DIY kitchen renovation in a beautiful beachside location

Renovating and DIY kitchens aren't everyone's cup of tea, but the result was worth it for these Sunshine Coast retirees - the classic appeal of this breezy beachside kitchen renovation is a resounding success!

'Dated' is an understated portrayal of the dark teak, yellow benchtops and tiles that defined this vintage 1980s kitchen. Along with the canary colour scheme, there were problems with function and style - it was time for some kitchen DIY. "Storage space was limited, and an overhead glass display cabinet hindered a sense of openness," says owner and cabinet-maker Neil.

Having recently made a sea change in retirement, Neil and his wife, Cheryl, thought it was time to modernise their beachside abode. But rather than a completely contemporary look, the couple sought a more classic style to blend in with the traditional period furnishings in the adjoining lounge.

Elements of the existing kitchen that worked well were retained in the new design, such as the location of the fridge and the pantry. There were no dramatic space alterations in the redesign, though the cooktop was moved to a more functional position, allowing the couple to incorporate extra storage.

"Roomy drawers were created below the wall oven, and extra storage added to the divider unit," Neil explains. "The cabinets were also extended to the front wall."

A major design feature in this DIY kitchen makeover is the break-front design of the main run of cupboards, enabling the fridge and oven to be accommodated at one end and an existing glass panel at the other.

Further enhancing the seamless look is the fully integrated dishwasher and appliance centre. Created with a roller shutter door, the appliance centre keeps the often-used mixer and knife-block out of sight. Wisely, tea, coffee and toast making are separated at the opposite end of the granite benchtop - a perfect set-up for the couple's frequent guests and drop-in visitors.

Kitchen DIY renovations can be green too. Out of respect for the environment (and the composting needs of their burgeoning vegetable garden), a waste disposal unit was decided against. Another energy-saving feature is the localised lighting and dimmer switches.

The cooktop comprises two-burner induction and two-burner ceramic hotplates, providing versatility for the keen cooks. "I love the induction with its instant power and heat control," says Cheryl. "The touch control provides a clean-lined look and the absence of knobs means extra benchtop space."

Overall, this kitchen's classic appeal and breezy charm is a resounding success - all the more so for the thoughtful attention to detail and function. DIY kitchens are no walk in the park: now these retirees can relax in style.

Neil, the home owner and builder

What lighting did you use?

A total of 10 12-volt downlights were installed in the kitchen ceiling with dimmer switches. These have proved to be very versatile, together with three additional downlights in the top-unit appliance cupboard. The pantry incorporates an internal tube light activated by the door.

How did you incorporate your storage needs?

The pantry is a generous width with five levels of cut-out shelving and two pull-out vegetable baskets. Pots and pans are housed in tiered shelving below the hotplates, and 17 drawers in the kitchen enable easy access to the contents.

What are some clever design features you incorporated?

The break-front cupboards were designed to provide a generous 700mm depth for the dishwasher and sink area. The angled cupboards provide an area for a pull-out tea-towel rack one end, and cutting boards and tall items the other.

What's your favourite feature of the kitchen?

I love the overall look. My other favourite features are the break-front design, the customised border on the floor and the induction cooktop.

What's your overall impression?

I'm delighted with the result after a lengthy and complex DIY construction of the kitchen space.

What were the challenges in the design and construction process?

Incorporating the telephone and electrical cabling in the divider unit was tricky. The customised cabinetry for the break-front design was another challenge. For example, a 30-degree angle was chosen to suit the Blum 30-degree hinges.

What was your reasoning behind the colour scheme?

To complement the dark, antique furniture, we chose primarily antique white colours for the kitchen, with neutral and warm colours predominating throughout the house.

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