Kitchen Renovation Bilgola Plateau | Clever designs for family living

Kitchen and laundry renovation at Bilgola Plateau.

Some kitchen renovations are about creating a beautiful new space where family and friends can gather and enjoy spending time together. Others completely transform the way a home is lived in. This clever Bilgola Plateau home renovation achieved both.

Perched high on “the Plateau”, near Avalon, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this large family home had evolved considerably over the years. What began as a modest weatherboard cottage had been extended and reconfigured by successive owners into the sprawling two-storey residence. Along the way, however, the home had lost much of its flow. Rooms had become disconnected, natural light was restricted, and one of the property’s greatest assets – its spectacular sweeping ocean views – was being underutilised.

When we first met with the homeowners, the layout problems were immediately apparent. As we discussed how they used the home each day, they described a number of frustrations that had been bothering them for years.

Our solution was surprisingly simple.

By removing just two walls, we completely reconfigured the connection between the kitchen, dining and living areas, creating a light-filled open-plan space that now flows effortlessly onto the entertaining deck while making the most of the breathtaking ocean views.

Creating better flow and modern open plan living.

The existing kitchen was completely enclosed behind walls and only accessible through two separate, small doorways.

Rather than being the heart of the home, it was cramped and isolated from the adjoining dining and living areas.

The home’s entrance also lacked impact. Visitors entered into a narrow, dark hallway before turning a corner to the main living spaces. Instead of being welcomed by the beautiful views, they were greeted by walls.

One of our first recommendations was to remove the walls surrounding the kitchen.

Part of these structural changes were new supporting beams which we were able to conceal in the ceiling space.

Immediately, the feel of the home changed.

The front entry now opens directly into the spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area with the eye immediately being drawn toward the views of Bilgola Beach and the ocean.

To further improve the entry, we installed a new, wider front door with glazed light panels and a fixed side window. This floods the entrance with natural light and creates a far more inviting first impression.

A kitchen designed with beautiful materials and everyday practicality

With the walls removed, our Northern Beaches kitchen designers were able to completely rethink how the space functioned.

Rather than simply replacing the existing cabinetry, we redesigned the entire layout to provide significantly more storage, improve workflow and create a highly functional space for daily living and entertaining.

The luxurious 20mm Smartstone Calacatta Lusso benchtops and matching splashbacks create a striking focal point. Inspired by Italian marble, Calacatta Lusso combines gold, amber and grey veining across a soft grey-white background, creating an elegant focal point.

Manufactured from 100% natural minerals using Smartstone’s advanced sintering process, the surface offers exceptional resistance to heat, stains, scratches and UV exposure. Its UV stability meant we could use the Smartstone benchtop in the outdoor servery window, creating a seamless connection between the kitchen and entertaining deck.

The extra-large island bench is both practical and beautiful.

The centrepiece of the kitchen is the generous three-metre island bench, finished with elegant V-groove joinery in Dulux Grey Pebble. There is seating for family and guests with extensive drawer storage.

Although many homeowners choose to position the sink in the island, we deliberately kept it beneath the window. This keeps the island uncluttered, with ample space to prepare meals, complete homework or sit and chat.

Not only is the island bench impressive in its design but it is also extremely practical.

To soften any sharp lines, we incorporated subtle curved detailing throughout, including a waterfall Smartstone end panel and a curved open shelf that visually connects the island to the surrounding cabinetry.

The cabinetry features sharknose finger-pull fronts finished in Dulux Natural White, complemented by an appliance wall in Dulux Taihape.

Premium Blum Tandembox silk white soft-closing drawers and Blum soft-closing hinges deliver the quality, durability and smooth operation.

Ample storage keeps the kitchen uncluttered and organised

One of the biggest improvements was creating practical storage solutions that help keep the kitchen tidy while making everyday family life easier.

With the removal of two internal walls, we were able to enclose one of the original doorways and utilise the remaining wall to create a full-height wall of cabinetry incorporating:

A 76cm integrated Liebherr refrigerator
Extensive floor-to-ceiling cabinetry
A large double-door pantry
An enclosed bifold appliance station
Twin 32L Pullboy integrated bins
Deep soft-closing drawers throughout the island and surrounding cabinetry

The enclosed appliance station at the end of the benchtop was another important addition. While some homeowners are happy for everyday appliances to remain on display, these clients preferred to keep them hidden from view while still having them easily accessible. To achieve this, we created a dedicated appliance cupboard with bifold doors, allowing appliances to be concealed when not in use while remaining ready for everyday use.

Sophisticated black Miele appliances

A full suite of black Miele appliances completed the sophisticated contemporary design, including:

Miele 80cm induction cooktop
Miele 90cm undermount rangehood
Miele 60cm integrated oven
Miele integrated microwave oven
Miele plate warmer
Miele fully integrated dishwasher

The black induction cooktop sits almost flush within the Smartstone benchtop, creating a sleek, uninterrupted surface that complements the minimalist aesthetic. An Oliveri black undermount sink paired with matching black tapware continues the contemporary styling.

Warm white LED strip lighting beneath the overhead cabinetry provides soft ambient lighting for both food preparation and entertaining, while a striking pendant above the island creates a dramatic focal point.

kitchen renovation bilgola plateau — The servery window connects the kitchen to the entertaining deck. The UV-stabilised Smartstone bench won’t fade.

Improving liveability throughout the home

While the new kitchen is undoubtedly the centrepiece of this renovation, every design decision was made to improve the way the family lives in and enjoys their home.

To better connect the kitchen with the entertaining deck and views, we installed a large aluminium sliding servery window, French doors and an additional fixed window behind the dining area. Now light floods in as well as the cool sea breeze and salt air.

Previously, sound travelled from the living areas up the stairs to the second-storey bedrooms. To overcome this, we installed a cavity sliding door adjacent to the kitchen. Not only does this significantly reduce noise transfer, but it also improves the home’s energy efficiency by retaining heat in winter and cooling during summer.

Better connection between the living areas and the entertaining deck

With the kitchen removed and the structural work underway, this was the ideal opportunity to upgrade the flooring. The original Cyprus timber floors had developed an outdated orange tone that no longer complemented the new aesthetic and we uncovered inconsistencies after we removed the walls. The homeowners chose to install new engineered American Oak flooring, which instantly made the space feel larger and brighter.

One of the benefits of working closely with homeowners throughout a renovation is that we often identify opportunities to improve other areas of the home as well. During this project, we suggested the idea of enclosing the existing front entry patio to create a practical mudroom providing a dedicated space to store beach towels, wet shoes, raincoats, dog leads, and school bags. While their budget didn’t extend to this at the moment, it’s a future improvement they’re seriously considering.

Kitchen renovation particulars

20mm Smartstone Calacatta Lusso benchtops and splashback
76cm Liebherr integrated fridge
Blum Tandemobox silk white soft-closing drawers
Blum soft closing hinges
Sharknose finger-pull fronts in Dulux Natural White
Appliance wall joinery in Dulux Taihape
Island V-groove joinery in Dulux Grey Pebble
2x32L Pullboy integrated bins
Miele 60cm integrated oven
Miele plate warmer
Miele integrated microwave oven
Miele 80cm induction cooktop
Miele 90cm undermount rangehood
Miele fully integrated dishwasher
Oliveri black undermount sink and black tapware
Warm white LED strip lighting

laundry renovation bilgola plateau — The laundry was reconfigured into a space-saving galley layout

A functional laundry renovation

The old laundry was also completely remodelled alongside the new kitchen. We used the same clean, contemporary styling while dramatically improving functionality.

Accessed through the new, space-saving sliding door, the laundry is now a practical galley layout with all cabinetry positioned along one wall. This creates a far more spacious room while improving workflow.

Laundry renovation particulars

20mm Smartstone Calacatta Lusso benchtops
White Kit-Kat tiled splashback
Sharknose finger-pull cabinetry in Dulux Natural White
Parisi brushed nickel sink and matching tapware
Side-by-side Miele front loading washing machine and heat pump dryer
Removable hanging rail
Full-height broom cupboard
Extensive storage cabinetry

A rear door provides direct access to the outdoor clothesline, making washing tasks simple and convenient.

A stylish renovation that adds value and practicality to a loved family home

While the finished kitchen is undeniably beautiful, the greatest success of this project is how dramatically the renovation improved the flow of the home.

The once dark, enclosed and disconnected layout has been transformed into a light-filled, open-plan living space that now fully embraces the stunning coastal outlook, improves circulation, provides significantly more storage and creates a natural gathering place for family and friends.

This renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design isn’t simply about selecting beautiful finishes. It’s about understanding how people live and creating spaces that make everyday life easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable, and this is where our design and renovation team excel.