How a Queensland couple added heart, soul and serenity to their kitchen

When you’re working with a shoestring budget, the best way out of a sad kitchen is to focus on what impacts mood – colour, cabinets, workspace and finishes – and integrate the rest. Other elements can always be fine-tuned over time. That was the mend and make-do approach D.I.Y. duet Charmaine and Adam Wood took with their 15-year-old cooking space. “We didn’t change the layout because there was nothing wrong with it. But we’d outgrown the original style – it felt dark and uninviting,” explains Charmaine. 

Building their D.I.Y. Skills

Charmaine and Adam’s journey into the home improvement world started when they bought their first fixer-upper at age 23. The couple didn’t have much money left over to outsource the renovation, but they had a fire in their bellies. “We had a strong desire to undertake projects in our first home to make it feel more personal and welcoming, but we simply lacked the funds to hire tradespeople,” laments Charmaine. “This experience sparked our love for D.I.Ying.”

Adam’s parents taught him and Charmaine some basic D.I.Y. skills and, with practice, the amateur D.I.Yers honed their new craft. This gave them the confidence to take on more complex tasks, tackle budgeting and develop their own personal style. You can’t put a price on a new knack learned.

Upsizing for a family

The Woods built their second home in haste around 2010. Nothing moves a project forward like a deadline. In this case, it was the birth of Charmaine and Adam’s child, Emma. “We rushed to choose our design features so we could move in just one week before she was born,” reveals Charmaine. While their kitchen was livable, it didn’t look very lived in.

Fast forward to 2025, and the Wood household has changed. The seasoned D.I.Yers’ daughter is now a teenager and the family has two new energetic members – border collies Mikey and Nya. No longer able to meet the family’s hectic daily needs, the kitchen fell short on both frills and function. It was due for a remodel.

 

Mapping out a plan

There’s a lot more to a kitchen revamp than just scanning paint swatches. The Woods started by fleshing out their ideas visually. “We created mood boards to see how the colours and finishes worked together,” says Charmaine. They opted for the trending biophilic (nature-inspired) design. “I’m drawn to earthy, organic styles that feel calm and welcoming. That really influenced the overall look of our kitchen –  warm, natural and relaxed,” says Charmaine. “I drew most of my inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram.”

When it came to setting and maintaining a budget, the Woods went old school: “We used pen and paper to keep track of our budgeting,” laughs Charmaine. To save dollars – and reduce waste – they drew up a detailed plan of all the materials they needed with precise measurements. 

Acing the biophilic concept

Charmaine and Adam were aligned on how they would create a Mother Nature-approved organic look for their kitchen. “We decided on an earthy green paint for the cabinets to bring a sense of calm and connection to the outdoors, while white walls would help keep it fresh and bright,” says Charmaine.

To evoke the same feelings experienced in nature, the Woods incorporated waterproof hybrid floorboards – perfect for a spill-prone, high-foot-traffic area – and woven leather stools. Then they added an extra layer of texture with brushed brass task lighting and a brass hand towel hanger, which develops a beautiful patina over time. “This was one of our splurges,” admits Charmaine.

Elevate the humble bench

Everyone wants an island to anchor the heart of their home, but one that’s too small can drown in a high-activity space. This was the Wood family’s dilemma. They planned to extend the stone benchtop and replace the storage underneath with customisable Kaboodle Kitchen cabinetry so the island could earn its spot as the room’s multi-functional focal point. “We built out the island to give it a grand and cohesive look,” says Charmaine.

Rejigging the joinery

If it’s one thing that will chase anyone out of a kitchen, it’s dark, drab cabinetry that fails to keep things tidy (and let’s not talk about the Tupperware drawer!). To bring both character and organisation into the cooking space, Charmaine opted for the minimalist, yet timeless look of Kaboodle Shaker-style cabinetry. “I love how affordable and flexible it is. The sizes and options available give you the freedom to design any configuration, while the quality feels solid and long lasting.”

The versatility of these flatpack marvels allowed the Woods to cleverly convert the cabinets near the stove into drawers. “This change now makes it easier to access items while cooking. The drawers also fit more, reducing space wastage,” says Charmaine. The pantry was another area where they utilised dead space. “Originally, the pantry consisted of four deep open shelves, but we transformed the spot into a butler’s pantry with a benchtop, cabinets, open shelves, drawers and full-height cabinets.”

 

Though cabinet handles may be small, they have a transformative effect. With this in mind, Charmaine added a mix of brushed steel polka dot knobs and bar pulls. “I drew my inspiration from American kitchen designs. I like their simplicity and streamlined appearance.”

 

Smart spending strategies

With their fixed budget, the Woods had to be strategic about where to spend and where to save. “The existing stone benchtop was in good condition, so we made sure the new features complemented it,” explains Charmaine. They also retained the double sink, tiled splashback and rangehood as these items can easily be updated in the future. “Hopefully, we can undertake kitchen reno 2.0!”

This savvy approach meant the Woods could splash out on the Shaker cabinetry, luxe leather high chairs, eye-catching hardware and five-star power tools. Charmaine believes: “It’s the little details that matter, and good-quality tools make all the difference”. Take note, novices!

A dream D.I.Y. duo

As veteran D.I.Yers, the Woods were able to save on labour costs. “We only hired the professionals to remove the tiled floors and install new hybrid flooring, and an electrician to disconnect and reconnect power to the island and stovetop, and to install the new pendant lights,” explains Charmaine. “Everything else was completed by us.”

With full-time jobs, the Woods implemented a flexible schedule and a realistic deadline. “We completed most of the work on weekends and occasionally after hours,” says Charmaine. That meant the whole job took six months to complete, but the silver lining? “We stayed on budget,” smiles Charmaine.

Divvying up responsibilities based on each other’s strengths is a wise approach for renovating couples. Charmaine shines in the ideating, design and decorating department, and handled the painting, sanding and plastering. “I wish I’d known just how long it takes to sand all those door fronts,” laughs Charmaine.

Budgets and spreadsheets are Adam’s domain, along with woodwork wizardry, and anything that involves power tools. “However, we often feed off each other when we come up with an idea,” says Charmaine. A true D.I.Y. match made in heaven! 

Summing it all up

As a place to gather, and a zen zone where you focus on the task at hand, your kitchen needs to balance a sense of welcoming warmth with supreme function. This renewed family space found that happy equilibrium. “I love how everything came together – the colours, textures and finishes. And what I love the most is how it feels to be in this kitchen. It’s warm, inviting and exactly what we had envisioned,” smiles Charmaine. For renovators, nothing trumps the satisfaction of a D.I.Y. job well done! “We are so proud of what we achieved.”

More from Charmaine and Workshop

To see more projects like Charmaine and Adam’s kitchen renovation, visit the Bunnings Workshop community.