When Nathan, a builder, and his wife Emma purchased a California bungalow in Geelong, it was ripe for renewal – the kitchen in particular. “The home was not in good repair,” says interior designer Tanya Hallihan of Studio Hallihan, who came onboard and introduced a rich palette of neutral colours and earth tones.
She started with the layout, tucking a butler’s pantry behind the kitchen. Emma and Nathan were set on a raked ceiling, so Tanya “orientated linear skylights that align with the joinery and provide soft, flooded warmth and light to the south-facing kitchen”, she explains.
“Emma adores herringbone timber floors, so this was also a core palette item,” says Tanya. The couple chose ‘Solle’ flooring in Linseed from George Fethers & Co and ran it throughout the light-filled, open-plan space.
For the island, Tanya mixed American walnut on the front and sides with cost-effective Navurban laminate in Birchgrove on the back. The central island now serves as a striking timber counterpoint and, topped with marble, it’s Nathan’s favourite element. “The expressive veining of the stone gives the kitchen its character, while the solid timber detailing adds warmth and depth,” he says.
Dulux Ecru on the joinery and walls limewashed in Bauwerk Raw White tie the whole scheme together. “It’s a space that feels as good to live in day-to-day as it does to look at,” says Nathan.
Marble with neutral colours
To complement the neutral colours of the cabinetry and backdrop, Emma and Nathan chose Calacatta Viola marble from RMS Traders, which stuns throughout with its burgundy and nutmeg veining. However, the couple went a step further than simply selecting the type of marble for their kitchen. Instead, they chose specific slabs as guided by Tanya, who urges homeowners to view individual cuts of stone in person.
“Consider visiting a local stone supplier to view whole slabs – there is… rarely seen stone,” says Tanya. “Select with your heart and pair it with quality natural timber and warm neutrals.”
The marble’s veining blends with considered hardware and kitchen lighting. The lighting includes an Il Fanale ‘Girasoli’ pendant in Brass from Light Co and Paloma Contreras ‘Orsay’ sconce from Bloomingdales Lighting. A Franke ‘Eos Neo’ tap in Anthracite from Winnings adds a dark metallic dash.
Source book
Interior design: Studio Hallihan, studiohallihan.com.
Builder: Homes by NH, homesbynh.com.au.
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