Photography: Pablo Veiga
The stunning results of this kitchen renovation are proof you don’t need swathes of colour to give interiors interest. Part of a renovation by head designer Nadia Hursky of Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms, this Sydney home was given a makeover that is neutral in tone. The kitchen’s new look includes curved motifs that speak to the home’s history, as well as tactile timber and lavishly veined marble that suffuse the space with style.
Inside the kitchen renovation
The starting point in the kitchen renovation was to remove cabinetry that divided the cooking and living zones, and to replace windows and a single portal with custom arched doors by Sydney Steel Gallery. There’s now a sense of openness, light and views. “The kitchen is visible as soon as you walk into the home, so we wanted it to have a strong presence but not be too colourful or too plain,” says Nadia. “We also didn’t want to overcrowd it, so we left out overhead cabinets and instead let the materials speak for themselves.”
Benchtop materials
During the kitchen renovation, Nadia chose custom-stained oak veneer joinery and Brescia marble benchtops and splashbacks for its opulent veining and hues. “Overall, the marble is white with varying shades of grey running through the stone, as well as soft creams and burgundy,” she explains. “We selected the burgundy portion for the curved island feature so there was a hint of colour below the eye level.” Brass integrated handles and exposed framing details deliver further depth and texture.
How to treat timber beams
The existing structural beams were stained dark red. This felt heavy in the space. “We experimented with different methods of removing the dark stain from the beams and came across a process called soda blasting, which was extremely fast and rewarding,” says Nadia. This restored them to their natural state, then finished in a neutral matt lacquer. The beams now contribute another timber highlight that complements the original oak flooring and new cabinetry.
The kitchen island
The kitchen’s central feature is the stylish island in custom-stained, crown cut oak veneer from Brigg Veneers, topped in striking Calacatta Brescia marble. Touches of brass also appear, courtesy of integrated lip pulls and a gooseneck sink mixer, all Faucet Strommen.
Arched details
The design team introduced curved notes, such as in the edging of the island benchtop and splashback trim. “The existing bones of the house included curves, which can be seen in the French doors and original curved nooks built into the wall,” says Nadia. “The arched features integrate the old with the new. We didn’t want the space to be super modern, and the curves bring back some classic but enticing elements.” A downdraft in the V-Zug induction cooktop from Winnings avoided the need for an overhead extractor, which could have detracted from the splashback.
Adding storage in the kitchen renovation
Good storage is key to good kitchen design, and in this space shelving and display areas help break up a solid run of cabinetry. Nadia also points to the necessity of understanding how the room will be used by its owners. “This ensures there is easy movement within the space, and that the kitchen remains uncluttered and functional,” she says of the circulation and flow. A ‘Cuisine 68’ fireclay sink from Turner Hastings is a practical but unobtrusive addition to the island bench. Functional beauty is also in the details; here, a knife block becomes an integral part of the cutlery drawer
Interior design: Blue Tea Kitchens & Bathrooms, bluetea.com.au.
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