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Kitchen renovation creates open-plan living with garden views

Dark timber veneer cabinetry, white engineered stone benchtops, and a marble mosaic splashback create a crisp modern look within a wider living space

This bar area sits at the side of interior design, kitchen, living room, room, white, black
This bar area sits at the side of the kitchen, handy to both the dining and living spaces. There is also a bar fridge integrated into the cabinetry. As part of the 1980s homes 21st century fit-out, speakers are fitted into the ceiling. Stone-look porcelain floors add to the natural aesthetic and help ground the large kitchen and dining space.

It's fair to say that domestic architecture has really lightened up over recent decades rooms have switched from oppressive to open-plan, while windows have evolved into full-height glass panels. This kitchen and its adjacent areas within a 1980s home are a case in point. Lead interior designer and associate at Hillam Architects Hollie Raymond-Baker says the reworked kitchen was part a of wider upgrade of the home.

"The owners wanted an open-plan dining, kitchen and connected living space that looked out to the outdoor entertaining area to the rear of the site," says Raymond-Baker. "However, we had to be respectful of the form of the home while adapting the plan for 21st century living."

Replacing the cramped, under-considered existing kitchen, the new version is open to the dining area and views. A blackbutt wall-sized door pulls back so the living room beyond can also connect to the kitchen and this outlook.


This two-tone kitchen by Hillam Architects combines white interior design, kitchen, real estate, gray, white
This two-tone kitchen by Hillam Architects combines white stone benchtops with dark wood veneer cabinetry. A mosaic splashback stands out from the minimalist cabinetry.

As part of the drive to ensure the kitchen didn't detract from the scenery, the kitchen has clean, minimalist lines and integrated elements. A television in the cabinetry beside the bar area can be hidden by pivot sliding doors while the kitchen's two large fridges are integrated just round the corner in the same bank of cabinetry. For the same reason, the long custom rangehood is also concealed within the upper perimeter cabinetry. With so much hidden away, the dark cabinetry and contrasting white stone counters take on an almost furniture-like appeal.

However, not everything is understated. The curving splashback is in white marble mosaic tile, contrasting the dark veneer.

The island has a broad overhang and stools, making it a social gathering point and breakfast area. The bar helps connect the design with the wider space while the dropped ceiling contains localised services and defines the kitchen. An existing powder room to the rear was reworked as a scullery with storage and prep surfaces, helping keep the on-show kitchen clutter-free.

The blackbutt timber operable wall, wood dining table, dining room, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, table, white
The blackbutt timber operable wall, wood dining table, three gold pendants and curving marble mosaic splashback provide accent colours in this mainly black-and-white kitchen and dining space.

Set around the corner from the kitchen, the scullery has white cabinetry and the same white engineered benchtops as the kitchen. Positioning the two substantial fridges in the connecting cabinetry means they are equally handy to both the kitchen and the scullery. The white door at the other corner of the kitchen opens to a study.

"Generous use of wood, stone and glass, gives the space warmth and elegance," says the designer.

Credit list

Architect
David Hillam, Hillam Architects; design team; Thomas Letherbarrow, Hollie Raymond-Baker, Felipe Soto and Kim Ling
Flooring
Attica Tiles from Saltino Perla
Kitchen sink
Epure Zone from GWA
Water dispenser
Zip
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended
Cabinetry
Even Ravenna timber veneer by Eveneer
Benchtops
Essastone
Splashback
Marble mosaics from Attica Tiles
Taps
Oliveri from Reece
Wine fridge
Vintec

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Joel Barbitta

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