Tim and Emma’s Blackwood home already had something special: nature right on the doorstep. It’s what drew them there, as well as the strong sense of community. Views of tree canopies straight out the windows and wildlife that wanders past daily.

They share their home with two energetic young boys, Albert and Ted. Being outdoors is what binds them all, and they can often be found in the nearby reserves, parks, at the beach, or riding bikes by the creek. If not busy in the backyard.

Indoors, it’s a love of music that sets the tone. Classical for calm, older rock to bring the energy and KPop Demon Hunters fighting for high rotation thanks to the youngest.

Our project was part of a much larger extension to create more breathing room, but also the first thing they considered. Emma had followed SpaceCraft on socials for years, drawn to the individuality and personality in every project. So, when it came time to renovate, she knew exactly who to call and what to ask for. The rest could follow.

Clinical white was out. Warmth, colour and an inviting palette of materials were in. MCM design was to influence, but we also needed to honour the home’s age. More specifically, they wanted:
– A nod to Mid-Century Modern without going full timber cabin
– Tasmanian Oak to complement the existing furniture
– A soft and light palette that felt playful but timeless
– Texture in some of the elements
– Soft curves
– A concealed pantry to avoid overcrowding
– Minimal overheads
– Ideally, a wine fridge or a coffee nook

And because life with young kids is… tactile, the benchtop would need the power to withstand regular beatings.

Sarah set about designing a kitchen that could hold the chaos, honour the calm, and celebrate the colour of family life.  A space for dinner, hosting guests, playing games, and carving out some rare, sacred pockets of quiet – Emma’s dream. (She and Tim are busy professionals, too!)

We’re a dedicated team of deep listeners who are exceptional at our craft. That’s not us just blowing our own trumpet, Emma said so!

This is how we met her family’s needs and wants:

The first design challenge was balancing timber with restraint. The home already featured Tasmanian Oak, but they didn’t want a full timber kitchen. Sarah’s solution? A curved Tasmanian Oak trim wrapping the benchtop and tile splashback – a custom detail that instantly lifted the space without overwhelming it.

As for the material on the benchtop, Laminex was the “no-brainer” choice. Emma’s right, there are way better things to do than panic about chips, marks and staining of natural stone when your kids are young and full of beans.

Then came colour. During the initial consult, Sarah showed Tim and Emma a large example of Porcelain Blush in our workshop, and it was love at first sight. Soft, playful and light, it became the anchor for the entire palette. Paired with the warmth of Tasmanian Oak and the earthy clay tones of the terracotta tiles and pendant lights, the kitchen began to take on the inviting, sunlit feel they’d imagined.

Texture was introduced through the tiles, timber and curved edges. The handles, originally considered as recessed finger pulls, became protruding custom Tasmanian Oak handles for ease of use and a cohesive, sculptural look. The curves continued across the benchtops, open shelves and trim, softening the space and echoing the gentle lines of Mid-Century design.

In Emma’s words, “The curves and smooth edges of our timber handles, capped timber edges and splashback really pulled the whole design together to make it cohesive.”

Storage was a major priority and sat alongside the challenge of using overheads only where necessary. Sarah incorporated deep drawers, corner units and two-tier pull-outs, allowing the kitchen to work hard without feeling heavy.

The concealed pantry was hidden behind a large door, meeting Emma’s request to keep most appliances hidden away. The result is a space that feels calm, even when life is not.

And then came hero feature one: the coffee nook. A small alcove designed to contain the morning mess, keep the grinds in check, and store the family’s favourite cups and gadgets within easy reach. Emma summed it up perfectly: “Making coffee is messy and having a little alcove where all the grinds are contained and can be quickly cleaned up… is a delight.”

Because the home’s original kitchen was tiny and had extremely limited bench space, the new island bench was a shoo-in for hero feature number two. Without sinks or cooktops, it’s the family’s main work zone. A place for the boys to sit, help, snack, or simply orbit around while Tim watches the footy or cricket. It was put to the test early via a pizza night where, according to reports, “everyone had space to stand around the bench, roll out the dough and assemble their toppings with plenty of room.”

Well done, Sarah. Emma and Tim now have their perfectly spacious home among the gum trees, rocking chair and all!