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Keen renovators Tilly and Ray loved the ‘70s features of their Canberra townhouse, but their home’s kitchen left a lot to be desired. “The rest of the house has high ceilings, which is one reason why we bought it, but the kitchen was small and poky in the corner of a large space,” says interior stylist Tilly (tillyrobertsdesign.com).
Along with a lack of modern necessities (no dishwasher, for example), carpet butted up to the kitchen, and a benchtop upstand screened it off, isolating the cook from family and guests. “It was really antisocial,” says Tilly. “When we had people over, I’d be in the kitchen cooking by myself!”
In addition to opening up the kitchen to the dining and lounge areas of the house, Tilly and Ray wanted to increase storage and make more efficient use of the space. They used the Kaboodle 3D planner to draw up their ideal kitchen remodel, with budget top of mind.
“We tried to work with the original kitchen framework where possible, keeping plumbing and electrics roughly in the same areas to cut costs,” says Tilly. They also demolished most of the old kitchen themselves rather than hiring external help, which helped keep costs down.
The goal was to transform the space from a cramped nook into an organised yet stylish room, so it was important to consider both the layout and practical solutions. To resolve the storage shortage, they made use of an empty brick wall; it now houses a fridge, pantry, cabinetry and shelving.
In addition, to make the space more sociable, the kitchen benchtop was extended into a small seating and dining area to connect the home’s kitchen and living areas.
The Kaboodle raw board cabinetry (in Alpine profile) allowed Tilly and Ray to choose their own colour. They settled on a half-tint of Taubmans ‘South Wind’ paint, a subtle grey-green shade that married well with the original timber in their ‘70s home.
To further reduce renovation costs, the pair prepped and hand-painted the cabinetry themselves, which gave it a beautiful, soft finish. “I like that matt finish – it feels very natural,” says Tilly.
Another benefit: the paint is easy to touch up if it gets damaged. Tilly and Ray could also choose to change the colour completely if they wanted a whole new look and feel for their kitchen.
American oak benchtops were selected to tie in with the home’s original timber elements. To make the project even more cost-efficient, offcuts were turned into shelves to create more storage options. Tilly and Ray prepped and finished all the timber themselves, and say the maintenance required – sanding and re-oiling from time to time – is more than outweighed by the wood's warmth, beauty and longevity.
The open shelves were a must for Tilly, who has a collection of lovely objects. “It makes the kitchen feel personalised – we can put the beautiful pieces out on display, rather than hiding them away in a cabinet,” she says.
Find more ideas to transform your kitchen space with these kitchen renovations.
Photo Credit: Cath Muscat and Diakrat
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
