Clean & clear

A much-anticipated renovation delivered a dream kitchen featuring crisp lines and lashings of natural light.

After living with a 20-year-old kitchen, Melbourne homeowners Alan and Jo had a clear list of ‘must-haves’ for their much-anticipated renovation, and called on the expertise of Freedom Kitchens to realise their vision. The original kitchen and laundry, located at the rear of their California bungalow, were small spaces that lacked storage and functionality. Alan and Jo wanted to enlarge the kitchen and enhance its connection to both the adjacent living space and the garden. Stylistically, they wanted lots of light, clean lines and cupboards extending to the 3-metre-high ceilings. “They specifically wanted no handles,” says Tracy Smedley, chief growth officer at Freedom Kitchens. In consultation with the designers, the couple opted to reconfigure the floor plan, flipping the kitchen to the opposite side of the home. This allowed for a 2.8x3.7-metre U-shape layout featuring a return bench (100x86.5 centimetres) that comfortably seats two. A European-style concealed laundry, measuring 185x80 centimetres, is housed in the adjacent tall cabinetry. A mix of drawers and to-the-ceiling cabinets (many with drawers within) ensures that all storage needs are met. Alan and Jo were keen for a white and grey colour scheme, to tie in with the external colours of their heritage home. They chose a two-toned palette of Iceland Peak White Satin for the lower run of cabinetry and Newbury Fox Flint for the overhead and taller cabinetry. “We used Freedom Kitchens’ integrated Peak handles to give them the sleek look they wanted,” says Tracy. Bifold windows connect the kitchen directly to the deck and makes the perfect servery when Alan and Jo are entertaining. > Freedom Kitchens; www.freedomkitchens.com.au.