Mid-century fare

Designed by Kelly Holland, K.Holland Architectural Interiors

From the designer:

This kitchen renovation focussed on transforming a dated and poorly functioning space into a bespoke culinary environment tailored to the lifestyle and working style of renowned chef Stefano DePieri. 

While the home retained its mid-century charm, the original kitchen had been unsympathetically renovated during the 1990s. 

The space was arranged in a traditional U-shaped layout and finished with inexpensive materials including laminate cabinetry, Formica benchtops and standard D-pull handles. 

The result was bland and disconnected from the character of the house. 

One original element had fortunately survived: a beautifully simple solid timber overhead shelf. 

This small but authentic detail became the starting point for the new design language.

The layout was fundamentally reworked to improve flow, light and connection to the garden. 

The original benches that ran along the external wall were removed, and a wall between the kitchen and an under-utilised back entry space was taken out to expand the room. 

To strengthen the relationship between the interior and the outdoors, the existing dining and kitchen windows were lowered to floor level and replaced with French doors that open directly to the alfresco area and rear garden. 

This transformation floods the kitchen with light and allows Stefano to move seamlessly between cooking, dining and outdoor entertaining.

With the perimeter cleared, a central island bench was introduced as the focal point of the room. 

Designed specifically around Stefano DePieri’s cooking style, the island functions as both preparation space and social hub. 

The work surface incorporates subtle set-down areas and a raised lip around the messier preparation zones, allowing ingredients and liquids to be easily wiped back into the extra-large sink. 

Additional set-down edges help contain splashes, an important detail for a chef who cooks energetically and often works quickly.

Storage was also significantly upgraded. 

The original walk-in pantry was stripped back and reconfigured with efficient shelving and bench space for small appliances, allowing the main kitchen to remain visually calm. 

A large bank of integrated refrigeration – including fridge, freezer and wine storage – was concealed behind cabinetry clad in the home’s original timber panelling, allowing it to disappear into the room while preserving the home’s mid-century character. 

At the far end of the kitchen, an additional side bench and extensive cabinetry were added to house the many bowls, pots and utensils required in a professional-level kitchen.

The joinery design draws inspiration from mid-century cabinetry traditions. 

Cabinet doors are framed with slender battens, and a bespoke profile was designed into the top rail to double as an integrated handle. 

For the benchtops, terrazzo was selected as a playful nod to the era. 

Widely used as a flooring material in mid-century homes, terrazzo introduces colour, durability and a distinctive texture that gives the kitchen its vibrant mid-century flair while standing up to the demands of serious cooking.

Story by: Trendsideas