Divine decorating Stylish kitchen & bathroom updates

CHIC AND CLEVER, THIS KITCHEN IS FILLED WITH PRACTICAL DETAILS THAT MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR A BUSY FAMILY

From the moment Ciara Tapia, senior designer at Blue Tea Kitchens & Bathrooms, saw the original kitchen of this home in Sydney’s inner west she knew it needed a complete refresh. “It was extremely dated and didn’t have any flair,” she shares. Not only did the owners Susie and James, who live here with their two small children, want the space to reflect their own style but they also needed a more functional zone for family life and entertaining. While the shape and size of the kitchen didn’t change significantly, small tweaks have made a huge difference. The pantry door, which used to open into the kitchen, was swapped for a sliding door and the island bench was extended so that “everyone would gather around and then gradually go across to the dining area comfortably”. Once the big decisions were made, it was time to zone in on the details. James, a passionate cook, picked out the appliances while Ciara and Susie teamed up to select the finishes, expertly pairing subtle golden and grey tones with black. Now, Susie and James love how their new kitchen works for them and their family. “They feel like it’s a haven again and they’re enjoying every moment they spend in it,” says Ciara. “They live around the kitchen island as a family and in the different rooms completely engaged and connected to each other.” >

“AS THE KITCHEN ages, NOTHING WILL DATE BECAUSE THERE ARE a couple OF LAYERS” ~ CIARA TAPIA, INTERIOR DESIGNER

A HOME FOR EVERYTHING Susie and James wanted a space to display favourite objects and this custom open shelving in Polytec Angora Oak is perfect. It also performs double-duty as a spot for plates and bowls. Below, the slimline Ferm Living kitchen rod from Finnish Design Shop provides access to frequently used items. “It’s also in reach for the kids,” says Ciara. Meanwhile, the Resident ‘Tangerine’ stools from HG and artwork by Tampere Kenzo Aritoshi (opposite) tie in with the shelving and zellige ‘Snow’ tiles from Tiles of Ezra.

WOW FACTOR A STANDOUT FEATURE IS THE SEMI-TRANSPARENT FLUTED GLASS CUPBOARD FRONTS, WHICH SOFTEN THE SOLID BLACK JOINERY AND HELP TO DEMARCATE WHERE THE MORE SOCIAL ZONES OF THE LIVING AND DINING AREAS BEGIN. THEY ALSO SERVE A PRACTICAL PURPOSE WHEN YOU’RE ENTERTAINING. “YOU CAN POINT TO A CUPBOARD AND ASK A GUEST TO GRAB SOMETHING AND THEY CAN SEE WHAT’S IN THERE,” SAYS CIARA.

COOK’S DOMAIN This corner is undoubtably James’ zone, a passionate cook who selected the combined Wolf oven and stove, Wolf rangehood and Sub-Zero fridge, all from Winning Appliances. “His cooking area had to work really well for him,” says Ciara. And, while the appliances tick all James’ boxes, the handmade tiles pick up the tones in the super white dolomite stone and Perrin & Rowe ‘Ionian’ brass tapware from The English Tapware Company. “The light hits everything differently so there’s a play on shadows,” says Ciara. >