Party ready kitchen ideas

A SPECTACULAR SLAB OF DARK GREY MARBLE IS THE STAR ATTRACTION OF THIS NEW KITCHEN, NOW A HUB FOR A BUSY FAMILY OF FIVE ADULTS

“WHEN YOU WALK DOWN OUR HALL FROM THE FRONT DOOR, THE WATERFALL EDGE ON THE MARBLE IS A STAND-OUT FEATURE AND WE JUST LOVE IT” ~ Alex

There comes a time in every home’s life when everything needs a bit of a refresh. That was the case with this kitchen, well used and loved by homeowners Alex and Jonathan and their now grown-up children, Jordan, Hamish and Lily. The family had owned the house, in Sydney’s leafy upper north shore, for more than 20 years and the kitchen had certainly done the hard yards, but the space was due for a makeover – something with a more stylish edge. With guidance from renovation expert Sarah Comerford, founder of Home By Belle, the floor plan was first priority on the to-fix list. The kitchen’s original U-shape layout was reconfigured to help maximise natural light and provide enough space for the family to share in the cooking duties. A more contemporary galley style space, opening up to the adjacent dining area, checked all the boxes. “We went for plain cupboards and drawers with no handles because we like the clean lines,” says Alex. “And white is always fresh.” A huge island bench made from a spectacular slab of grey Nuvolato marble is all class, and comes complete with a family sized sink and a purposebuilt ice bucket – a suggestion from 20-year-old Lily – while a walk-in pantry hidden in the corner completes the new space. With so much to love, Alex says it’s hard to pick out her favourite element. “It flows really well and it just seems so much bigger,” she says. “The benchtops are bigger and we’ve got more cupboard space and drawers as well. I like spending time in the kitchen now.”

WINE FRIDGES A large island bench made from Nuvolato marble sets the scene in this Sydney family kitchen, which was redesigned for entertaining. The bench is home to two Vintec wine fridges (one for red wine, one for white), which open out onto the walkway between the renovated kitchen and the dining room. The kitchen mixer is from Industrie Tapware. >

ICE BUCKET The built-in ice bucket – an idea from Alex’s daughter, Lily – was designed by Sarah and custom-made through Reece. “Lily saw that in a magazine somewhere a few years ago and said, ‘Oh, we have to have that’,” explains Alex. When not in use, a custom-made lid fits snugly over the cavity to allow more preparation space along the bench.

PANTRY “Our pantry is a whole other kitchen in itself,” explains homeowner Alex. “Sarah from Home By Belle came up with that idea. Initially we were going to have the pantry go into the laundry, but this was a better solution. It’s fabulous!” The spacious L-shaped walk-in pantry is fitted with custom cabinetry designed through Home By Belle. “We’ve got drawers and shelves there and another benchtop… with the espresso machine fitting in there, too. You can just close it off with those double doors and you wouldn’t even know that was behind.”

BUDGET BREAKDOWN Appliances: $13,018. Downlights: $850. Flooring: $8845. Kitchen cabinetry: $28,260. Painting: $7100. Pantry cabinetry and door: $3725. Sink and tap: $1000. Stone benchtops and splashback: $18,300. TOTAL $81,098* INTERIOR DESIGN: Sarah Comerford, Home By Belle, homebybelle.com.au.