Awards Category: Small Kitchens WA, Kitchens Plus WA, Traditional or Themed Design and Design Spaces (Residential)
Designer: Richard Bell
Flexi Renovation Group’s multi-award-winning senior designer Richard Bell brings more than a decade of industry experience and a unique professional background as both a designer and a chef. This combination allows him to create spaces that balance aesthetics, practicality and everyday functionality.
Mediterranean Marvel
Nominated at the KBDi Awards for Traditional or Themed Design, Richard Bell drew on the warmth, texture and character of Spanish Mediterranean interiors. The former kitchen was dominated by exposed brickwork and lacked the openness and flow needed for both everyday cooking and entertaining. The redesign establishes a generous sequence of dedicated cooking, preparation, cleaning and storage zones.
Materiality is central to the transformation. Laminex TrueScale Austral Oak Absolute Grain cabinetry introduces a warm, tactile timber texture to the room. This is balanced by Polytec Classic White Matt cabinetry, providing a crisp, understated counterpoint without disrupting the warmth of the palette.
Dekton Porcelain Umber surfaces deepen the earthy tones, while Q Stone Blanc Naturel benchtops introduce a softer stone element. Together, the finishes create a layered composition that feels grounded and inviting.
The kitchen’s most distinctive moments come through its curves. A bespoke rangehood creates a sculptural focal point above the cook zone. Below, the island follows the same gentle geometry, wrapped in glossy Bejmat-style tiles that catch the light across their uneven, artisanal surfaces.
A carefully integrated walk-in pantry provides additional storage within the existing footprint, allowing everyday necessities to remain concealed while preserving the openness of the main kitchen. The result is a sophisticated interpretation of Mediterranean living, where warm timber, tactile surfaces, natural stone and curved forms combine to create a kitchen that feels generous, relaxed and made for gathering.
Contemporary Connection
For its Kitchens Plus nomination, Bell and Flexi Renovation Group transformed this cramped Perth kitchen. The existing space was disconnected and awkwardly configured, with a raked ceiling restricting cabinetry and a dated limestone brick breakfast bar dominating the room. The ambition was to create a warm, contemporary kitchen that could move effortlessly between everyday family life and entertaining.
The first intervention was architectural. Modifying the existing bulkhead established a clean, flat ceiling plane, framing it as the centrepiece of the home while retaining the drama of the original raked ceiling beyond. The change gives the room a stronger sense of definition and allows the kitchen to connect naturally with the adjoining dining and outdoor areas.
Polytec Boston Oak Woodmatt cabinetry brings warmth through its natural timber character, while Polytec Silk Matt cabinetry across the perimeter and scullery creates a softer, restrained backdrop. At the island, Bonlex Premier Black Matt profile panels introduce a deeper contemporary note, complemented by matt-black lip pulls. Warm brushed nickel handles add a subtle metallic glow to the tall cabinetry, while bevelled finger-grip openers keep the base cabinetry streamlined and practical.
Q Stone Riverina was selected for the benchtop and splashback, its quiet marble-like pattern providing a gentle visual rhythm that allows the cabinetry to remain the hero. A generous central island provides uninterrupted preparation and gathering space, while the scullery is designed to absorb the mess of entertaining behind the scenes.
For over 25 years, Flexi Renovation Group has been a trusted name in Perth’s renovation industry, delivering tailored, high-quality transformations that stand the test of time. What sets Flexi apart is its unique end-to-end approach. From the initial in-home consultation and concept design through to manufacturing, project management and installation, every stage is coordinated by an experienced in-house team.
For more information
Flexi Renovation Group
P 08 9301 4200
F Flexi Renovation Group
I flexi_perth