Kitchen renovations North Shore.
When designing an apartment kitchen renovation, it’s all about maximising the space to ensure the customer enjoys all the features and functionality of a full sized kitchen.
The first stage of the kitchen renovation in this compact North Sydney apartment was to increase the useable space. To achieve this, we removed part of the wall between the kitchen and living area. Not only did this open up the kitchen to the lounge room, allowing more natural light to flood in, but enabled us to add a generous wrap-around breakfast bar. This provided the owners with more bench space and an optional dining area.
Liaising with the Strata Managers and Executive Committee
Before proceeding with the wall removal, our structural engineer prepared a detailed report of the works required for the Strata Managers and Executive Committee. It’s important to mention that flatpack and modular kitchen design companies typically don’t have the expertise or certification to undertake structural works, leaving this up to the property owner to organise and manage. We have a team of licensed tradespeople that are certified and experienced to undertake any building, carpentry, joinery, plumbing and electrical work needed. This reduces the kitchen renovation cost, ensures the renovation proceeds efficiently and, importantly, takes added stress off the client. We’re able to successfully manage every aspect of your kitchen renovation from design to completion.
Compact kitchen design solutions
With approval to partially remove the wall received from Executive Committee, we proceeded with the kitchen design process. The client showed us examples of coastal and Hampton kitchen designs they liked. Our kitchen design team loved everything they saw and were able to deliver.
In consultation with the client, we discussed kitchen layout options and suggested features that would maximise the space available. When designing a new kitchen for an apartment, we incorporate clever storage solutions so the client benefits from all the features and functionality of a full-sized kitchen.
To achieve a seamless appearance, we integrated the dishwasher and added a shaker-style front panel matching the rest of the cabinetry. Not only does this look cleaner, through continuity in design, makes the space appear larger.
We were able to add a large, double pantry with pull-out drawers and integrated storage solutions to maximise storage.
A calm coastal colour palette
The clients were adamant they wanted a cool, white colour palette and we couldn’t have agreed with their choice more. Rather than opting for a stark white colour (like Lexicon) for the cupboard doors, we suggested Dulux Highgate – a subtle, cool grey colour with a slightly greenish undertone. A great choice for a Hampton-style kitchen design. Offset by the white walls and linear-pull, white handles, the Highgate polyurethane doors provided a slight contrast and reduced the starkness of a starker, all-white colour choice.
Hiding building essentials takes foresight and expertise.
Kitchens in apartments often have building essentials that have to be worked around. These may include electricity boxes, pipe stacks, hot water systems and other building essentials. Nobody wants these exposed so it’s important we hide them behind cabinetry but ensure they’re easily accessible should they require repair or replacement. To this end, we added the wine rack beside the pantry and a display shelf adjacent to the kitchen sink. Hidden at the rear of a deep cupboard is the hot water system. As tradespeople, we know the frustration often experienced by tradespeople when they are called in to repair, for example, a hot water system or electrical components, only to find them blocked in with thoughtless kitchen cabinetry design. The kitchen then has to be pulled apart to provide access. With a bit of foresight and many years of experience, our kitchen designers use foresight and experience to prevent problems from occurring down the track.
Bathroom renovation
Whilst we were onsite, the client took advantage of our tradespeople and asked us to make some updates to their bathroom. We removed their old floor vanity and replaced it with a new wall-mounted vanity. To maintain design consistency throughout the apartment, the new vanity featured the same Anterior XL Carrara soft porcelain 40mm top and Dulux Highgate polyurethane shaker-style drawer front.
We installed a new, double, mirrored shaving cabinet over the vanity which added much-needed storage in the compact bathroom.
Our plumber and custom joinery team installed new tapware, shower head, towel rails, hooks and a highly desired hand shower. Hand showers have grown in popularity recently because they allow more control over the intensity and direction of the water, without getting the hair wet. They also make shower cleaning easier.
Custom joinery built-in wardrobes
To complement the new kitchen and create design consistency throughout the apartment, we installed custom-designed built-in wardrobes in the master and second bedroom in the same style as the kitchen joinery. To maximise the storage available, we integrated different sized drawers, shelves and hanging solutions.
Kitchen renovation particulars
The kitchen renovation package comprised the following inclusions:
- Anterior XL – Carrara Soft porcelain 40mm bench tops
- Anterior XL – Carrara Soft porcelain 12mm splash backs
- Blum Antaro silk white soft closing drawers
- Blum soft closing hardware for the doors
- Dulux Highgate polyurethane shaker doors/drawer fronts (Kitchen/Bathroom)
- Dulux Lexicon half strength shaker doors (Wardrobes)
- Support beam installed into kitchen area (Wall removed)
- Drop ceilings installed throughout for LED downlights/ceiling fans
- Westinghouse 70cm fridge
- Bosch 60cm Integrated dishwasher
- Westinghouse 60cm oven and undermount rangehood
- Bosch 60cm natural gas cooktop
- Blackbutt hardwood flooring throughout
- LO & CO – linear pull white handles throughout
More photos of this North Sydney kitchen renovation
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