New light toned kitchen emerges from design rethink

In this rethink of an existing kitchen, improved space-planning enabled greater functionality and accentuated a key connection in the home

A new light-toned kitchen sits in a light-filled architecture, benchtop, interior design, kitchen, Damien Hannah, German Kitchens, white, timber floor — A new light-toned kitchen sits in a light-filled space, in this design rethink, part of a wider renovation of a 1900s cottage by Damian Hannah of German Kitchens.

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In this kitchen by designer Damian Hannah, a cabinetry, benchtop, interior design, kitchen, shelf, coffee nook, Damien Hannah

Good taste on display – the long wall cabinetry, furniture, interior design, shelving, kitchen design, Damien Hannah

As part of this kitchen design, the owners benchtop, timber floor, interior design, kitchen, Damien Hannah, German Kitchens

Part of a reinvented kitchen by designer Damian benchtop, interior design, kitchen, cabinetry, Damien Hannah, German Kitchens, Alno

Originally an office, now part of the kitchen, architecture, benchtop, house, interior design, kitchen, alno, Damien Hannah, German Kitchens, Timber floor

A designer gets the most out of a kitchen by including what’s achievable from an owner’s wish list while avoiding what might not work so well in the final out-come. The owners are the winners, as this Damian Hannah kitchen reflects.

“The owners – parents of a growing family – were renovating their 1900s Wellington villa and wanted to replace the outdated kitchen and linked office with a larger, more welcoming kitchen and possibly a scullery,” says Hannah.

“The kitchen ideally needed to accommodate more than one chef at a time and include an island and casual seating. The couple love their coffee and wanted a coffee nook, too, if possible.”

The kitchen designer looked at the overall space and considered the scullery option.

“To position the scullery where the owners requested – at the rear of the kitchen where the existing office was – wouldn’t have worked as this was the main access to the dining-living area. Sitting the scullery in this through-space would have separated the kitchen and living zone and at the same time blocked light from the run of windows on this side of the home.”

Instead, Hannah transformed the outdated office into an ancillary kitchen area – complete with second sink and dishwasher – avoiding the need for an obstructive, walled-off scullery. This opened the space up, retained connection to the living areas and avoided reducing natural light that would have resulted from a dedicated scullery. It also allowed the designer to include a long benchtop running right along the kitchen.

“I positioned one sink on the island and the other under the home’s south windows, so the owners could take in the views while prepping. A coffee station is at the western end of the bench and is separated from the longer kitchen benchtop with a breakfast/coffee seating nook.”

The latter also offers a casual office space that’s more central for keeping an eye on the kids.

Hannah designed shallow cabinetry for the new rear kitchen space – maximising storage in this area. He also introduced a handy electrical track that allows small, on-bench appliances to be permanently plugged in ready for use.

Soft matt lacquer Alno cabinetry with wood veneer panelling behind the underlit shelving brings depth and interest to the design

“The final touch was the Dekton benchtops. We also ran this hard-wearing surface down the back of the seating and across the nook footwell for material continuity the length of the kitchen.”