Before + After: How A Strategic Renovation Elevated This ’90s Kitchen
Interiors
Lampe De Marseille from Cult. IXIA Vase by Hattie Molloy.
Pale blue Laminex joinery and a roman blind carries a homely feel into the new renovation.
‘Cath also has a great collection of art, books and trinkets collected over her life; I wanted to ensure the kitchen allowed for display of these items,’ designer Sarah O’Brien says.
The stone benchtop also features soft blue tones.
The two island benches operate similarly to a galley kitchen, with the living room just out of view.
The existing 1990s kitchen has been transformed into a fresh and functional space.
In interior design studio Billie Roy’s latest project, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home, after a savvy renovation.
The owner, Cath, had lived in the 1990s Camberwell unit for two decades before approaching Billie Roy founder Sarah O’Brien to modernise the original fit out.
In addition to replacing the dated appliances, tiled floors, and white cupboards for a more contemporary look, the brief called for newfound storage and increased natural light.
‘They didn’t want to go “over the top” for the modest unit, but intending to live here for many more years, they were happy to create a space where she felt happy and comfortable to be in,’ Sarah says.
Cautious to avoid anything too modern that would conflict with the home’s lived in aesthetic and antique furniture pieces, Sarah looked to carry the blue-grey hues from the existing interiors into the new update.
‘I also wanted the kitchen to feel pretty and soft. The blue Laminex joinery, alongside the softly blue-toned stone, timber flooring, and roman blind help create a classic and calming space — that didn’t break the bank,’ she notes.
The biggest transformation came in a few strategic structural changes.
A dividing wall between the kitchen and living was removed and replaced with an island bench, complete with a stainless-steel sink and room for stool seating that backs onto the adjacent living room.
In place of the original benchtop, there’s a second island featuring a downdraft induction cooktop, which freed up space on the back wall to create tall joinery housing the pantry, fridge, and ovens.
The new layout works similarly to a space-saving galley kitchen, while a larger window captures natural light and views into the garden.
‘Cath also has a great collection of art, books and trinkets collected over her life; I wanted to ensure the kitchen allowed for display of these items,’ she explains of the open shelving cleverly tucked below the island.
‘There is storage galore and a spot for everything, more than she had before.’