A dream home is now complete thanks to the addition of a dream kitchen.

This Victorian home was designed and newly built by the owners. When it came to designing their kitchen they had firm ideas about how they wanted it to both look and function, as they did with the rest of the home. As a result they had lots of input into the design, creating a kitchen that incorporates all the modern appliances and features one could ever require.

The owners designed their kitchen in conjunction with Terry Steegstra from Kitchens Victoria and, in their discussions with Terry, requested lots of cupboard and drawer space, plenty of bench space for food preparation and a large pantry with an abundance of shelves to house the toaster, kettle and microwave out of sight.

To fulfil the owners’ request to screen off the working area from the main living room, a taller cabinet with sophisticated frosted-glass doors was created to act as a barrier to the sink in the island bench. Frosted-glass doors also feature on the pantry and the overhead cabinets either side of the rangehood.

These lucky owners love the layout of their new kitchen — it’s functional, has a great mix of colours that blends with the rest of the home and has been well designed for the family’s needs. And, best of all, it’s all theirs!

The kitchen was designed by Terry Steegstra and built by KITCHENS VICTORIA
Cost, approximately, for design, manufacture and installation, $18,200 Tim Turner PhotographyAppliances

Fact file

Doors - Café Cream gloss and Mountain Pepper gloss vinyl wrap — profile Guilford, Mountain Pepper gloss frame doors with frosted glass to back of island bench and overheads either side of rangehood
Panels - Café Cream sheen and Mountain Pepper sheen laminate
Internal Hardware - Twin slide-out waste disposal system
Handles - Brushed-nickel 7011 Series Midline D
Benchtop - TTI Stone Pty Ltd, 40mm CaesarStone with mitred edge in Walnut
Splashback - Glass
Kickboards - Mountain Pepper sheen laminate 
Floor - Porcelain granite tiles
Walls - Dulux Light Rice quarter strength 
Lighting - LED downlights; suspended lighting over island bench.

Practicality, openness and space-saving elements are the order of the day in this revitalised traditional kitchen.

This elegant Farmers kitchen offers the owners visual pleasure, practical working and storage space and is the hub of the home, all the while blending with the home’s style — a Californian Bungalow.

The previous old Tasmanian blackwood kitchen was worn out, had a very closed-in feeling about it and its appliances were out of date and no longer working. The owners found the kitchen was in dire need of a change as it no longer met the needs of their growing family. New life needed to be breathed into this all-important living zone … a place where family meals are lovingly prepared, piano music is played and many long and happy conversations enjoyed around the dining table.

When the owners outlined their design brief, it included the desire to considerably lighten the colour scheme, provide well-illuminated and open worktop areas (where a number of tasks could be undertaken independently), improve the quantity and quality of available storage space, and create a stylish traditional kitchen with an elegant and established presence.

The owners needed functionality and plenty of storage, including room for large items such as pots and slow cookers. Practicality and good use of the available area were definite requirements and a good sense of space was asked for so the whole family could enjoy cooking.

“Particular items, such as an exquisite collection of fine china, also needed to be displayed, hence the chimney mantel with illuminated glass cabinets either side,” says Lindy of Watermark Designs. “Apart from being beautiful, these china collectables provide the visual cues in the celebration of a family’s history and proudly identify the unique nature of this newly renovated space.”

Other special features that add to the appeal of this new space include the Farmers Doors arched chimney breast with keystone and mantel, slide-out spice drawers to the chimney, appliance pantry with roller door, glass-door feature cabinets with timber interior, built-in ironing board drawer and rotating corner units. These were crafted thanks to the expertise of Kitchens Victoria.“

It must be said that the skill and attention to detail ever present in Terry Steegstra’s workmanship (and that of the team at Kitchens Victoria) cannot be underestimated in the many reasons why this kitchen is special … the symbiotic relationship between design and manufacturing is essential in creating a kitchen of this calibre,” says Lindy.“To design a new kitchen for someone else’s home is always a joy. To deliver something truly special — unique to that family and their way of living — is indeed an honour.”

Features include the Farmers Doors arched chimney breast with keystone and mantel and slide-out spice drawers to the chimney. 

Designer details: The kitchen was designed by Terry Steegstra of Kitchens Victoria and Lindy McGrath of Watermark Designs and built by Kitchens Victoria Photography Tim Turner Photography

We love the chimney mantel. With illuminated glass cabinets either side, it allows an exquisite collection of fine china to be displayed.

HIDDEN GEMS

“The home’s exquisite, uninterrupted view of the beautiful Yarra Valley inspired this kitchen design. The owners wanted minimalist elements, open and uncluttered areas. It could even be called clandestine as many wonderful internal features are discreetly concealed within a simple exterior. The main kitchen walls and skilfully crafted cabinetry have been painted to blend seamlessly with the rest of the home. However, as focal points and distinct functional zones, the chimney piece and island bench were to exhibit uniqueness. Pantry-sized cabinets accommodate storage features and internal lighting. The butler’s pantry presented a minor challenge. The modest space had to feel comfortably proportioned without sacrificing valuable bench or storage areas and incorporates wrap-around shelving, a general-use fridge, microwave, scullery and waste disposal. The kitchen’s aspect appreciates an exquisite view. Its hue and crisp simplicity give the allure of an elegant beachside resort, yet also the classical minimalism of an inner-city townhouse.”

We love the exclusive door profile in white teamed with the island countertop.

Designer: Kitchens Victoria with Watermark Design and Harding Building Developments

Practicality, openness and space-saving elements are the order of the day in this revitalised traditional kitchen.

“The owners wanted a French provincial style with modern features but needed help bringing their vision to life. Farmers Waratah doors in Espresso provide the overall look and feel, with glass feature doors to add light and visual interest. The deep rich palette is intensified further by the red jarrah floors for a bold dramatic look. The island bench with its elegant granite top strikes a balance with the cabinets, allowing the oversized chimney surround to be the focal point. Large bi-fold doors open to reveal a modern Euro laundry — a must-have item for the owners. Functional hardware was also on the owners’ wish list, so we incorporated soft-close drawers and a door-mounted waste disposal system. On the exterior, the antique handles are true to the French provincial theme, adding a sense of refinement.”

We love the intensity of the espresso-coloured cabinets and red jarrah floors.

Designer: Terry Steegstra from Kitchens Victoria