Words Carrol Baker

Renovating your kitchen is a balancing act between form and function, aesthetics and practicality. Creating the kitchen of your dreams begins with your vision. With cutting-edge developments in technology, sustainable thinking and product advancements, it’s possible to deliver a state-of-the-art kitchen that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Gather inspiration and ideas about kitchen benchtop materials, cupboards and handles, tapware, tiles or splashback materials, appliances and flooring. Think about how you’d like the space to look. When you have an idea, get a kitchen designer on board to refine your plans. They’ll assess your lifestyle, budget, tastes and how you plan to use the space. They’ll show you ways to save money so you’ll get the most bang for your buck. They can also suggest ideas and concepts you might not have thought of.

John Hall from Nobby Kitchens says a designer will have up-to-date product knowledge and be across new innovations in storage solutions. They’ll help to trouble shoot any problems and suggest alternatives.

In her role as a designer, Susan Wasley from The Kitchen Designer is often called in to design a new kitchen although at first glance, there seems nothing wrong with the old one. As Susan points out, the kitchen must be practical as it is a workspace. “It might look fabulous, but it might not be functional or easy to work in,” she says.

How kitchens have evolved

The modern kitchen has undergone many incarnations over time. Post-war 1950s kitchens were elegant yet vibrant. You might find patterned lino flooring and red cabinetry. In the 1970s, bold wallpapers found their way into kitchens along with avocado green benchtops. In the 1990s, floors were tiled and timber cabinetry reigned supreme. A decade later, drawers began replacing cupboards, new appliances heralded an age of innovation, and kitchens began to feature in open-plan designs as an extension of living spaces.

Nicholas Cioffi, market development specialist from UNOX Australia, says the past decade has been a gamechanger. “Significant evolutions in the modern domestic kitchen over the past 10 years have been driven by technology and AI advancements, coupled with environmental sustainability,” he says. “We have also seen exceptional aesthetic and functional design of the kitchen space. All three aspects combine to deliver superior cooking results, workflow efficiency and lower energy consumption.”

An effortless kitchen

Kitchen layout is a critical component of functionality. Whether you’re feeding kids breakfast on the go, hosting a foodie event for 20 buddies or dishing up an intimate dinner for two, the kitchen needs to deliver on design.

Alex Garnish, senior designer at Complete Kitchens, says when designing a custom-made kitchen, she tailors the space to suit the brief of the individual clients and the space. “Obviously, you want to maximise storage, functionality, ergonomics and the working flow of the kitchen, and you need to consider how it’s going to flow when multiple people are in the space if it’s a family zone,” she says.

For a kitchen to work well, good design is essential. Visakh Vignesh from Kitchen Connection (KWB Group) says maximising flow and storage, while ensuring the classic kitchen work triangle (sink, stove, fridge) is seamless, is the key. “Open-plan designs are still favoured, encouraging connection to living spaces, but it’s essential to integrate enough bench space and cleverly concealed storage,” he says. “Thoughtful additions such as walk-in pantries, integrated appliances and multi-functional island benches can greatly improve efficiency without sacrificing style.”

There are plenty of striking new concepts in kitchen materials that are gaining traction, as well as beloved looks set to endure. John says white kitchens are still in demand, coupled with brushed-metal tapware. “Running second at the moment are shades of green and darker blues,” he says. “Lighter oaks, and now darker walnut, is starting to emerge with other colours such as green.”

Designing a small kitchen

With more people opting for apartment-style living, small kitchens also need to be aptly designed for functionality and good looks. Alex says a smaller space can be an opportunity to discover some big ideas. “I find smaller kitchens a fun challenge to design, but be realistic about what will work and keep your appliances smaller,” she advises. “This includes the sink, keeping the cooktop to 60cm, using an under-bench oven, and smaller bins under the sink.”

Some kitchens are so tucked away you don’t even know they are there! John says they’re seeing more concealed kitchens. “Some people want a butler’s kitchen that is concealed, with the front kitchen tidy. The workspace is out the back,” he says. This conceals clutter and mess. However, taking it one step further, you can have a kitchen that is completely hidden when you want it to be. John says this is especially handy for apartment-style living. “You can have built-in appliances and flush cabinetry. Blum Revego pocket doors work very well,” he suggests.

Stylish tapware

Kitchen tapware should have an elegant finish, be hardwearing and easy to use. Beautiful tapware can serve to define the aesthetic within a space, adding another layer of style. Pull-out taps are functional and make clean-up easier.

Tapware in matt black, brushed metals such as solid brass or stainless steel, brushed nickel and gold add elegance and style to your kitchen. New innovations such as automatic hands-free taps that turn off and on with motion sensors and infrared proximity make meal preparation easier.

Seeing the light

Lighting is an important part of modern kitchen design. Todd Miller from Alti Lighting says the right lighting enhances the aesthetic and improves functionality. “The kitchen is where a lot of tasks, from cooking to entertaining, take place,” he says. “Proper lighting ensures these tasks can be carried out safely and efficiently.”

Modern lighting can elevate your kitchen. Todd says sculptural or artistic pendant lights provide functional lighting over islands or dining areas but also make a statement. “Think of chandeliers with geometric patterns or organic, flowing designs made from materials such as brass, matt black, or even glass with intricate designs,” he enthuses.

“Under-cabinet lighting is a subtle but transformative addition to any kitchen,” adds Todd. “Newer LED strip lights now come with customisable options, including colour temperature changes and dimming capabilities.”

Recessed or integrated lighting in cabinetry is also popular. “Incorporating lighting directly into cabinetry or shelving is another trendy way to make the kitchen feel modern and luxurious,” he says.

Beautiful benchtops

There’s plenty of new innovation and style in kitchen benchtops. Visakh says natural textures and earthy tones are trending, with a strong focus on sustainability. “Engineered stone remains a favourite for its durability and sleek look, while porcelain slabs are gaining popularity for their versatility and heat resistance,” he explains. “Standouts right now include Dekton surfaces, loved for their low maintenance and resilience, and recycled timber benchtops, which add warmth and character while appealing to eco-conscious renovators.”

It’s not just material choices that are evolving in kitchen benchtops, but shapes, too. Susan says straight lines are morphing into curved forms. “There are also more rounded and curved shapes to kitchen benches which are especially easy to achieve with solid surface,” she advises.

What’s underfoot

Kitchen flooring needs to be robust, able to withstand not only heavy floor traffic, but liquid spills, hot and cold elements, and hard materials such as crockery being dropped on it. From hardwood to vinyl, laminate, porcelain, tiles and more, there’s a host of viable options. Do your research. It’s also important not to skimp on cost as the floor needs to go the distance. With open-plan living, the flooring material you choose will ideally need to be used in dining and living room spaces to provide continuity.

Splashbacks with style

Create a focal point that is beautiful and unique with your kitchen splashback. Visakh says customers are leaning towards bold statement splashbacks. “Porcelain and glass are standout materials,” he notes. Metals, large-format tiles, kit kat mosaics and tiles with unique texture and patterns are also creating a stylish focal point.

Visakh adds many splashback colours are veering to neutral tones. “Think sage greens and soft terracottas — these are highly sought after, bringing a natural, contemporary edge to modern kitchens,” he says.

For something wonderfully unique, extend the benchtop material up the wall to create a seamless integration of benchtop and splashback.

State-of-the-art appliances

There are some groundbreaking new innovations in kitchens that are delighting industry professionals and consumers alike. And for good reason. Nicholas Cioffi says the Unox Casa SuperOven range features AI-powered cooking technology, intuitive controls and seamless functionality, making it effortless for anyone to master. “Other innovative appliances that pair well with the Unox Casa SuperOven are vac drawers and blast chillers,” he adds.

At Winnings there are many new innovations that are coming up trumps. The Fisher & Paykel 35 Bottle Dual Zone wine cabinet is designed for the discerning wine lover, seamlessly blending into any space. The under-counter cabinet features two independent temperature zones and four specialised wine modes.

The Celsius Plus All-In-One Pull-Out is the world’s first all-in-one with the convenience of five water types, and a unique integrated hose system.

Liebherr’s IRBPH5170 Peak BioFresh refrigerator is heralding a food preservation revolution, with BioFresh technology extending consumable freshness with scientific intricacies.

Kitchen furniture

The modern kitchen boasts ample seating for friends and family. Most have an island bar to accommodate storage and seating. “Everybody wants an island bar,” says John. “Friends, family and the kids can be on the other side of the workspace while the host prepares food.” Of course, not every kitchen has the space. “This is where you can get an expert in to say, ok, we can knock down that wall so you can have that,” he points out.

Beautiful bar stools can reflect cool minimalism, retro chic, a modern edgy vibe or vintage charm. Stools offer a relaxed seating option to complement your kitchen.

If your island bench has a standard table attached to it for seating, opt for chairs the same style as your bar stools. Kitchen seating should ideally be comfortable, easy to clean and durable.

Modern dining tables are spaces to relax and chat, somewhere to share a meal or even use as a workspace. Opt for a round table to encourage conversation, or mix and match furniture with a bench seat and dining table.

This article was originally featured in Grand Designs issue 14.1

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Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms has been owned and operated by the Stock family since 1975. One of the first specialist premium appliance retailers in Brisbane, the company has grown over the years, recently being named National Retailer of the Year (2022). As Brisbane’s only one-stop kitchen, laundry and bathroom showroom, Stocks is a favourite of clients and design professionals throughout South East Queensland.

Stocks’ Clayfield and Ashgrove showrooms are the perfect destinations for homeowners, designers, architects and other design professionals to view, select and specify for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

As part of the Designer Appliances group, Stocks is a member of the largest independent premium appliance group in Australia. With 23 stores across Australia, the national support and buying power behind this company facilitates its friendly and expert service.

The knowledgeable team and premium-experience showrooms ensure clients receive the best advice when specifying for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. The broad range means any new kitchen, bathroom or laundry supplied for is on trend and in tune with the home’s broader design style.

Whether completing a renovation or building a new home for yourself or a client, Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms is here to help with choosing the best kitchen and laundry appliances, and the perfect bathroom products for any home, need or lifestyle.

For more information

Stocks Appliances

The post Brisbane’s only one-stop kitchen, laundry and bathroom showroom appeared first on Completehome.

The collection is made up of the Mika kitchen sink mixer, Mika pull-down sink mixer, and the Mika basin mixer. The products are designed and engineered in New Zealand and are backed by an impressive 20-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind that you’re buying superior quality that’s built to last.

There are several options available to suit any kitchen style or colour scheme, including brushed brass, brushed nickel, chrome, gunmetal and matt black.

The detailed high-end finishes add elegance and flair to any space, and with many modern kitchens now a part of an open-plan home design, having your tapware on display has never been more stylish. Choosing innovative and functional products from the Mika range will add value to your kitchen.

For more information

greenstapware.com

The post Choose innovative and functional products from the Mika range | Greens Tapware appeared first on Completehome.

Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms were one of the first specialist premium appliance retailers in Brisbane. Since 1975, their knowledge, experience and range have made them a favourite of clients and design professionals throughout South East Queensland.

This is Brisbane’s only one-stop kitchen, laundry and bathroom showroom. The Clayfield and Ashgrove showrooms are the perfect destinations for homeowners, designers, architects and other design professionals to view, select and specify for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

As part of the Designer Appliances group, Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms is a member of the largest independent premium appliance group in Australia. With 23 stores across Australia, the national support and buying power behind this company facilitates its friendly and expert service.

The knowledgeable team and premium-experience showrooms ensure clients receive the best advice when specifying for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. The broad range means any new kitchen, bathroom or laundry supplied for is on trend and in tune with the home’s broader design style.

Whether completing a renovation or building a new home for yourself or a client, Stocks is here to help with choosing the best kitchen and laundry appliances, and the perfect bathroom products for any home, need or lifestyle.

For more information

Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms

The post QLD Designer Profile | Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms appeared first on Completehome.

They were one of the first specialist premium appliance retailers in Brisbane. Since 1975, their knowledge, experience and range have made them a favourite of clients and design professionals throughout south-east Queensland.

This is Brisbane’s only one-stop kitchen, laundry and bathroom showroom. The Clayfield and Ashgrove showrooms are the perfect destinations for homeowners, designers, architects and other design professionals to view, select and specify for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

As part of the Designer Appliances group, Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms is a member of the largest independent premium appliance group in Australia. With 23 stores across Australia, the national support and buying power behind this company facilitates its friendly and expert service.

The knowledgeable team and premium-experience showrooms ensure clients receive the best advice when creating their kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. The broad range means any new kitchen, bathroom or laundry supplied for is on trend and in tune with the home’s broader design.

