Contemporary Curved Kitchen Design | SpaceCraft Joinery | Projects

BLD283896

David Verity

Sleepless in Strathalbyn: Verity & David take a chance on a dream bungalow.

Price guide*: $40K - $45K

Specifications

Carcase/Internals: 16mm Melamine high moisture resistant interiors/shelving in White by Laminex   Doors/Drawers/Panels/Kicker: Doors and drawer fronts in 2pac satin painted to match Polytec Blossom White by Redwood   Feature: Island backing 60mm Solid American Oak cladding with curve by Wood ‘n’ Doors   Feature: Solid American Oak open shelving   Drawer Hardware: BLUM Intivo Blumotion soft close drawers in White by Wilson & Bradley   Top: 20mm Caesarstone Snow with standard hotplate and undermount sink cutout by IDEAL STONE   Hardware/Wireware: BLUM Aventos KH tip on lift up doors to over heads by Wilson & Bradley   Handles: Circle notch out to base cabinetry in lieu of handles Hinges: BLUM Soft close by Wilson & Bradley   Waste Management: 2 x 20 ltr liners door mounted with soft close by Wilson & Bradley   Cutlery Inserts: BLUM Stainless steel cutlery insert by Wilson & Bradley   Oven: 45cm Combiquick microwave oven KMK761000M 594W x 567D x 455H by AEG   Cooktop: 60cm Optizone induction cooktop HK673520FB 590W x 520D x 55H by AEG    Rangehood: 54cm Integrated rangehood DGE5660HM 540W x 300D x 330H by AEG   Dishwasher: Proclean Built under dishwasher FFE72730PW 596W x 570D x 818H by AEG    Fridge:  712L French door fridge GF-5L712PL 912W x 758D x 1800H    Sink: Clark Polar double bowl undermount PPL20BU by ROUTLEYS  Tapware:  Polo NEU Sink Mixer in Chrome by ROUTLEYS    Splashback: Tile by Perrini   Flooring: Quickstep Compact Engineered Timber Planks—Pure Oak Extra matt by Choices Flooring   Lighting: LED Strip lighting to underside of overheads in warm white by Hettich   Pendant Lighting: by Beacon Lighting

*Price guide includes: cabinetry and tops. Exclusions: appliances, tiling, electrical and plumbing.

The Challenge

...the previous lean-to was not only dark, but the principal colour was a brain sapping shade of mission brown...

Some people know exactly what they want. In fact, some people are so sure of what they want, you can’t change their minds. Even when they’re wrong. That’s why people like Verity and David are such a delight to work with. At first, they weren’t at all sure of what they wanted with this project and sometimes doubted their own minds. But when they turned to our friends at Aaron Martin Construction and, through them, to SpaceCraft for the kitchen zone, they listened and took our advice, even when they weren’t sure. And, sure enough, as the project went on, their confidence blossomed, so that by the end, all their decisions and their own style inputs were proven absolutely 100% fabulous. But they had to get through a lot of sleepless nights first.

Home to Verity and David is a 1920s bungalow in Strathalbyn, where they live with their fur-child, Harry. Verity works at the Mount Barker post office and David works for SA Power Networks. The house is perfectly situated in the heart of town, backing onto the Angas River. But whilst you can’t argue with the position of their abode, its condition left a lot to be desired.

For two long years, they lived with the house as it stood whilst they saved a budget and tried to figure out exactly what they desired. At that point, the house had the classic lean-to addition at the back. Not only was it dark (according to David, you needed the lights on even during daylight hours) but the principal colour was mission brown. And, no: not in any way, shape or form was it an ironic, cool, funky use of mission brown. It was brain sapping.

It must have been with great relief, therefore, that they engaged our local builders, Aaron Martin Construction (AMC) to design and build a new extension. The design AMC came up with, however, was a sleek combination of limestone, Zincalume that was to be mounted horizontally, and recycled laminated merbau. And this was the first challenge… for Verity and David. They just weren’t sure about this bold look. But, in the end, they embraced it.

Second challenge… again, for Verity and David: as the extension progressed, it became apparent that this gorgeous back section was really let down by the old front. So, after a bit more tossing and turning, they bit the bullet, packed up and moved out while AMC gutted the lot and got on with a whole-house renovation. In truth, they were probably relieved to have finally come to this decision. And that’s an important lesson when renovating: sometimes, trying to save money can end up costing you money.

Our Solution

...a beautifully curved corner of the island bench which then links to the delightful detail of the circular notch-outs...

AMC introduced us to Verity and David for the kitchen design and installation, and for a nice change, Nathan’s design didn’t have to fit in a shoe-box or around any existing problems. He still managed to flex his mind and come up with some really nice and unique solutions for a couple who appreciated the effort and inspired him to go even further.

Perhaps the first physical feature you notice is the unusual, beautifully curved corner of the island bench. Not only does that link to an exterior limestone wall it actually inspired; a straight corner would have felt too obtrusive, cutting against the flow from the hallway into this open-plan section. But the curvature then continues into the delightful detail of the circular notch-outs in the cabinetry instead of boring old handles.

Looking up, the overhead cupboards feature Blum Aventos HK lift-up doors, one now providing the ideal hiding place for David’s ‘Gin Night’ supplies. (And if you get an invitation to this, things really are looking up.)

The colour palette plays bright white against earthy tones (a playful nod to the mission brown?). On the one hand, there’s the two-pack white door/ drawer fronts and open-shelving feature; on the other, there’s the V-groove timber panels and intricate tiles, which Verity picked out and duplicated throughout the home (a truly inspired choice, we think). Again, her earthy paint selection for the walls works beautifully, which she’s again carried over from room to room.

As Susie at AMC described it, this was nothing less than, ‘a long project, with a very long lead-time’. And while she says Verity and David really doubted their own decisions at first, they would always listen to the advice they were given and, ultimately, accepted it. In the end, however, they were the ones who pulled all the rooms together with some excellent selections. With our combined professional guidance, they have created a beautiful home and they are now thrilled with the result. And for two really lovely people, who were the perfect clients, you couldn’t wish for anything less than that. Except, maybe, an invitation to Gin Night…

Postscript.

In the photos, you’ll see a gorgeous little dog, Harry. Sadly, having lived through all the disruption of the renovations, the little fellow finally succumbed to a serious illness. As their tribute to Harry, Verity and David chose to show him exploring the new domain that he only got to enjoy for such a short time. So, whilst it may be a new kitchen, it’s already filled with love and memories. That’s why it truly is the heart of their home.

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