20th century character Mid-century modern holiday home by Melanie Craig Design

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Mid-century modern holiday home by Melanie Craig Design

This kitchen, as viewed across the dining area, interior design, kitchen, white, gray — This kitchen, as viewed across the dining area, features Stainless Steel benchtops. It was designed by Melanie Craig and Gaynore Rodgers from Melanie Craig Design.

This kitchen features Stainless Steel benchtops. It was architecture, countertop, floor, house, interior design, kitchen, real estate, white, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was countertop, floor, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, table, wood flooring, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was architecture, countertop, house, interior design, kitchen, real estate, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was ceiling, countertop, floor, interior design, kitchen, product design, gray, white

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was countertop, floor, interior design, kitchen, white, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was architecture, countertop, house, interior design, kitchen, product design, white, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, kitchen appliance, kitchen stove, room, gray

This kitchen features stainless steel benchtops. It was cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, hardwood, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, room, wood flooring, gray

View of kitchen with wooden flooring and stainless architecture, countertop, daylighting, floor, house, interior design, kitchen, real estate, gray

Residential architecture in the 1970s was not particularly memorable, but houses built in this decade can be transformed by a Mid-century Modern treatment.

This Wanaka holiday home, owned by John Wilson, has been extensively renovated by designers Melanie Craig and Gaynor Rodgers of Melanie Craig Design. Keeping to the original footprint, the design team replaced the top storey of the house and added a new kitchen with indoor-outdoor flow.

Craig says the former L-shaped kitchen was large, but very tired. And there was no connection to the outdoors.

The new kitchen, in the same position, opens to a new north-facing balcony that maximises the sun and spectacular lake views. The indoor-outdoor link is also reinforced by a composite stone benchtop, which continues out beyond the sliding door to form a built-in barbecue area.

Working with the 1970s architectural style of the house, the designers chose to introduce a Mid-Century Modern look that would also complement the owners' contemporary furniture.

"The concrete block wall, for example, enhances this look," says Rodgers. "However, the blocks were shaved to create a thin veneer, which saves space. For visual continuity, the new concrete block wall outside lines up with these blocks."

A large stainless steel island supported by plywood boards and American oak trestle legs is a key feature. At the other end, the island is supported by a cabinet clad in composite stone. All the cabinets have stainless steel feet with a dark blue negative detail. Other key features include a large automated garage door that hides an additional food preparation area, automated overhead cupboard doors, and two ovens wrapped in stainless steel, which provides a landing space for hot dishes.