Design to love A stunning coastal kitchen & bathroom
BY VISUALLY TYING THE BATHROOM AND KITCHEN TOGETHER, A SENSE OF UNITY WAS CREATED IN A DESIGNER’S HOLIDAY HOME
“Spaces need to be beautiful and easy to live with, particularly in a holiday home, and we’ve achieved that – when we come here, it’s all about relaxing!” ~ Ania, homeowner
For 10 years, interior designer Ania and husband Les had been visiting the small beachside town of New Brighton, in northern NSW. And it was while on a weekend drive that the pair spotted a vacant block for sale. Wasting no time in snapping it up, Ania drafted the plans and enlisted Les’ skills as a builder to create a contemporary holiday house. “I wanted it to have that relaxed feel where you could come back from the beach with sandy feet,” explains Ania, who runs interior design company Zephyr + Stone with her sister, Kasia.
A pared-back palette laid the foundation for effortless cohesion throughout, particularly between the kitchen and bathroom, with the starting point of the renovation being the kitchen, which overlooks a sea of trees. “I wanted to create a connection with the outdoors, so I opted for a clear glass window splashback with louvres either side to bring in the light, greenery and ventilation,” says Ania.
Inspiration for the colour palette was also drawn from the location, with the light oak floor tones reminiscent of the warm, grey shades seen at the beach on dusk. “I carried the same oak flooring throughout and injected more warmth with Polytec Natural Oak Ravine laminate on all the joinery in the kitchen and ensuite, and wrapped it around custom pendant lights, which are a feature in both zones,” says Ania.
Sticking to classic white, grey and timber finishes, the ensuite – enveloped in large-format grey shellstone tiles – also echoes a subtle coastal theme. Functionality plays a key role, too, with abundant storage helping to keep easy-care surfaces sleek and clutter-free. curated displays “When you have a great neutral base, the space becomes a canvas where you can add pops of colour and personality with ceramics, art and treasured pieces, which are easy to change,” explains Ania, of the display (above left). “That’s why I love incorporating open shelving at several heights; it adds depths to the space.” On the kitchen island, lowset shelves are clad in Polytec Natural Oak Ravine laminate.
textural feels
In a monochrome scheme, it’s important to add texture. Hexagonal tiles from Tile & Stone Gallery bookend the splashback (above right) while the surrounding walls are defined in Easycraft VJ panelling painted in Resene Alabaster. Custom wall hangings by Woven Husk introduce a sense of nature. “I love bringing in textural elements which pick up the natural colour palette outdoors,” says Ania. A neutral grey and white palette, tempered by timber in both the kitchen and ensuite, evokes a contemporary look with timeless appeal. Steering away from glossy surfaces, Ania instead opted for a more natural patina wherever possible. In the kitchen, 2-pac cabinetry by Vivid Joinery Solutions was painted in Resene Double Alabaster and given a satin finish. Caesarstone in Snow provided a softer grey-white for benchtops.
sleek simplicity
Great storage is the key to reserving surfaces for your decorative pieces. In the kitchen, an adjoining scullery (above) ensures the fridge, small appliances and a prep zone are accessible yet out of direct view. Similarly, in the home’s bathroom (see page 136), deep shelves in the floating vanity keep towels, cosmetics and soaps under wraps. Power points are also cleverly hidden within drawers, enabling the walls to remain beautifully sleek.
pantry perfection
Coordination carries through to the pantry (above left), where glass cannisters with timber lids from Provincial Home Living tone in perfectly with the cabinetry and keeps goods in neat and tidy order.
green touch
In the kitchen, Ania cleverly captured the outlook over a pocket of rainforest with a long window splashback from Suburban Windows (above right). “There were so many benefits in using a window above the cooktop,” she explains. “It brought in the greenery from outside, as well as natural light, which is so important in the kitchen.”
“By using a consistent colour scheme, rooms flow into each other and nothing screams for attention” ~ Ania, homeowner