A space-efficient kitchen renovation

Knocking down and renovating the rear of the house, owners Richard and Magda were able to fashion a completely new kitchen, as well as an open-plan living and dining area to boot.

"Probably the biggest challenge we faced in designing the kitchen was the fact that the house is less than 5 metres wide, so whatever we did, we knew that space was going to be an issue. We had to work out a way to install a fully functioning kitchen in what is a relatively limited space."

This kitchen might be small, but it packs a lot of punch, thanks to some clever design choices and a neutral colour scheme that maximises the visual space. 

"We do cook at home quite a lot and we cook reasonably complicated things sometimes, and while it would be fabulous to have a huge kitchen, we've never found this one lacking in any way. There's enough bench space and the double oven is terrific. It makes cooking for more than two people much easier than it otherwise would be." 

And according to Richard, the presence of a walk-in pantry is key in helping the room perform. 

"The decision to have a walk-in area in what's a relatively small room was partly ours and partly our architect's," says Richard. "We're very glad we did it.

"Having an area that you can close the door on really helps to keep the kitchen free of mess and clutter - which we've discovered is very handy when you have guests over."

As the pantry is lit naturally by a pre-existing vertical pillbox window, facing west, Richard and Magda soon discovered that items stored in it were getting more heat than was ideal. Rather than do away with the window, they went in search of a solution. 

"We'd seen some lovely stained-glass windows at The Public House pub in Richmond, and wondered if we could do something similar in our pantry. So we contacted the guy who was commissioned by The Public House and, although it was a tiny job for him, he designed something to suit us. It's perfect because it still lets the light in, but does just enough to filter the heat from the sun."

So is there anything they'd change if they had their time over? "Perhaps the benchtops. They're laminated jarrah and for the most part this has been great, but we've found that you do have to be a bit careful with it. If we could rewind things, we'd probably opt for something a bit more durable." 

Ed Ewers

Architecture Matters

What brief did you receive from the owners?

I was employed to design the new extension at the back of the property, and part of that involved designing a new kitchen. We had a relatively small space to work with, so it was a matter of finding the best spot for everything so that the room would be as functional as possible.  

What were their priorities?

They cook quite a lot, so as well as looking great, the kitchen had to work well. Storage was also important to them, and is why and how we came up with the idea for the walk-in pantry. It provides good storage and is ideal for keeping the kitchen looking tidy. 

How was the colour scheme chosen?

It was important to make the space seem as large as possible, and neutrals are always a good way to do that. Using the same scheme in the living, kitchen and dining areas makes the space seem unified. 

What's your favourite 'finish' in this project?

The timber-laminate benchtop. A timber – or a timber 'look' product as has been used in this instance – is one of my preferred materials to use in kitchen designs at the moment. But my advice would be to make sure you use it sparingly.  

Richard and Magda

Why did you install two ovens?

We've lived in about 10 houses over the years and some had double ovens, which we've always found really handy; so when this project came along, we decided to do it. It's great when you're having a dinner party - it makes things so much easier. 

How did you choose your architect?

He was recommended by Archicentre and he did a fantastic job. When we first met him to discuss the project, we felt like we resonated with each other and knew that that was important in getting a good end result. 

Any challenges along the way?

The only thing that didn't go too well is the ventilation system for the oven. After the kitchen was finished, we noticed that whenever we cooked anything, the smells were pumped back into the house. But we think we've found the cause of that, so are trying to fix it now. 

How did you choose the colour scheme?

We employed a colourist to help in other parts of the house, but for the kitchen and the adjoining living and dining space, we just wanted something very clean and neutral. So we opted for different shades of white. 

What do you like most about the kitchen?

A couple of things - firstly the fact that we've managed to fit a functional kitchen into what's a relatively small space. And secondly, the fact that it's part of an open-plan room. It suits our lifestyle and the way we like to entertain.