When it got here to renovating the kitchen inside an previous staff’ cottage within the Northern Rivers, designers Occupy Studio determined to go in opposition to conference.
‘Though solely ten minutes from Damaged Head Seaside, Newrybar feels extra like a rustic city than a coastal one,’ director Scott Wilson says of the neighbourhood and the encircling topography.
The home sits amongst gum timber and appears out throughout a tree-lined valley, however the homeowners felt the unique cottage was in want of a multi-stage renovation — beginning with the run-down kitchen.
‘The present kitchen was a white and timber IKEA set up that had suffered important water harm and decay,’ Scott provides.
‘Spatially, it was poorly related to the remainder of the home, separated from the dwelling space and blocking each views and pure mild from reaching deeper into the plan.’
Preliminary discussions with the shoppers outlined their dream kitchen as a extra fashionable area that will intentionally distinction in opposition to the remainder of the home; someplace sturdy that would face up to the fixed mess and put on and tear from a younger household.
‘Respecting the authenticity of the unique staff’ cottage was central to the venture, as was contributing a brand new layer to the continuing narrative of the home,’ Scott says.
‘The unique home is a timber and tin staff’ cottage, wealthy in character however inherently irregular: flooring slope, ceilings dip, and only a few partitions are straight. In direct response, the brand new kitchen is deliberately restrained, minimal and exact.’
Stainless-steel was chosen as a key materials, each for its sturdy and sensible qualities, whereas additionally setting the tone for a minimalistic palette that Scott describes as ‘a aware transfer’ away from any clichéd coastal or nation aesthetics.
All drawers, cabinets and cupboard fronts have been fabricated completely from stainless-steel plate. This aided the venture in minimising materials waste, however working with out typical chipboard additionally introduced technical difficulties that required additional precision and problem-solving between the fabricator and designers.
‘While difficult, this method saved time, cash and gave us a significantly better consequence,’ Scott notes.
Darkish inexperienced wall tiles now line the splashback, drawing inspiration from the out of doors atmosphere. On the other wall, an current partition was eliminated to make manner for a modern island bench with new open shelving above — providing a much-needed connection to the lounge.
Relatively than mixing into the prevailing constructing, the brand new kitchen is unapologetically fashionable and efficiently units the tone for the subsequent chapter of the employee’s cottage, customised for contemporary household life!
Need extra inspiration from The Design Recordsdata? Subscribe to our e-newsletter to get our greatest tales despatched on to your inbox.
