Forget concrete and steel. Relationships are the real foundation for any building project. And that goes to so many levels. Take this project, for example. The client was searching the Internet for someone to build their new home when they came upon our web site. Fortunately, they were inspired by what they saw. But they were equally impressed with the work we’d done in partnership with our friends here in Strathalbyn at Aaron Martin Construction. So, through us, they found their builder. And then through AMC, we got to build the kitchen. All based on a relationship of mutual respect and trust we have built since 2011. A relationship both AMC and SpaceCraft Joinery would rely on to deliver one of the most challenging projects we’d ever faced.

The reason we love working with Aaron Martin Construction is not only because we love Susie and Aaron, but because both companies have such similar principles. For example, AMC only takes on a handful of new homes and large extensions each year to ensure they can devote themselves to the projects and not spread themselves too thinly. They also apply themselves unreservedly to getting every meticulous detail right. Plus, they have no ‘house style’: every project is inspired by the individual client and offers a unique design opportunity, ranging anywhere from scrupulously traditional to coolly contemporary and everything in between.

As a new, start-from-scratch project, the challenge we faced wasn’t the usual “can you build me the Taj Mahal in a phone box?” scenario. Quite the reverse, if you look at the photos of this gloriously generous space. Instead, the trick with this kitchen would be to live up to the expectations of a client, who had one of the most comprehensive briefs we’ve ever seen, had a very particular style in mind and wasn’t going to take second best. (Rightly so.) Now, some may be intimidated by that; we relish it, however. So, Nathan sharpened his metaphorical pencil and got stuck in.

The brief for the home and, hence, our kitchen joinery as well, was that the design would be classic, inspired by the Victorian period and feature a neutral colour palette. Funnily enough, one of the problems to solve revolved around where to put the fridge. You’ve probably struggled with it yourself: where do you stick these big, ugly brutes so they’re close at hand but not dominating the landscape?

Starting with the biggest problem, Nathan designed a nook to hide the fridge that also created a pantry space in the corner. (We often find problems create unexpected opportunities.) The second critical design element was the hero mantelpiece the client requested. If Nathan didn’t get that right, it could have overpowered the space and made it feel smaller rather than accentuate its grandness. Which is why you get a qualified designer in, after all, isn’t it?

From there, it was all about the detail. And what delightful details they are. The cabinetry features Shaker-style doors and drawers with classic shell pulls and chrome knobs. The Tuscan mould crowning the overhead cupboards blends nicely into the cornice and finds a pleasing chorus in the plinth bases. That masterful mantelpiece is suspended atop two lovely corbels, so it’s clearly a statement rather than a cry for attention. Each end of the island bench is punctuated by slatted open shelving, that’s functional and adds a human touch, whilst either side of the mantelpiece, overhead storage cabinets feature ‘Waverley Flemish’ ripple glass.

Showing her own creative flair and impeccable taste, our client chose: the classic industrial-style pendant lights; the stunning black Smeg freestanding oven that’s a focal point of the kitchen (from The Victoria range featuring chrome knobs to match our handles); the Masia Blanco tiles from National Tiles (which were laid in a brick-bond pattern with white grout); and the Provence tap from Perrin & Rowe. Classic style with elegant restraint.

As Susie from Aaron Martin Construction summed it up, “Definitely the biggest challenge of this project was the client’s incredible attention to detail and expectation that our work would be fulfilled to the millimetre. But because we were both able to meet this requirement, it’s resulted in a showpiece for all of us that’s led to enquiries from as far as interstate”. Hmmm… maybe we need another workshop in Byron Bay. Although it would be a long way to travel for a Port game.