At Kitchen Shack we really enjoy working with homeowners who love DIY and have clear ideas about how they want their new kitchen to look and function. That’s why this project we recently completed in Gisborne was so special to us.
The homeowners first purchased this older style property in 2016 with grand plans to renovate to their likes and needs. While the home was quite run down, they were experienced DIY’ers having renovated twice before and weren’t afraid of a little hard work. They could also see the property’s potential and were drawn to the lifestyle on offer in this picturesque rural setting near their family and grandchildren.
Having completed all the most pressing updates, they felt it was finally time to tackle the kitchen. The existing space felt quite dated, with its old style green palette and statement flooring. The homeowners also felt the layout wasn’t overly functional, particularly for how they wanted to live.
In keeping with the style and scale of the property, they wanted a space that felt open and generous. A large island bench was a must, with multiple chefs needing to prepare big family meals. They also felt this would be the perfect place for everyone to congregate when the grandchildren came to visit – the kitchen being the heart of this magnificent home.
As the homeowners had an idea of what they wanted, they approached a local cabinetmaker to help bring their vision to life. Having previously installed our products, the cabinetmaker recommended Kitchen Shack as a cost-effective alternative to bespoke cabinetry. Keen to keep costs down, they contacted the Kitchen Shack Maribyrnong team and set up an appointment.
Working with our Maribyrnong Designer, San, the homeowners were able to further flesh out their design. Using the big island bench as a base, San recommended designing spaces that would work to their lifestyle. Maximising the size of the island, and creating appliance and storage nooks as well as increasing the under-bench storage ensured they would be happy with the space.
Being from a Scandinavian background, an induction cooktop was important for the homeowners’ cooking style. San suggested adding this to the island to make it even more of a focal point.
To create the homeowners’ desired look, Shaker cabinets in Lava have been paired with YDL Stone benchtops in Silver Star White. This ties in with the feel of the rest of the home while creating a timeless style statement. It also works well with the new wooden flooring to create a “contemporary classic” feel.
To complete the look, traditional chrome shell handles have been used for lower cabinets and chrome knobs for the uppers. Drawers have also been selected for most of the under-bench storage, helping maximise the usability of this space. This is complemented by “hidden” cupboards under the island bench, allowing the seating area to double as storage space.
To further increase the functionality, a “breakfast nook” has been added adjacent to the neighbouring living area. This is the perfect place for the kettle and toaster and should help streamline the homeowners’ morning routine. A spice race and pull-out bin system have also been built into the new cabinetry.
As keen DIYers, the homeowners were actively involved in the design of their new kitchen. This made the Designers job so much easier and they could easily work on a design to accommodate their needs. Our Recommended Installer helped them get up and running. We also guided them through planning the whole project.
With renovations now complete, the homeowners are extremely happy with the outcome and so pleased they found Kitchen Shack. They have shared how impressed they were by the quality of service, attention to detail in the design and the quality of their kitchen. They also appreciated how easy the process was from the initial design to installation team and support throughout.
If you like the look we achieved here and want something similar for your home, book your free in-store design today.
