Luxe renovation
Top-end finishes, customised joinery and designer appliances are just the start when you have a generous budget to play with
A high-end kitchen with appliances can cost upwards of
$50,000, says Blake Riley. In return, you can expect a design that’s perfectly tailored to your cooking space, with top-of-therange finishes and luxe extras, such as appliance nooks to keep your toaster and kettle out of sight, and pocket-door storage.
“Flexibility is key,” says Tracy Smedley, chief growth officer at Freedom Kitchens. “Our Designer range of kitchens gives you more flexibility in terms of module sizes, accessories, colours and finishes.” A bigger budget opens the door to luxe materials and finishes, such as solid timber, timber veneer, V-groove door profiles and natural and engineered stone benchtops.
To get the most from a custom design, start with a good set of measurements and make a wish list of everything you want to do in your kitchen and how many people will be using it. When selecting colours and finishes, consider those in any adjoining living and dining spaces in order to create a cohesive look. And don’t forget the little details, such as having sufficient power points and recharging stations.
Overall, be mindful of things that can push the budget up and prioritise accordingly. “High-category stone benchtops, waterfall ends to an island and profiled doors will all bump up the budget,” says Blake. Small inclusions can have an impact, too: “Pantry pocket doors can cost $3000 a pair, high-end drawer runner systems can cost 30% more than standard runners, and coloured carcass internals can be 30% more expensive than plain white ones,” he says.
Of course, you’ll want good-looking appliances to complement your luxe kitchen. “Integrated appliances allow you to conceal appliances such as the fridge and dishwasher behind cabinetry doors for a seamless look,” says Gary Brown. “They tend to cost more than freestanding models – fridges start from about $4000 and dishwashers from $2000.”
Other appealing products for a top-end kitchen include induction cooktops that sit perfectly flush with your benchtop; touch-to-open, handless built-in ovens in sleek matt-black; steam and speed ovens; and built-in or freestanding wine cabinets and sommelier drawers. You’ll never want takeout again!
1 Integrated Columns in Timber, from $16,999, Fisher & Paykel. 2 Dekton ‘Laurent’ ultracompact from the Natural Collection, POA, Cosentino. Miele ‘KM7897FL’ 936mm frameless-glass ceramic induction cooktop, $6999, Harvey Norman. 4 Nebulae Horizontal $9611, Ross Gardam. Italian Terrazzo 43 Honed $160 per sq m, Surface Gallery. 6 Dekton ‘Liquid Shell’ ultracompact surface, POA, Cosentino. 7 Dekton ‘Khalo’ ultracompact surface, POA, Cosentino. 8 Travertine Zena stone POA, Artedomus. 9 Silestone ‘Doradus’ surface, POA, Cosentino. 10 Cornet rail in Polished Brass, from $26, Kethy. 11 Leather recessed in Natural and Chocolate, from $77.50 each, MadeMeasure. 12 Zip ‘HT3786Z5’ HydroTap with boiling and filtered water in Brushed Rose Gold, $1910, Appliances Online. Falcon Classic Deluxe dual fuel range in Racing Green and Brass, AGA Australia. 14 Inax ‘Yohen’ glazed ceramic border POA, Artedomus. Grohe Essence pull-out in Brushed Cool Sunrise, $921, Reece.