Whether completing a renovation or building a new home , Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms is here to help with choosing the best kitchen and laundry appliances, and the perfect bathroom products for any home, need or lifestyle.

For more information

Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms

The post Brisbane’s Top Shop | Stocks Appliances appeared first on Completehome.

They were one of the first specialist premium appliance retailers in Brisbane. Since 1975, their knowledge, experience and range have made them a favourite of clients and design professionals throughout South East Queensland.

This is Brisbane’s only one-stop kitchen, laundry and bathroom showroom. The Clayfield and Ashgrove showrooms are the perfect destinations for homeowners, designers, architects and other design professionals to view, select and specify for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.

As part of the Designer Appliances group, Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms is a member of the largest independent premium appliance group in Australia. With 23 stores across Australia, the national support and buying power behind this company facilitates its friendly and expert service.

The knowledgeable team and premium-experience showrooms ensure clients receive the best advice when specifying for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms. The broad range means any new kitchen, bathroom or laundry supplied for is on trend and in tune with the home’s broader design style.

Whether completing a renovation or building a new home for yourself or a client, Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms is here to help with choosing the best kitchen and laundry appliances, and the perfect bathroom products for any home, need or lifestyle.

For more information

STOCKS DESIGNER APPLIANCES & BATHROOMS

The post QLD Designer Profile | Stocks Designer Appliances & Bathrooms appeared first on Completehome.

The result of extensive research, planning and testing, Smeg’s Galileo multi-cooking technology has redefined and revolutionised the in-home cooking experience to give you the confidence to explore and expand your culinary repertoire.

Smeg Galileo offers a whole suite of cooking tools at your fingertips with the three cooking methods — traditional, steam and microwave — used singly, sequentially or simultaneously in one full size oven cavity. Add the power of up to seven cooking combinations in one appliance and you can get creative in the kitchen while saving up to 70 per cent of preparation, cooking and clean-up time without compromising on results. With Multistep, Galileo is also a culinary multi-tasker, especially designed for notoriously complicated recipes with set and forget capability for temperature, duration and cooking technology. Another clever feature is Sametime, the ultimate coordinator for dinner parties, which allows your oven to plan, synchronise and cook two dishes at the same time, with no transfer of taste or smell.

Smeg Galileo’s three unique speciality cooking additions — in-oven barbecue, air fry and stone cooking — take your cooking options to the next level. With the in-oven barbecue, there is a specially designed barbecue tray for fuss-free grilling without the mess or clean-up. With both flat and ridged sides, the versatile duo tray creates perfectly seared, grill-marked steaks, vegetables and seafood. Recreate the flavour and crisp texture of fried food — crunchy crumbed chicken, fish, chips and wedges — with the in-oven air fry tray with ease and without the mess or added fat. And the genuine stone cooking option is perfect for authentic bread and scrumptious pizza.

With more Australians cooking in the kitchen than ever before, they are indicating they want to maximise the use of their ovens and expand their culinary boundaries. Smeg Galileo multi-cooking technology allows home cooks to discover different ways to create delicious meals, all at the touch of a button, giving a boost to your cooking and adding a wow factor to your mealtimes. Cooking should be an enjoyable, passionate, creative experience, and with multi-cooking technology, the home cook will achieve next-level food sensations with minimum fuss.

A company with more than 70 years of creating premium cooking appliances is naturally passionate about food and cooking. It does all this without compromising on style. Part of the Italian story, Smeg products are not just about function and performance, they are about form and art, and attention to detail. The way a product communicates with its surroundings and enables users to interact with it goes beyond the practical. Beautiful aesthetics go hand-in-hand with confidence in the kitchen, and beautiful food. Discover your inner Italian with Smeg Galileo multi-cooking technology.

For more information

Smeg

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For those looking to add a pop of colour in their bathroom, these Foster vintage-style sinks are a match made in heaven. The Foster KE sink is the definition of elegance and functionality. Made in Italy, the strong straight lines and vibrant hues pair perfectly with minimalist bathrooms that could use a bold touch. The sink is also made with durable steel that’s 1mm thick to ensure maximum sturdiness for years to come.

But its versatility doesn’t end there. If you’re one to multitask in the bathroom, sometimes overflow of water can be an issue. Foster is already one step ahead, adding overflow security to its sinks to prevent this exact scenario from occurring. Last but not least, these beautiful sinks are equipped with a spacious 3.5in drain that can handle any level of water, whether it be a gentle stream or a consistent heavy flow.

