited colour and material palette.

"All of the materials are based around the same ivory tone. Each has its own unique texture, but the tonality links the products together. Timber panelling is painted to the exact colour of the glass cabinet doors. The panelling is warm and slightly rough, whereas the glass is highly reflective, hard and cool. The Corian benchtops are smooth with a velvety quality, which contrasts nicely with the cool limestone tiles on the splashback."

Custom steel pegs hold the bottles in the wine cellar, reinforcing the colourway, and adding to the sense of symmetry.

For most families, the first challenge involves financial planning, and this is something best sorted at the outset.

One bank that knows and understands this process is Westpac. Consultants can advise on the different types of home loans, so your loan can be structured in a way that works best for you. Westpac can help in many ways, but it is best to talk to a consultant about the options.

For details, visit your local Westpac branch, phone 0800 177 277, or go online to www.westpac.co.nz. To contact Du Bois Design, visit www.duboisdesign.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas