Tag: kitchen before and after

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Before & Afters Design DIY Interviews Kitchens Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Before & after: 90’s kitchen renovated on a budget using DIY

AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen

Originally built in the 90’s, this home’s original kitchen was in dire need of some love when Melbourne’s Haus of Cruze design studio began overhauling it recently. Completed as part of the Bunnings ‘Make it Yours’ web/tv series, the kitchen makeover is rather impressive. Particularly when you consider that it was completed within just two days, with a budget of $5,000 that included the nearby dining room too.

BEFORE kitchen
BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen. Quite the transformation!

“We capitalised on upcycling projects such as the cosmetic updates to the bench tops and joinery. We used the fabulous Dulux Renovator Range products and ensured we didn’t introduce any costly structural changes,” says Haus of Cruze’s Jamie House who adhered to a ‘classic coastal meets California cool’ design brief. “We wanted to create a casual Australian flavour that speaks to the quintessential Australian lifestyle – casual, unfussy, calming, natural and lived in,” says Jamie’s business partner Az De La Cruz.

BEFORE
BEFORE kitchen and dining
AFTER
AFTER kitchen and dining. Painting the cupboard fronts in Dulux Tirau Double was a cost-effective solution.

Arguably the hero of the space, the kitchen bench was renovated with a Tasmanian oak half round dowel feature panel; an impressive DIY project that preserved the budget and allowed the team to inject more money into the flooring. “We assembled it in just a few easy steps, and it really helped to elevate the space by bringing in some warmth and texture,” says Jamie.

The new flooring was a huge improvement on the original also; it’s now comprised of Smart Flooring waterproof hybrid vinyl planks in Highland Grey. The pantry door was overhauled with Easycraft EasyVJ Panel and the room’s paint colours were updated in the form of Dulux Tirau Double on the cupboard fronts and Dulux Panda Pod on the walls.

KITCHEN before
BEFORE kitchen
KITCHEN after
AFTER kitchen

Rather than purchasing new furniture, the team sourced one-off pieces from Facebook Marketplace to upgrade the kitchen bench area. Vintage rattan bar stools add unique character and allowed the team to add feature pendant lighting above the bench and sheer curtains to the room.

BEFORE kitchen
AFTER kitchen
AFTER kitchen

“We’re really proud of the feature dowel under the kitchen bench. It really set the tone and lifted the space with a nod to luxe living. Overall, I think we created cohesion and harmony between both spaces and really nailed the brief.”

Watch it come to life below:

A coastal farmhouse style kitchen renovation on the Gold Coast

Part of a wider home renovation (that interestingly was managed entirely online), this Gold Coast kitchen was the final room to get the makeover treatment. “The only room letting down…
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Before & Afters Design Interviews Kitchens Real Renos RENO ADDICT

A beautiful kitchen completed during Melbourne lockdown

Located inside a 1920’s weatherboard home in the Melbourne suburb of Aberfeldie, this kitchen underwent an impressive makeover recently against the background of an extended COVID-19 lockdown. “The lockdown meant all the shops were closed and we had to select all our colours, cabinetry, tiles and hardware via Zoom or with tiny samples sent from our suppliers,” says the home’s owner Carla Salsone who lives there with husband Adrian and daughter Sofia.

The kitchen pre-renovation
BEFORE
Kitchen AFTER
AFTER: What a transformation!

Part of a whole-home renovation, the family had planned on vacating the home for five months, but that was extended to almost nine and half which meant a very long stay with the in-laws! “I’m a visual person, and we’d planned for the renovation for two years, so I hated not been able to visit the house and test paint colours or sit down with the cabinetmaker in person to go through drawings. But it was a tough year for everyone, so I can’t complain that my only issue was making renovation decisions remotely and we’re so happy with the result,” says Carla.

Kitchen
The statement crystal chandelier was sourced from Lighting Collective

Pandemic constraints certainly didn’t hinder the project though, with the home’s former kitchen rendered completely unrecognisable post-renovation. Carla looked to traditional English kitchen designers like deVOL Kitchens and Humphrey Munson, and America’s Studio McGee, when designing the space. “They absolutely nail the kitchen in terms of design and function,” says Carla who believes the new kitchen set the tone for the entire renovation.

