A timber kitchen with a versatile and social space
Jam-packed with features and home to multiple functions, this timber kitchen renovation offers timeless appeal and creates a space that is ideal for meal preparation, relaxing and social occasions.
The term 'feature packed' couldn't be more appropriate than in this Melbourne kitchen renovation. With a computer, plasma TV, workstation and bookcase all within reach, there's hardly a reason for home owner Frank, who's also a keen cook and entertainer, to leave the room.
Considering it was an old garage-type kitchen set-up, it's no wonder Frank decided to gut the room and start with a blank canvas. "I wanted to start from scratch," he explains. "I enlisted the help of a builder to shell it out, then Will came on board and suggested several possibilities for a final layout."
The spacious, open area is evenly divided into kitchen and living areas. However, the boundaries are nicely blurred for entertaining, with the long island bench encouraging conversation with the chef and simultaneous vantage to the living room.
"The generous three-metre island bench is used as a workstation, entertainment area and somewhere to perch with a book," explains Will Caspersz of Zesta Kitchens. "As well as wanting plenty of workspace, Frank desired the cooking facilities of a chef, including an induction hotplate, quality rangehood and large raised oven."
The latest technology in gadgets and hardware also feature in this clever kitchen design. There are pull-out drawers and rubbish bins, a corner pantry and top-range hinges - even a lemon and orange squeezer resembling a spaceship. "Frank has every conceivable kitchen gadget - and he uses them all, when cooking and entertaining in the kitchen," Will laughs.
Despite its jam-packed appearance, there are two large work areas that offer simplicity of function. "Food can be prepared against the back wall, but do an about-face, and there's an invitation for people to converge on the kitchen," Will says. "The beauty of this kitchen is its warmth - there's nothing clinical or cold about it."
Use of solid American oak and timber veneer contribute to the kitchen's welcoming feel. "American oak is a character-grain timber that's more inviting than Vic ash, and also offers consistency of colour in a timber kitchen design," Will explains. "Together with the CaesarStone benchtop, which fits the low-maintenance brief, the colours and materials are modern, yet timeless."
Overall, this kitchen emanates warmth and character. With enough gadgets and features to keep any aspiring chef amused, it's the obvious hub of this happy home and the ideal setting for kitchen entertaining.
Will Caspersz, from Zesta Kitchens
What's your favourite feature of the kitchen?
I love the look and feel of the space - a timber kitchen is warm, inviting and pleasant. I also like its feature-driven aspect, which is typical of a galley kitchen.
Were there any challenges in the design or construction?
Yes, mostly in the design. Incorporating kitchen, library, media, work and social functions in the one room was quite tricky! Initially, it was just a kitchen, but it quickly snowballed. Luckily, everything we added was an enhancement.
Did your plans change along the way?
Not really. The theatre screen next to the bookcase was part of the original plan, but it was a bit big for Frank's day-to-day purpose, so the plasma TV was an additional feature.
Would you do anything different next time?
No, it's extremely well designed, with great use of space for both social kitchen entertaining and cooking functions. Frank was closely involved with the planning - he knew what he wanted from the beginning.
Frank, the Homeowner
How involved was the renovation?
We started from scratch. A builder knocked the room back to a shell. Will discussed various options and came up with a final layout. He also designed a set of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves for the long wall of the room, which features the same handles as the kitchen.
What was your favourite part of the process?
I'm a keen cook, so I was delighted to work out a new set of appliances, including a large, raised wall oven and induction cooktop.
What's your favourite feature of the kitchen?
I love the induction stovetop. It can be used as a workspace too. The lovely eight-to-10-metre expanse of the CaesarStone along the wall and island bench is also great. It was important to me to have a long island bench to seat guests comfortably.
What are some other features you like?
The sink in the island bench worked out well, but because it's deep and square-shaped, it's hard to get the corners to drain properly. The new kitchen has lots of cupboard space - Will didn't think I could fill all the cupboards!
Were there any challenges in the project?
There were a few small hassles that were easy to fix. The bottom pantry door next to the oven had a small piece of veneer come loose, so some metal was placed between the oven and pantry wall to stop the heat coming through.
Featured Kitchen Products
- Drawers - Self-closing, steel-sided, 16mm solid base
- Splashback - Vitreous china tiles
- Cabinetry - 16mm HMR construction, Hettich hardware
- Joinery - American oak doors with raised shield panel
- Lighting - Quartz halogen low voltage
- Oven - IAG 90cm multi-function, programmable rotisserie
- Cooktop - IAG 60cm electric induction
- Rangehood - IAG 90cm s/s canopy with centrifugal fan
- Sink - Franke square commercial under slung
- Benchtops - CaesarStone 'Almond Rocca' with 40mm square edge
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