With a focus on sustainability, this stylish kitchen reno has gone from retro shabby to mid-century chic. The bright and usable space is now welcoming, owing not only to its new layout but also the tactile and textured finishes and patterns.
Tired and “stuck in the ’70s” is not how you want your home to feel. Looking at this vibrant, modern kitchen today, it’s hard to imagine its past life as a dark, dated and unwelcoming space. “It received absolutely no sunlight in winter… we never wanted to be in there,” say the homeowners, describing the yellow laminate benchtops and splashback, mustard-coloured carpet, timber panelling and large floral wallpaper of their formerly retro abode. Located in Strathalbyn, South Australia, this 1920s bungalow is home to a family with two young children. Like most young families, they cook at home during the week and entertain family and friends over the weekend. Therefore, the kitchen and dining area needed to cater for this as well as being a central part of the home.
Right from the beginning of the renovation, the homeowners wanted to steer away from the “mainstream, glossy, minimalist look”, instead opting for a space that was “light and open, with a funky mid-century, modernstyle kitchen, with an eco bent,” explain the homeowners. Removing the remnants of the ’70s, the lino was peeled back, wallpaper removed and the mustard carpet pulled up. To open up the space, a dividing wall was knocked down, allowing much-needed light into the zone. Two sets of sliding doors were also removed and a section of wall on the western side of the room taken out to make way for custom-built glass doors.
Aside from the practical new layout and design, the environmental considerations of the new kitchen were important to this family. “It was our intention to use materials that would have minimal impact on the environment and our family’s health,” say the homeowners. As such, low- VOC materials (including paints and cabinetry) were used, the underfloor heating utilises solar power and, rather than particle board, Australian hoop pine plywood has been used. “We actually took inspiration for the kitchen design from the edge pattern on the plywood.”
The bright and usable space is now welcoming, owing not only to its new layout but also the tactile and textured finishes and patterns, chosen to create interest. A colour palette of grey and white takes the style into the modern era and pops of yellow pair perfectly with the neutral base tones, adding warmth and vibrancy.
Connecting to the property’s large backyard and designed to suit the homeowners’ personalities and lifestyle, the newly renovated kitchen shares a similar style to the rest of the home, described as “a blend of both modern industrial and mid-century modern”. The renovation not only looks stunning but is practical too. “The space was designed with open shelving for easy access of frequently used items,” say the homeowners. The central island bench also acts as a spot for the kids to eat their breakfast in the mornings and as a place for them to do their homework. As for Mum, her favourite place is the reading nook — perfect for curling up with a cuppa or a glass of wine.
With its inspiring combination of sustainable elements and beautiful design, this renovation shows how revamping a space with an eco approach can be both modern and practical yet stylish, bright and fun at the same time.
For more information
This project was designed by:
Space Craft Joinery 4 King Street, Strathalbyn SA 5255
Phone 08 8536 4680
Email nathan@spacecraftjoinery.com.au
Project info
This project was built by:
Steven Ness
Phone 0407 617 574
FLOORING
Flooring Concrete Fuse tile with underfloor heating by SunRay
Tiles Beaumont Tiles ceramic with underfloor heating powered by solar panels
WALLS
Wall/ceiling colour Dulux Surfmist (low VOC)
Red brick feature wall Recycled old red shale from Old Red Brick Co
KITCHEN
Drawers Blum intivo glass-sided pot drawers
Benchtops Laminated 16mm hoop pine plywood in Laminex Sheer Mesh EO
Sink Upstand Laminated 16mm hoop pine plywood with plywood beading, Superior Surfaces Giallo
Rangehood canopy Laminated 16mm hoop pine plywood with plywood beading, Superior Surfaces Giallo
Kickboards Laminated 16mm hoop pine plywood in polytec Stone Grey EO
Splashback Mutina Tex white tiles from Urban Edge Ceramics
Pull boy bin Blum 72L SERVO-DRIVE from Wilson & Bradley (four-bay bin to assist with recycling)
Overhead doors Blum AVENTOS HL
Oven Ariston 60cm multifunction
Dishwasher Bosch
Cooktop/hotplate AEG gas hob flat profile HG75FX
Refrigerator Samsung 710L double door
Sink Mercer undermount
Rangehood Blanco BRU70X
Mixer tap IAG ITDC1
Bar stools Freedom Tractor
LIGHTING
Underbench & overhead Lincoln Sentry LED tube strip warm white Styx2
Pendants MAKE Architecture Potter lights
WINDOWS & DOORS
Doors/drawer fronts Laminated 16mm hoop pine plywood in polytec Stone Grey EO
Doors Laminated 16mm hoop pine plywood in Laminex Natural White EO
Louvre windows Breezeway Clear low-e glass
Sliding doors Double-glazed sliding doors by Tiana Joinery
External awning Country Blinds Curtains and Doors
Words by Emma Wheaton
Photography by Lyndon Stacy
Originally from Home Renovation magazine, Volume 10.3