Custom shaker-style cabinetry (in Dulux Natural White) combines with Moroccan zellige tiles while natural stone and brass hardware complete the space. “We debated open shelves versus overhead cabinetry and, in the end, didn’t fancy having to have perfectly styled shelves so opted for closed cabinets that would conceal clutter and prevent dust,” says Carla who finished the cupboards with burnished brass knobs, pulls and latches from Armac Martin’s Cotswold Collection.

Kitchen

“We pretty much designed our whole kitchen around the Lacanche range cooker. It was a huge investment but so far it’s proved well worth it,” says Carla who chose black with brass and stainless steel to complement the nearby stainless-steel fridge.

The Lacanche range cooker took six months to arrive from France
The Lacanche range cooker took six months to arrive from France

The kitchen’s marble benchtop was subject to much debate too, with many people trying to talk Carla out of choosing its natural stone – a gorgeous Calacatta marble that has grey and gold veining. “I don’t mind a little ‘character’ staining and I figure it’s covered most of Europe for centuries!” says Carla. 

The nearby laundry doubles as a butler’s pantry when the family entertains
The nearby laundry doubles as a butler’s pantry when the family entertains

And while a fairly monochromatic space, all-important warmth was brought in courtesy of the kitchen’s gorgeous oak flooring, square gloss splashback tiles in various shades of white, brass taps and hardware and the show-stopping antique brass and crystal chandelier above the island. “I still pinch myself when I walk into the kitchen as I can’t believe it’s ours!”

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From a matte black toilet to fully assembled laundry units delivered Australia wide, there’s plenty of interesting news on the kitchen, bathroom and laundry front this month. Reece: The bathroom…

Chalk paint kitchen cabinets: 2 amazing before & afters and how-to

Making over your kitchen is remarkably easy using chalk paint. So, if you’ve been bitten by that lockdown DIY bug, we’re here to share a very easy way to transform your…
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Before & Afters Kitchens

White on white kitchen is stylist owner’s dream!

Interior stylist Melanie Webster’s new white-on-white kitchen is a world away from its dingy predecessor and she couldn’t be happier with it!

With a little help from her business partner Melinda Raydan, she set about transforming a typical 90s design into something, light, bright, textured and open. 

“Although quite a big space, the original concept was dark, dated and in desperate need of some brightening up. Whilst the timber cabinetry and solid bench tops were all in perfect condition, that combined with slate floors and no space allocation for a fridge, provided the perfect combination for a renovation,” Melanie says.

BEFORE

Step one was to re-work the original floor plan. “Being that the kitchen is in the centre of the home, we wanted to ensure the layout provided easy access into both living spaces and ensuring a balanced flow throughout. An island bench was our initial choice, however we soon worked out that this was not going to be the most effective use of space. Alternatively, we opted for an L-shaped bench, which effectively opened up the kitchen, enabling us to comfortably place four barstools along the bench for family gatherings.”

Removing the side wall between the dining area and kitchen also made a huge difference. “We wanted a beautiful open space; a simple aesthetic with a touch of classic Hamptons, warm neutrals and bright whites.”

Although the previous cabinets and bench tops were quality timber, they just didn’t fall within their vision. Kinsman Kitchens’ matte white shaker cabinets replaced the dark weathered cupboards, and Melanie, whose home is in Mount Martha, VIC, opted for gold tapware and accessories to give the space a touch of glamour.

“With an ample amount of bench space, we chose RHF Stone Calacutta Classic, supplied and installed by Simple Benchtops, adding an element of sophistication and style. We chose a white matte herringbone tile as our splashback hero piece, a deep white sink and modern black appliances, making the space feel complete.”

All the smaller details are what adds up to make it a winning space, according to Melanie. “From the James Hardie Axon panels to the matte white herringbone splashback and gold accents, we adore the way each feature connects, creating a feeling of home.”

The biggest challenge for the design duo, who own Raydan Blair Interior Stylists, was the limitation with the layout. “Without making structural changes, we were restricted in sticking to the existing floor plan, minus a few tweaks.”

And Melanie says you can’t go wrong with a white-on-white palette! “We added texture through pendants, splashback and luxe finishes, finalising a design that will appeal to many demographics and stand the test of time. We could not be more pleased with how our kitchen has been transformed, from a dark and dreary space, to an inviting and beautiful room in the heart of the home.”

For more on Raydan Blair

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