East Melbourne
Design Brief
This project was for my own kitchen upgrade in a smaller galley style kitchen. The previous layout functioned well, and the footprint had to be maintained as there was no room to extend. However, there were some design issues to resolve, such as the position of rubbish bin, cutlery drawer, and dinner set which were constantly blocked to others when someone was preparing food or washing dishes. The top shelf of wall cabinet storage was rarely used, the large blank wall in front of the main bench had no design purpose and the overall white gloss kitchen appeared flat and lacked any redeeming design features.
Design Outcomes
The new kitchen design included widening the pantry cabinet above bench height and placing a cutlery drawer and full dinner set drawer beneath; this solved access issues when standing at the preparation bench. A full cleaning zone arc was created, with dishwasher, large double sink and double pull-out bins positioned side-by-side along one cabinetry run. Wall cabinets on the cooktop run were replaced with a feature stone-clad rangehood and full-height porcelain splashback.
Two Mark Douglass feature wall lights are the ‘hero’ of the design and gave purpose to the previous large blank wall. Almond coloured porcelain stone patterned matt benchtops and textured gloss splashbacks match the subtle slim Shaker style cabinetry. Bronze curved pull handles and small bronze knobs are impossible to ignore and, along with the bronze and black wall lights, add a deliberate ‘edge’ to prevent the almond-coloured backdrop from appearing too soft and pristine.
Client Testimonial
“I love the calm, warm presence that the tone-on-tone almond colour creates, and the mixture of textures and sheens. Subtle features that don’t jump out at you all at once but are appreciated as you spend time in the space, such as the textured porcelain splashback which shimmers in certain light and its texture is like a ceramic version of linen wallpaper. The brushed bronze handles are superb, and depending on their position in the kitchen, you can see amber highlights, ombre coloured edges and dark rich bronze colours. The Mark Douglass wall lights have a modern matt bronze glass shade and their strong visual presence balances well with the matt black appliances and tapered matt black tap.
From the moment you enter the home, you are drawn to the kitchen and intrigued to see more of this beautiful, calm space with a mixture of subtle and striking features.”
Tracy Wilson