The Foster KE sink spoils you for choice with three colours to choose from: Gun Metal, Copper and Gold. Each design is finished with Foster PVD. The satin finish gives every part of the sinks a seamless, perfect look, endowing your washing station with unique and distinctive character.

Since its inception, Cass Brothers has become an authority in the bathroom space. Respected by architects, interior designers and professionals in the bathroom industry, Cass Brothers offers stylish, quality bathroom products that reflect the latest worldwide trends at competitive prices.
Head to any of their showrooms in New South Wales and be inspired by beautiful designs that span baths and spas, showers, toilets and bidets, basins, vanities, washstands and bathroom furniture, tapware, floor-standing bath mixers, rain showers and shower screens.

For more information

Cass Brothers

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Häfele Lifestyle Appliances celebrate the iconic Australian lifestyle and bring European design together with our renowned commitment to German quality. For nearly 100 years Häfele has led the way for innovative kitchen solutions and our appliance range continues our mission to foster connections to family life in every Australian home.

Australian for 40 years

Our homes have changed over the decades, and Häfele continues to create innovative solutions for the unique Australian lifestyles. Our Melbourne based team works with industry specialists to shape our comprehensive range of products designed to meet the demands of Australian homes together with exceptional features, quality aesthetics and genuine affordability.

Crafted for excellence

With 100 years of industry experience, our global team selects manufacturing partners renowned for exceptional quality and reliable performance, including trusted European manufacturers. Our commitment to deliver quality is founded upon our robust and internationally accredited quality assurance team that hand inspects and tests every product.

Trusted in 150 countries

Häfele’s reputation for unsurpassed German quality and service is our foundation for everything. We are passionately customer focused; we don’t just sell products we want to support our customers too. Häfele Lifestyle Appliances automatically come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty from date of purchase, and we further our commitment with an additional year so you can enjoy a three year manufacturer’s warranty*

Discover the possibilities any one of our 8 showrooms across Australia and visit our website for further information. www.häfeleappliances.com

To read more articles from Häfele click here

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Although we crave a sense of sanctuary, we also require functionality — and a look that reflects our personal sense of style. Bestlink International offers a range of handpicked, premium-quality products that will bring a unique flair to your bathroom and help you create the ambience you desire.

For over 18 years, Bestlink has proudly offered elegant bathroom and kitchen products to those who appreciate exemplary quality and demand the highest standards. This includes the company’s own innovative brands such as Innova, Toto and Midea.

Bestlink prides itself on its ability to not just meet the ever-changing demands of the modern consumer, but to stay ahead of prevailing trends. The range is constantly being updated, a task that is made easier by the fact the company has its own partner factories. This means Bestlink can design and manufacture new products as needed, and it can maintain high quality control.

The Element and New York are two of Bestlink’s newest ranges. They come in six different coloured finishes and ample stock is available, which means no waiting. Coloured tapware is currently on trend and these ranges are ideally suited to bathrooms of modern style. The New York is a pin lever range, a style of tap that is always in fashion, while the Element range of progressive mixers is both elegant and minimalist.

The Innova collection is always in vogue and products include basins, tapware, baths, showers, toilet suites and stainless-steel sinks in a wide array of styles. High-quality yet affordable, these products are the preferred choice of many home designers and builders and are backed with reliable support and service.

Bestlink’s head office and main showroom is based in Thomastown, north of Melbourne. The Thomastown showroom has most of the Innova ranges on display, everything from tapware to sanitaryware. You will also find bathtubs (mainly acrylic and solid surface) from a variety of ranges as well as kitchen sinks and kitchen appliances, including ovens, microwaves, cooktops and dishwashers.

Bestlink doesn’t sell direct to the public but homeowners are encouraged to browse the Thomastown showroom to look at the styles available and make a record of what they like. They can then take that list to their preferred supplier. Or, if homeowners are working with an architect, designer or builder, they can pass their list of preferences on to them to source.

Bestlink also has a second showroom, located in South Melbourne. This one is smaller but it has a representative range of products on display, including coloured tapware and products from the Innova collection. So, if you’re looking for a little inspiration, pop along to one of the showrooms or pay a visit to the Bestlink website.

For more information Bestlink

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