Before & After: An Open-Plan NZ Kitchen That Says Welcome Home
Moving from a hotel-like apartment to a place of his own in Wellington, this owner wanted something cosy with character
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The client purchased the penthouse apartment in the building he had resided in for many years. He wanted us to create a space that matched his lifestyle and briefed us to create that ‘hello home’ feeling when he walked in the door.
The client purchased the penthouse apartment in the building he had resided in for many years. He wanted us to create a space that matched his lifestyle and briefed us to create that ‘hello home’ feeling when he walked in the door.
Kitchen/living/dining area before works.
His previous apartment had felt like a hotel room and he wanted to avoid that completely. He craved comfort, character and warm hues. We achieved this by using a cohesive palette of soft brown, patterns and textural elements in the timber flooring and engineered stone benchtops.
As a person who loves to cook for friends, the appliance selection was key in providing him with the products he needed to flourish in the kitchen, as well as making easy meals for one.
Do you dream of a better kitchen? Take the time to find and talk to a kitchen designer on Houzz
His previous apartment had felt like a hotel room and he wanted to avoid that completely. He craved comfort, character and warm hues. We achieved this by using a cohesive palette of soft brown, patterns and textural elements in the timber flooring and engineered stone benchtops.
As a person who loves to cook for friends, the appliance selection was key in providing him with the products he needed to flourish in the kitchen, as well as making easy meals for one.
Do you dream of a better kitchen? Take the time to find and talk to a kitchen designer on Houzz
Kitchen/living/dining area before works.
Living/dining area before works.
The client’s artwork is an eclectic mix with colourful pieces. Therefore, the palette needed to be neutral, classic and textural.
As our client also works from home periodically, he wanted a workspace that is clutter-free, so we designed the island benchtop as a dual-purpose space to both entertain and work from – lots of hidden storage, USB power points and excellent city views.
The result is a beautifully crafted, functional space that our client loves. He feels as though he’s at home here and never wants to leave.
The result is a beautifully crafted, functional space that our client loves. He feels as though he’s at home here and never wants to leave.
Starting point
An internal wall blocked the waterfront views from the apartment’s entrance, which the existing water feed and electrics were housed in. We were able to remove the wall and design a decorative timber column that accommodates the services, leads into a ceiling feature and accentuates the elevated ceiling heights.
An internal wall blocked the waterfront views from the apartment’s entrance, which the existing water feed and electrics were housed in. We were able to remove the wall and design a decorative timber column that accommodates the services, leads into a ceiling feature and accentuates the elevated ceiling heights.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Colour palette:
- Soft browns.
- Off-white neutrals.
- All paired with deep coastal blue and walnut timber.
Materials palette:
Browse more modern kitchens with beige tones
- Oak flooring.
- Melteca melamine panels in Ash Woodgrain.
- Melteca melamine panels in Iron Ore Pearl.
- Ceasarstone in Bianco Drift.
- VidaSpace European oak engineered flooring.
Browse more modern kitchens with beige tones
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Block Mirror Tables from Bo Concept.
- iO Drum Shade pendant designed by Mat MacMillan from Yoyo by Design.
- Willow Dining Table in Oak from Nood.
- Nils Dining Chair in Dark Grey from Stacks Furniture.
- Linea Sideboard from The Axe.
- Zenith Water (Zip Water) G5 Celcious All-In-One Arc in Gunmetal.
- Aurora Sink in Gunmetal from Mercer.
- Bosch Serie 8 appliances.
- Saddle Bar Stools from Homage Furniture.
- P193 Amber Pendant lights from Galaxy Lighting.
- Indivi Sofa in Caramel Salto Leather from Bo Concept.
- Alexander Arm Chair in Black Leather from Cintesi.
- Bonsai and Armadillo Acacia Floor rugs from Weave Home.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
The spatial planning was determined by the kitchen and the existing services, however in the new design we were able to generate more space for entertaining, working, cooking and relaxing. We did this through careful spatial planning and selections of furniture and materials.
The spatial planning was determined by the kitchen and the existing services, however in the new design we were able to generate more space for entertaining, working, cooking and relaxing. We did this through careful spatial planning and selections of furniture and materials.
The floor plan.
What challenges did you work around?
The building’s body corporate (strata committee) rules for flooring meant we needed to install noise-reducing underfloor insulation. We also installed underfloor heating throughout this apartment.
The services (water and electrical) to the kitchen were housed in a wall at the end of the kitchen peninsula, which blocked a lot of light and the waterfront views from the entrance to the apartment. Our design began with the solution to this to create the best possible layout and an inviting space.
Being on the top floor of an apartment building, we had to overcome the access challenges of all materials, including the benchtops fitting in the lift and maintaining the existing inter-tenancy fire-rated walls. We also managed the Covid-19 product delays through 2021 by sourcing alternative products as needed to meet our timelines.
What challenges did you work around?
The building’s body corporate (strata committee) rules for flooring meant we needed to install noise-reducing underfloor insulation. We also installed underfloor heating throughout this apartment.
The services (water and electrical) to the kitchen were housed in a wall at the end of the kitchen peninsula, which blocked a lot of light and the waterfront views from the entrance to the apartment. Our design began with the solution to this to create the best possible layout and an inviting space.
Being on the top floor of an apartment building, we had to overcome the access challenges of all materials, including the benchtops fitting in the lift and maintaining the existing inter-tenancy fire-rated walls. We also managed the Covid-19 product delays through 2021 by sourcing alternative products as needed to meet our timelines.
Why do you think this room works?
The space has a touch of luxury without being ostentatious. It is a practical kitchen design with all the features needed for a passionate home cook who likes to entertain.
The spatial layout performs well as it can be used to entertain and close down to a cosy abode for one with materials and finishes adding to the warmth and style, which was set out in the brief.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Catch your next great transformation here with this Before & After: A Spacious Bathroom With All the Amenities
The space has a touch of luxury without being ostentatious. It is a practical kitchen design with all the features needed for a passionate home cook who likes to entertain.
The spatial layout performs well as it can be used to entertain and close down to a cosy abode for one with materials and finishes adding to the warmth and style, which was set out in the brief.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Catch your next great transformation here with this Before & After: A Spacious Bathroom With All the Amenities
Who lives here: A man owns this home
Location: Te Aro, NZ
Room purpose and size: A kitchen/dining/living area of about 40 square metres
Approximate budget: NZ$75,000 to $100,000 (AU$68,000 to $91,000)
Did you use Houzz Pro for this project?
Yes, we used it for: