Before & after: Kitchen makeover in record time
As their family grew, this couple began to need a lot more space. The kitchen was one of the first cabs off the rank in renovating their dated beach bungalow and it was completed just before their son was born.
Originally positioned in the centre of the home, the old U-shaped kitchen was tiny, impractical and one of the first areas to be transformed. “It wasted space and had a lot of dead corners, so I was really keen to gain more room by pushing out a wall and having a galley layout,” explains homeowner Martine, who opted for timeless white Laminex vinyl wrap cupboards and solid-surface benchtops.
A glass splashback in Dulux Persian Belt adds an exuberant burst of colour, while a charcoal kickback under the island bench cleverly conceals scratches and marks.
Lesson learned
Recognise what you can accomplish yourself and what tasks are beyond your DIY capabilities, advises Martine. “Painting may seem like an easy job, but ceilings are especially hard to get right and are sometimes better left to experienced professionals,” she says.
Budget breakdown
Appliances: ‘SA987CX-2’ convection microwave oven, $890, ‘SFA304X’ multifunctional oven, $1590, both Smeg
Cabinetry: Freestyle solid-surface benchtops in Arctic White, from $363/sqm, vinyl wrap cabinet doors in Polar White, from $90/sqm, both Laminex
Splashback: Painted in Wash & Wear 101 Barrier Technology in Persian Belt, $89.45/4L, Dulux
Stools: ‘Willox’ oak & steel stools, $550 each, Maker Studio
