There’s plenty of reasons to love timber benchtops. The style, aesthetics and durability of timber is second to none. If you’ve decided on timber benchtops for your kitchen reno then you’ll be well aware that they can come with a decent price tag. Typically, you can expect to pay $350 per square metre for a cheaper timber, like bamboo and up to $1200 per square metre for a hardwood like Jarrah or Ironbark.
Installing timber benchtops is worth the spend for many renovators but with a very specific catch; timber needs to be treated well to really pull its weight. Timber is what’s referred to as a ‘soft’ material. This is especially true when comparing it to other materials typically used to makes benches like laminate and stone. This can mean ongoing maintenance issues, especially if you don’t get things right from the get go.
The biggest mistake you can make with your timber benchtops, is not treating the wood properly and thoroughly from the get-go. Investing the time and money in a product that will protect your investment in the long term is key to ensuring a good, long term finish.
Cabot’s new Benchtop Clear timber coating product for interior benchtops and tables is a highly durable, heat and stain resistant coating product that protects against almost anything your kitchen has to throw at it with the added bonus of enhancing the natural grain of the timber to prolong its appearance and minimise the chances yellowing over time.
One of the biggest selling points of the product? Its food safe properties, which keep timber surfaces protected from nasty liquids while providing a more hygienic food preparation area. James Fisher, Senior Brand Manager for Cabot’s explains that consumers are often being directed to flooring grade clears and tung oil-based products. “These aren’t specifically formulated for benches and don’t contain the food safe stamp of approval,” says James. “Benchtop Clear, however, has been designed with exactly this purpose in mind, to offer people a safe, simple and hard-wearing way to safeguard their kitchen’s timber surfaces.”
Cabot’s advises re-coating your benchtops every 6-12 months to ensure their longevity.
Cabot’s Benchtop Clear is available in 1L tins, in both Satin and Gloss finishes. For more information, visit www.cabots.com.au
The Cosentino Group has launched its premium granite surface, Sensa® by Cosentino in Australia.
The first eight exotic granites to be launched here are Black Beauty, Glacial Blue, Orinoco, Colonial White, Indian Black, Ice Blue, Moak Black and Bianco Anticoare.
Black Beauty (polished): Perfect combination of gloss and matte. Black Beauty features a textured finish that perfectly combines the most exotic gloss and matte to provide a deep black granite with random white veining.
Glacial Blue: The more exotic side of silver Glacial Blue features a polished texture and a silver hue that combine to make a crystalline appearance.
Orinoco: The wild side of granite. White, gold and copper veins are sometimes interrupted by silver minerals which stand out against an intense black background creating a unique and inimitable stage.
Colonial White: Spectacular white with a hint of red. Colonial White, with its polished finish, is an Indian granite with a white background that is contrasted with round accumulations of various sizes that stand out for their dark red colour.
Indian Black: Exotic dark intensity. With a bright polished finish, Indian Black offers a dark and intense granite throughout the entire volume. Its black background is interspersed occasionally with different and captivating clear veins, almost crystalline, which further enrich the aesthetics of the granite.
Ice Blue: Wild combination on a surprising white background. Ice Blue is a granite with a polished texture and has a striking white background, something very hard to find in this material. The black enclaves, together with cream or tan veins, offer a seductive and wild design in the final appearance.
Moak Black: The sheer elegance of an intense dark granite. The granite in its suede finish, has a matte and intense black hue that provides impressive result for its harmony, uniqueness and beautiful finish. The neutrality born of nature with this granite is characterised by exquisite elegance.
Bianco Antico: Unpredictable exotic compositions. The combination of a clear, grey and brown background of the granite. Bianco Antico, with a polished texture, creates colour compositions giving it an unmatched exotic nature.
The Cosentino Group has also added three new ultra lustrous colours to its Dekton® XGloss line.
Glacier, Fiord and Tundra pay homage to the nobility, history and timeless qualities of materials used since ancient times. In these three colours, aesthetic beauty is fused with the fascinating luminosity and high-tech quality.
Glacier: Inspired by natural stone, Glacier displays a fine marbling of a golden colour on a white background. This is a lustrous proposal by virtue of its polished finish, and is an understated, subtle option, due to its remarkable colour. Glacier is the epitome of design, purity and elegance in its all aspects.
Fiord: Inspired by nature, Fiord recaptures the beauty of the most luxurious cream tones of Onyx. Yellows, earthen colours and other intense tones make up the range of colours within Fiord, infusing it with warmth and unmistakable nuances. The original randomness of its design lends a natural, unique and dazzling structure to its finish. Fiord is sophistication in its purest essence.
Tundra: Inspired by natural stone, Tundra offers a white base with grey flecks running through it, which create and highlight unprecedented paths. Tundra, with its candid, authentic appearance, recreates the properties of marble, with its remarkable structure of veins, its sumptuous luminosity and its subtle white background. Tundra is synonymous with infinite exquisiteness.
These three new shades are achieved through advanced nanotechnology and mechanical polishing treatment, produce a dazzling, crystalline shine, and high levels of durability and strength.
Thanks to the Particle Sintering Technology (TSP) used in its manufacture, Dekton® XGloss has outstanding technical properties, including resistance to UV rays, abrasion, staining or thermal shock, thus making it the perfect material for both indoor and outdoor use: façades, kitchen or bathroom counter tops, floors and paving, stairs and other types of cladding.
Dekton® is available for manufacture with the option of large slabs sizes of up to 144cm x 320cm and in thicknesses of 20mm, 12mm and 8mm thus increasing both its aesthetic and architectural possibilities. Dekton® by Cosentino continues demonstrate that it is the best ally for designers and architects worldwide.
Have a tired kitchen and not sure where to start? Well, if you know one thing for sure, it’s that your kitchen needs improvement and you have a limited budget to make your dollars count. This brief guide will help you work out where to save and where to splurge, so your kitchen can be updated and fit your expectations in no time.
Make sure you plan ahead
With the average cost of an Australian kitchen renovation being between $12,000 and $19,000, it’s important to dissect the details and get the most bang for your buck.
Over the past few months you’ve likely been thinking about how your kitchen might look and have collated numerous sources of inspiration, but have you spent the time organising everything and working out what’s really going to work for your space and lifestyle? You should.
Putting time into planning will:
Help you avoid making expensive mistakes
Give you the power to budget your kitchen renovation accordingly, and
Assist you in working out a realistic schedule to work to
Think about what’s practical
While we might all want a kitchen fit for a celebrity chef, sometimes all the trimmings just aren’t practical.
Is a double sink and a huge kitchen island really necessary? Think about how practical these items are for you in the long-term. If you’re a person who likes to entertain and has a large and busy family then this might be a necessity. And if not, you could be wasting your money.
It’s important to think about your lifestyle as this can help to dictate whether you spend more on items and areas that support your day-to-day movements and priorities. So hey, if you’re a budding cook, a high-end appliance range may be worth the investment.
Consider faux or lookalike materials
There a plenty of high quality look-alike materials on offer, and choosing to use them doesn’t mean you’re going to reduce the quality or functionality of your kitchen. Many of these materials are just as aesthetically pleasing than their more expensive counterparts with amazing durability to boot.
Consider:
Vinyl or laminate flooring — these materials can look just as fantastic as timber or tiles and cost a fraction of the price
Acrylic splashbacks — these cost little to buy and install and can give you the sleek and expensive appearance you desire
Laminate benchtops — there’s a reason why laminate is so popular in Australian homes. It’s durable, stain resistant and available in a huge range of styles and colours that successfully mimic more expensive benchtop materials
Mix and match your materials
You might not be able to budge on having that natural stone benchtop on your kitchen island, and that’s fine, because there are ways to make this work for a limited budget. You can splash out on expensive materials for one component of your kitchen and then choose complementary materials in other working areas.
For example:
Install a natural stone benchtop for your kitchen island and use laminate materials in other areas
Use melamine for cabinet, drawer and door fronts and splash out on more expensive brass fixtures
Choose a cheaper flooring option and spend big on a modern tiled splashback or dramatic lighting
In these cases it can pay off to make a compromise with more expensive fixtures, materials and items taking centre stage. You can have a kitchen full of middle-range materials, or you can truly elevate it by choosing wisely.
Only you can work out and choose what needs replacing and how much you can afford to allocate to different components. While you might have to make some compromises, remember you can do so without sacrificing quality and style.
Laminex’s recently unveiled 2016 Colour Palette, brings new design-leading decors and surface innovation to their range.
Featuring 20 decors, that not only reflect global design trends, but more importantly, fulfil the growing needs of Australian customers, the range includes warm woodgrains, veined stone and greys that inject style, creativity and desirability.
The new range also has the added benefits of Protec+ for enhanced hygiene performance. A proven antimicrobial technology that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungus on surfaces, Protec+ ensures protection against microbes.
Also taking the new decors to the next level is the recent advances meaning fabricators can now achieve a much tighter-edge angle, replicating the look of a stone slab at a fraction of the price. Australians have always liked the idea of a benchtop option that provides the look of stone with the affordability of laminate and now they can finally have it!
With more than 80 years of innovation under their belt, Laminex prides themselves on pushing and exploring the boundaries of design.
Most of us don’t have the luxury of an endless budget for home renovating but there are several ways to bring a high-end look to your home without the high price. Get started creating your dream kitchen with these tips from Freedom Kitchens.
Be inspired
Browse magazines, showrooms, home design blogs and sites like Pinterest or Houzz to gather inspiration. Take note of the kitchens that catch your eye and what it is that you like most about the design.
HOT TIP: Start a list of what you think are the ‘must haves’ versus the ‘nice to haves’.
Cabinetry solutions
Bespoke, high-end kitchens will feature custom cabinets, however you can achieve a similar look at a fraction of the cost. For example, Freedom Kitchens offers flexibility with its extensive range of door styles, colours and finishes and will create a kitchen to suit any style.
HOT TIP: Stick to cabinets rather than drawers. This is much more cost-effective and will leave some extra cash to spend on other luxuries within the kitchen.
On the surface
How you use your kitchen will determine the benchtop you use. Avid entertainers may place more emphasis on achieving an aesthetic centrepiece, whilst an investor may see value in choosing a more economical yet hard-wearing surface.
The most common styles are outlined below:
Solid Surface – allows for a seamless finish and is hygienic, non-porous, and resistant to stains and heat. It comes in many different colours and is available in matte, semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes.
Caesarstone – is the most durable stone benchtop. It has the look of natural stone and is highly resistant to staining. Quartz surfacing is low maintenance, non-porous and very hygienic.
Laminate – is a durable and economical alternative available in a wide range of colours, finishes and textures many of which replicate the current stone colours and timber tops available on the market today.
HOT TIP: Get a designer look by combining two contrasting benchtop colours, materials, heights or thicknesses. The variation will pique interest whist providing the opportunity to include that feature top if it’s on your must have luxury list!
Customise with colour
Create visual interest and make your kitchen look bespoke by adding some colour. Whilst a white kitchen is safe and timeless, play around with a few colour combinations on Freedom Kitchens Kitchen Customiser and see how swapping sections of white cabinetry to black, woodgrain or a bright coloured will take your kitchen from white to WOW.
HOT TIP: Interesting pendant lighting or decorative tiled splashbacks will bring in colour, letting your personality and style shine through.
Get professional help
It’s easy to be tempted with extras during the kitchen design process, so work with a professional designer to set and manage the budget. They can help determine areas to invest and where to cut back. They will help you create the most efficient and spacious layout, as well as offering economical ways to replicate any coveted luxury looks.
–As you can see, there are many ways to trim back by mixing lower-end with upper-end materials without sacrificing your dreams or savings account! To view the latest product range and kitchen displays, visit your local Freedom Kitchens showroom. For a free, in-home kitchen design appointment, visit freedomkitchens.com.au or call 1800 113 733.
“A kitchen design is certainly one thing that you need to get right because once it is in, for most of us, we are stuck with it for a long time.” That’s the advice from one half of The Block Sky High’s “kitchen queens” Alisa Fraser. “Spend the time planning and don’t feel pressured into making any decisions that you are not comfortable with. Look at products that are sustainable and will serve you well in years to come. You really need to picture yourself working and living in the space and make a list of things that don’t work in your current space and apply them to your new design.”
Block kitchen queens Alisa and Lysandra Fraser
I couldn’t have put it better myself. Although I personally have never designed a kitchen (the one house I bought had a kitchen I loved just as it was and since I’ve been in Australia I’ve been renting), I’ve certainly pinned enough ‘Dream Home’ photos to Pinterest and given my opinion when asked by numerous friends about theirs. I also happen to hang out with a fair few people in the interiors business (understatement!), so I like to think I have an idea of what makes a good design and what’s in.
Alisa and her twin sister Lysandra won the title of the kitchen queens on the hit renovating show, impressing the judges and the public on both the Sky High and Fans vs. Favourites series. “I think we are good at visualising a space,” Alisa says. We are very conscious of not just choosing a product because it is the latest trend, as we all know that trends come and go so quickly these days. I remember Neale Whitaker commenting on our Fans vs. Favs kitchen and saying that it would still look good in 30 years. And that is the trick! Kitchens are expensive so you don’t want to be changing them every five or so years. It’s also about making the most of a space and utilising every part of it. But most of all, a kitchen needs to be functional and practical.”
SPATIAL PLANNING
Image: Fisher & Paykel
Not everyone has the vision of Alisa and Lysandra. My advice would be to call in a professional, even if you think you know what you want. The reason for this is they do this stuff day in, day out and may well think of things you’d never have thought of. Chances are you’ve gotten very used to living with your space, which can make it hard to visualise it any other way. Most kitchen companies offer free consultations and can whip you up a CAD model of your future kitchen. Seeing it on paper in 3D will really help. They’ll also know about the latest appliances and clever storage options you might not be familiar with. I’m talking pull out pantries, dishwashers or refrigerators in drawers and combination induction and gas cooktops here!
If you feel uncomfortable about having someone in your kitchen or feel like you’ll be given the hard sell, head to your local showroom armed with a simple drawing of your kitchen with measurements. Also mark on it the location of doors, windows, plumbing and anything that can’t be moved.
THE WORK TRIANGLE?
I’m sure you’ve heard of the theory of the work triangle; that is that your stove, fridge and sink should be laid out in a triangle for optimum ergonomics and use of space in the kitchen. Is it relevant in 2014? Probably not. There are many reasons for this, not least that today’s kitchens tend to be open plan, larger and used for many more things. They’re so often the heart of the home. People eat in them, cook in them, do homework in them, and so it goes on.
While it used to be taken as Gospel, Fisher & Paykel reject the traditional notion of the work triangle. Their head of industrial design, Mark Elmore, says: “There are many more advantages to be gained through the use of distributed appliances. Consumers can choose to position modular appliances or combinations of appliances wherever they think they’ll be most useful in the kitchen, entertaining and living spaces.”
Fisher & Paykel’s head of industrial design, Mark Elmore
The work triangle came about off the back of time and motion studies. But today’s kitchens are both individual and more social, says Mark. “Today’s layouts suit a more social, usually open-plan kitchen. And layouts are more ergonomic – ovens are higher in walls and dishwashers and fridges can be distributed to suit your patterns of usage or positioned higher to minimise bending. This concept sees modular appliances, such as Fisher & Paykel’s DishDrawer™ or CoolDrawer™ positioned around the kitchen – or beyond – to suit the way people live.”
Image: Fisher & Paykel
Consideration should be given to which and what style of appliances you’re after at the very beginning of your design process. “When it’s stripped back to its elements, a kitchen is space plus functionality,” Mark says. “How you and your family use your kitchen should determine not just the position of appliances, but also the features you look for.”
BUDGET
It’s a good idea to set one early. So many people go into a kitchen store and for some bizarre reason, are afraid to disclose what they’re willing to spend. Quite frankly, it’s a little ridiculous. These people can help you much better if they understand the sort of money they’re working with. Don’t feel embarrassed that your budget is too low because you can only afford what you can afford. And there is no point quoting more than you intend to spend either. My advice is to be honest with the professionals. They’ll tell you what’s possible within your budget and if you then decide you can find extra money for the marble benchtop or built-in coffee machine you really can’t live without, then so be it. Not being open or honest about your budget is just going to waste everyone’s time.
Mark says, in general, people spend between a quarter and a third of their budget on appliances. “Passionate foodies who demand top performance from their appliances daily, might spend more.” An important point Mark raises is that a new kitchen gives you the opportunity to consider your whole life and design a functional space that responds to your needs.
APPLIANCES: THE BASICS
“The basic appliances every home needs are an oven, cooktop, rangehood, microwave, dishwasher and fridge-freezer. Yet the appliances you select will depend on how you cook,” Mark says. “People who love to bake or cook several meals simultaneously might go for a double oven or an extra large 90cm wide oven. Many people get a premium built-in oven and then supplement it with a combination microwave or steam oven that can be used for a different purpose.”
APPLIANCES: AESTHETICS
“Styling has become increasingly important as the trend of open-plan kitchens continues to grow,” says Mark. “Contemporary styling which works with living spaces is in high demand and if your kitchen is one of the increasing number that extends into your living area, then the look of your appliances will be more important.”
Image: Fisher & Paykel
Fisher & Paykel’s range of cooking appliances are designed to match each other – in finishes, proportions and details. Rather than having a clashing array of styles and brands, you can buy a complete suite of appliances with a cohesive, consistent look.
While integration is popular, Mark says not to discount the ‘wow’ factor of a big statement piece such as a robust, freestanding 90cm cooker or a sleek line-up of built-in appliances from their Companion range such as a coffee maker, combination microwave oven or steam oven.
THE LATEST INNOVATIONS
There is of course, always some new gadget to add the wow factor. Alisa says there are so many new appliances hitting the market every day, it is sometimes hard to keep up. “From built-in coffee machines, to steamers and instant hot and cold Zip taps, innovative appliances are what make kitchens stand out from each other.
“Appliances are not only essential and practical, but nowadays they are sexy and make a statement of their own. The right appliances in a kitchen say a lot about the people cooking in it. You can add your own personality with the many types of models now available. Choosing appliances has never been as exciting as it is today.
“We all want and expect more from kitchens now, so in your standard kitchen 10 years ago, a dishwasher was a luxury. Now, it’s just expected. Not only that, but now there are so many products available to us, when it comes to selecting appliances – cabinetry, benchtop finishes – reaching a final decision is so much harder.”
To create more flexible options, Fisher & Paykel have designed innovative appliances in drawers – the DishDrawer™ dishwasher and CoolDrawer™ multi-temperature refrigerator – plus a range of modular cooktops available in up to five burners or zones. Instead of having a traditional dishwasher next to the sink, you can put a single DishDrawer™ beside the sink and another closer to cupboards where glasses and crockery are stored. Putting appliances in the kitchen island is also a great option for open-plan kitchens.
Image: Fisher & Paykel
SPEND VS. SPLURGE
One area you can save money is on your splashbacks, says Alisa. “Glass splashbacks can be quite expensive, so head to your local tile store and see what is on special. A tiled splashback, done right, can certainly create impact. If you are really looking to save money on your kitchen renovation then as nice as it is to have soft closing drawers, they are not an essential. Another money-saving tip is to go out and source your own handles. Generally kitchen places offer the top of the range kitchen hardware, but it is amazing what specials you can pick up at your local hardware store.”
So, where should you splurge? “I certainly think quality appliances are always going to serve you well,” says Alisa. “They should last you a long time and it will save you the effort and hassle of having to replace any faulty appliances down the track. I also feel that investing in some kind of stone bench top is well worth it. Even though there are some pretty amazing laminates out there, I still feel nothing screams class as much as the real thing.”
When it comes to deciding whether to replace your appliances, bear in mind that old ones can consume more energy leading to increased costs. “Fridges are often the worst offenders,” Mark notes. “It’s really not a good idea to put your old fridge in the garage either because it can cost the price of a basic new fridge simply in running costs!”
When it comes to the cost of a benchtop, Caesarstone offer the following advice: “There are many factors to consider beyond the actual cost of the material itself. The cost to fabricate a benchtop can vary widely but it’s important to keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always necessarily better. Another simple cost-cutting measure is to factor the size of the raw material into your kitchen design – a small change in the length of your kitchen island for example, could be all the difference between needing two or three slabs of stone, which will make a big difference to the bottom line.”
WHAT’S TRENDY NOW?
When it comes to the biggest kitchen trends of the moment, Alisa highlights the comeback of the butler’s pantry and even the addition of a laundry within the kitchen to optimise space. “People are becoming more creative when it comes to storage solutions. Now they can be discreet and practical.”
View to the butler’s pantry in Carlene and Michael’s kitchen in the current series of The Block Glasshouse
Another trend is the use of slab splashbacks. “They are predominately used in open kitchens that have the advantage of working with space. Slabs with marble veins can create a focal point and in essence, become a piece of art. I am loving the use of timbers throughout kitchens this season. Whether used subtly or throughout the entire kitchen, there is something sexy and inviting about timber. It is clean, contemporary and always looks amazing with white clean lines.”
Like the twins’ kitchen in Fans vs. Favourites, which Alisa calls her dream kitchen, she is seeing a lot of designs take advantage of the space-saving and entertaining benefits of having a dining table integrated with the kitchen benchtop. “When done well, this can make your kitchen look bigger and creates dimension in the room.” When it comes to layout, Alisa doesn’t believe there is a set rule. “Each space is unique and every person has different wants and requirements.”
In fact, if you had to highlight one consistent trend in kitchens at the moment, it’s for customisation in all areas. “People who want very high temperature burners or wok cooking often select one or two gas burners and put them together with an induction cooktop,” says Mark. “Fisher & Paykel caters to this customisation as people make their own cooktop combinations. Each of the gas and induction variants are designed to match, in the same easy-to-clean, reflective black Stopsol glass and unifying polished metal strip.”
Image: Fisher & Paykel
When it comes to benchtops, due to improvements in technology, Caesarstone are seeing a trend back toward more natural looking surfaces with their marble-inspired Supernatural designs and colours in high demand. “As the modern industrial look becomes increasingly popular, we are also seeing a growing trend toward concrete-look benchtop surfaces being incorporated into mainstream kitchen designs, as more affordable and practical alternatives such as our Sleek Concrete become available,” says Caesarstone’s George Skentzos.
CHOOSING A BENCHTOP
Benchtops seem to be one of those things people um and ah over for a really long time, trying to get just right. At the end of the day, the look, colour and quality of your choice will have a big effect on the aesthetics of your kitchen. Then again, there are so many practical considerations as benchtops get a bit of a battering and you want them to last. Marble, in my opinion, looks amazing, but you wouldn’t catch me installing it as a benchtop even if I was made of money, due to its bad relationship with water!
George says: “Like the icing on a cake, a benchtop is the finishing touch for any kitchen – a personal signature which can dramatically transform the overall look of your kitchen. When selecting your benchtop, it’s important to ask yourself what overall look you want to achieve and whether you want the surface to become a focal point or blend in with the décor.”
Caesarstone’s online visualiser showing a kitchen with Sleek Concrete and Calacatta Nuvo benchtops
Designing a modern kitchen that will stand the test of time is a balancing act between incorporating current style trends with classic design elements to create an overall look that feels both modern and timeless. “Often, people make the mistake of designing their kitchen to be more clinical than contemporary, so my advice would be to incorporate natural materials like stone and timber over a neutral foundation which will always be on trend, then introduce a contemporary twist with fixtures like taps, feature lighting and splashbacks, which can be updated easily and affordably over time to keep the kitchen looking fresh.”
