Photography: Tim Shaw
For the couple who own this sun-drenched apartment located on the serene South Coast of New South Wales, retirement gave them the opportunity to put down roots. “They were drawn to the relaxed pace and coastal lifestyle,” shares Stuart Gibson, design director of Birdblack Design, who took on this renovation in 2024. Top of the wish list? A space that would function well as a baker’s kitchen.
The existing palette was stark, white and impersonal. “The goal was to completely flip that feeling on its head,” he says. Warmth and texture suited the coastal locale while adding a subtle, modern take on Tuscan tastes. Polytec Woodmatt cabinetry in Boston Oak sets the tone, concealing the integrated Samsung smart refrigerator and a laundry nook with a Fisher & Paykel washing machine. Underbench joinery is finished in earthy Porter’s Paints Stone Age, set beneath Smartstone benchtops in classic Cemento Bianco.
What is a husband seat?
The cherry on top of this baker’s cake is the casual dining table. While the homeowner needed food prep space, she didn’t want baking to be a solo activity. “She loved the thought of her husband sitting close by, keeping her company and chatting while she worked,” says Stuart. He created a custom table that fits the cabinetry end panel like two puzzle pieces snapping together. Now the couple have a baker’s kitchen that works for them, filled with, as Stuart describes, “pizzazz and magic”.
Kitchen design tips
No two families are identical, so why should our kitchens be? Stuart Gibson, design director of Birdblack Design and the force behind this space, believes creating a dream kitchen is in the personal details. “Whether it’s making room for dough kneading, creating a spot for someone to sit and chat while you cook, or even factoring in where the laundry basket will go, real functionality comes from understanding daily habits and designing around them,” says Stuart.
A palette fit for a baker’s kitchen
Texture provides Tuscan flair. Birdblack Design supplied the tiles, from the travertine-look floor tiles in Beige to the splashback. Here, ‘Majorie’ tiles in Cotto and Off White create a chequered effect, beneath a slim frieze of travertine fluted tiles. The fluted profile is repeated throughout the space, in the base of the dining table and the ‘Barrington’ knobs and pulls in Polished Nickel from Momo Handles. The ceramic ‘Pearl’ wall sconce from Robert Gordon Interiors and the Vorsen ‘Wave’ chair throw a softly curved motif into the mix, enhancing the organic appeal in this baker’s kitchen.
Source book
Interior design: Birdblack Design, birdblackdesign.com.au.
Builder: Chinnock Building, chinnockbuilding.com.au.
Joinery: Best Kitchens, bestkitchens.com.au.
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