Before & After: From "Awkward Angles" to Open-Plan Paradise
See how a plain New Zealand kitchen was transformed with a flowing layout, views and the colours of nature
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 wanted to breathe new life into a kitchen that was not just dated, its tired layout was preventing them from leveraging their views.
- They enjoy entertaining, so one of the cornerstones of the project was carving out an area around the kitchen island bench that would encourage people to linger, chat and nibble while looking out towards Rangitoto Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.
- To modernise and simplify a dated home with awkward angles yet exceptional views.
Starting point
- The first step in this full redesign was for us to remove walls to open up the space to the living and dining room. To do this, we installed a new support beam that was later integrated into the white paint so it didn’t interrupt the clean lines.
- A palette of oak, greens and grey was selected as a nod to the couple’s personal style, which was woven into other rooms to give consistency in colour scheme throughout the property.
The kitchen before works.
- We did away with the tiles and carpet, and laid soft-hued timber flooring that will provide durability over time.
The kitchen before works.
- To complement the walls and ceiling for a bright and airy feel, we selected a white stone benchtop and an island bench with oak lines to integrate with the flooring.
- Sliding doors were installed to bring the outside in and invite ocean breezes indoors during warmer months.
- Olive-green coloured subway tiles along the splashback blend beautifully with the pendant lights in the same tone. The wine fridge and a large refrigerator make for easy entertaining and hold plenty of goodies for guests.
The living/dining area before works.
- In the adjacent open-plan living area, existing awkward angles presented a design challenge, so we decided that a reconfiguration was necessary.
The living/dining area before works.
- A custom-made cupboard answered the need for storage along with a walk-in wardrobe.
- An oak bookcase and timber floors connect the living/dining area to the kitchen, providing storage and letting the client display personal items.
- We also added a fireplace.
- The hearth has tiles in soft grey concrete hues that visually connect to the kitchen. They are taken up the wall inconsistently to add visual variation.
- The large oak dining table ties the spaces together and seats eight to 10 people, making large dinner parties a possibility.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Materials palette:
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
Colour palette:
- Organic and natural.
- Calming oak tones.
- Greens.
Materials palette:
- Benchtop in Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete.
- Oak dowling on island bench from Genia.
- VidaSpace Amazon wide floor planks.
- Matakana splashback tiles in Olive gloss.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Ethnicraft dining table from from Cuchi.
- Eva Solo pendant light.
- About a stool barstools from Hay.
The floor plan before works.
What challenges did you work around?
The original living space was a squashed hexagonal shape, with the kitchen in its own-walled off room leading to a dining room and outdoor patio.
What challenges did you work around?
The original living space was a squashed hexagonal shape, with the kitchen in its own-walled off room leading to a dining room and outdoor patio.
Why do you think this area works?
As you come up the stairs, the stunning view is visible through the glass sliding door that we introduced to draw the outdoors in. The awkward angles have been removed and the open space created by introducing a steel beam so the kitchen walls could be removed.
The kitchen was relocated to the internal wall so the beautiful vista could be appreciated.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this kitchen redesign? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
If you like this transformation, you’ll love this Before & After: A Sweet Kitchen for a Recipe-Testing Client
As you come up the stairs, the stunning view is visible through the glass sliding door that we introduced to draw the outdoors in. The awkward angles have been removed and the open space created by introducing a steel beam so the kitchen walls could be removed.
The kitchen was relocated to the internal wall so the beautiful vista could be appreciated.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this kitchen redesign? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
If you like this transformation, you’ll love this Before & After: A Sweet Kitchen for a Recipe-Testing Client
Who lives here: A couple
Location: St Heliers, NZ
Room purpose and size: An open-plan kitchen/dining/living area
Did the client find you on Houzz? Yes, during lockdown in August 2021.