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
So, if you’re about to design your kitchen, listen up to the following advice from Alisa: “There are two places where people go wrong when designing a kitchen. Firstly, they don’t think about the functionality and layout. This is a huge mistake as once a kitchen is in, the layout is extremely difficult and expensive to change. The other mistake is that people design their kitchen around what is on trend right now, but come the next season, the trend will have changed. There are simple ways you can add trending products into your kitchen that can easily be changed, like pendant lights, stools, tea towels and vases. These are affordable items that can easily be removed and changed.”
CONCLUSION
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to designing your modern kitchen. While trends come and go, I hope we’ve offered you some great advice on how to budget, what to consider, where to invest and where you can make some clever savings. We know a kitchen reno is a huge and sometimes daunting task to embark on, but don’t put it in the too-hard basket anymore. Armed with the right information and having done your homework, you can have a dream kitchen that you’ll use and love for many years to come. Good luck!
NEED MORE HELP & INSPIRATION?
If you’re planning to renovate, you can find out more about the latest Fisher & Paykel offers here. For more design ideas you can explore the inspirational case studies here or check out Interiors Addict’s Kitchens & Bathroom section.
After a tough week on The Block, kitchen week is over and this year’s kitchens have been dubbed five of the biggest and best ever seen on the show. We agree! The Good Guys’ kitchen design consultant offers insight into the design of each apartment and shares expert tips on how to get The Block kitchen look in your own home. You’ll also find out exactly which benchtops and finishes the contestants used.
Michael & Carlene: MANHATTAN CHIC
An astute selection of subway tiles, long island bench and copper accents by Michael and Carlene has resulted in a stunning kitchen, reminiscent of a high-end Manhattan brasserie. Floor to ceiling bookshelf with sliding library ladder and exposed brick detail continue this on-trend theme.
The choice of materials is second to none – sophisticated Brighton Matt Black cabinetry, new to The Good Guys Kitchens, has been paired with Essendon White. Dual benchtops by Silestone® in Bianco Rivers and Blanco Zeus in Suede finish complete the timeless look whilst contrasting shiny copper pendants add a unique, retro touch.
In terms of layout, this is a carefully considered kitchen space which incorporates the traditional work triangle where the cooktop, sink and refrigerator are well positioned for optimal flow. The butler’s pantry again utilises the space well and by keeping the high standard of design and detail throughout, a storage and preparation area never looked so good!
TREND ALERT: Matt cabinetry and copper accents
Chris & Jenna: STATELY TWO-TONE
[contextly_sidebar id=”tnG3eqA1gSx62Eebt8RmaI8IXA1Xseid”]Chris and Jenna’s lavish two-tone kitchen is as striking as it is functional.
Timber-grain cabinetry in Ballina Sepia Oak, exclusive to The Good Guys Kitchens, dominates this kitchen and contrasts beautifully with varying textures and black accents – from the glass fronted cabinets, kickboards, Silestone® benchtops in Tao and Artarmon Gloss cabinetry in the butler’s pantry.
Deep drawers throughout maintain the strong sense of vertical lines all through the kitchen, and the floor to ceiling display shelving provides the opportunity to bring personal touches into this inspired space. Concealed butler’s pantry with second sink and ample bench space paves the way for seamless and sophisticated entertaining.
TREND ALERT: Timber-grain cabinetry and concealed butler’s pantry
Maxine & Karstan: CONTEMPORARY ENTERTAINER
This light-filled kitchen produced by Maxine and Karstan ticks all the boxes for a stylish young couple or family who love to entertain.
Handle-less throughout, the fresh glossy colour palette of Royal Oyster and Graphite has resulted in a sleek, modern kitchen with neutral tones that is right on trend. Floating cabinetry and the perspex feature add a designer touch.
Well proportioned for the large, open space, the attached 52mm dining benchtop in Silestone® Cemento juxtaposes with the main worktop in 20mm Silestone® Yukon, and is an ideal feature for today’s partiality toward relaxed entertaining. Ample storage in the adjoining butler’s pantry make organisation in this kitchen a breeze.
TREND ALERT: Fixed entertaining bench and two-tone benchtops.
Simon & Shannon: INDUSTRIAL LUXE
Simon and Shannon have combined varying textures and subtle detail in this strikingly industrial luxe kitchen.
The warmth of the Natural Oak timber cabinetry offsets the steely gloss cabinetry in Gun Metal and 60mm thick Silestone Nebula® Doradus benchtop, whilst the opulent run of gold metallic door fronts showcase this team’s ability to integrate subtle designer statements.
Chefs at heart will delight in the double oven feature, generous bench space and functional flow around the central island with windows at the adjacent bench presenting a cool café vibe.
TREND ALERT: Warm industrial colour palette of grey and timber plus metallic accents.
Darren & Deanne: MODERN CLASSIC
Darren and Deanne’s elegant kitchen is a classical masterpiece befitting a home in the Hamptons, bringing together a traditional colour scheme in an elegant setting.
Traditional style cabinetry in the dual colours of Natura Black and White Matt combine beautifully with a superb choice of marble and Silestone® in Blanco Zeus polished and suede finish, to achieve a sophisticated look, while the white interiors of the glass fronted cabinets and trio of glass pendants provide a modern twist.
Tall cabinetry taken to the ceiling, lit with vertical interior lighting, adds a sense of grandeur to this modest sized kitchen.
The integration of the study nook and butler’s pantry ensures this kitchen not only looks impressive, but functions brilliantly too.
TREND ALERT: Elegant Hamptons style with seamless indoor/outdoor flow.
It’s no surprise that the kitchen can be one of the most expensive and time-consuming areas to renovate, so renovating smartly is pivotal for getting bang for your buck! The Good Guys appliance experts share their top 12 tips on how to do this, so you can get the look you want for less.
Decide on a budget and stick to it. The amount you have to spend will determine everything from the materials you use to the appliances you choose.
Once you’ve decided on your budget, don’t be afraid to divulge it to your kitchen designer. Professional designers can only give you the best advice if they have all the information.
It may seem like an extra expense but work with a professional kitchen designer. They know how to get it right from the start and this will definitely save you money in the long run.
Keep it simple. The more elaborate you make your kitchen, the more expensive it becomes.
Have a plan and do your research. If you are sure of what you want from the start, it will not only save you time, but it will also save you money.
Select quality finishes that look great but won’t date quickly and spend as much as you can afford on durable work surfaces. The cost of quality? Priceless.
Buy appliances through your kitchen company. This will allow you to take advantage of package deals and ensures delivery of kitchen and appliances together.
Choose a neutral colour throughout your kitchen cabinets and bench tops and use paint and accessories to add colour instead. These can be changed easily and are cost-effective as fashions change.
A galley kitchen is the least expensive layout, requiring only one straight run of cabinetry. If planned properly, you can still amass a great deal of accessible storage and bench space.
When it comes to selecting the door finish, the value for money option is a melamine door, and for a fraction more, ask about the satin smooth melamine finish of the Essendon door that will give you the impression of a higher-end kitchen.
One place you can really save in the kitchen is your benchtop selection. New technologies have given life to laminates and you can achieve imitation stone or timber looks or select from a wide range of colours.
When it comes to appliances, consider freestanding ones. Today, these appliances are statement pieces, so will not only save you money but will have you right on trend.
— For more information on The Good Guys products and expert advice visit their website here.
Last week, I spoke to Guy Sebastian’s wife Jules about the décor in their Gerroa holiday home. This week, we talk about the kitchen – the main focus of the house– with Guy himself.
Q: What was most important to you when you were designing your kitchen?
A: Definitely keeping the view as the number one focal point. We had to work the design around two structural poles so it had to have some kind of convenient workflow when it came to cooking too. Of course it had to look modern and slick too — tick, tick, tick!
Q: What were the benefits of working with a professional kitchen designer?
Image source: Nullarbor Timber
