The Summer Hill Kitchen
A Playful and Practical Transformation
We love it when clients come to us with a clear vision – and a bit of a challenge! For this project in Summer Hill, our clients, a lively family with two young children and a serious passion for food, had one key request: "Make it fun!" They wanted a kitchen that was not only highly functional but also a joy to be in, a space where family memories could be made.
The "before" was a far cry from the vibrant space you see now. The existing kitchen felt cramped and dark, with a particularly awkward layout. A disused chimney cut into the room, leaving us with a mere half-metre of bench space for food preparation between the sink and cook top. Plus, while cooking, the kitchen felt disconnected from the rest of the home.
Photography by Sam McAdam-Cooper
Our Design Approach
Our approach was to bring both heightened functionality and a dose of personality to this central hub of the home.
- Maximising Space and Flow:
The first step was to remove the obstructive chimney. This immediately allowed us to reimagine the layout, creating distinct zones for cooking and preparation with significantly more bench space. We also focused on clever storage solutions to keep the space organised and efficient. Tall cabinets, including a Blum Space Tower and a hidden appliance nook, now run along one wall, while wide drawers with functional inserts maximise accessibility. We even utilised the space under the stairs for a neatly integrated fridge drawer!
- Connecting to the Heart of the Home:
Maintaining a visual connection to the adjoining living/dining area and the garden was crucial. To achieve this, we strategically positioned the Gaggenau induction cook top and discreet table ventilation in front of the opening. This eliminated the need for a bulky overhead range hood and preserved those important sight lines.
- Infusing Personality:
Drawing inspiration from the client's own colourful artwork (which now takes pride of place in the kitchen), we opted for bold, deep blue cabinetry. This creates a striking foundation for the design. To balance the depth of colour and allow the artwork to truly shine, we used fresh white Laminam benchtops. These surfaces are not only beautiful but also durable and easy to maintain. Timber veneer accents on the shelf and tall cabinets add warmth and subtly echo the materials found in the client's artwork, creating a cohesive feel. And for that touch of "fun" the clients requested? We chose playful brushed brass handles.
- Illuminating the Space:
A well-designed kitchen needs excellent lighting. Our multi-layered lighting plan ensures the space is bright and inviting, and provides a practical cooking environment, no matter the time of day.
Sophisticated and Joyful
This Summer Hill kitchen proves that high-performance design doesn't have to mean sacrificing personality. By carefully considering our clients' needs and desires, and by embracing colour and playful details, we've created a space that's both sophisticated and joyful
– the true heart of this family home.
