Now that we’re done, Tim and Lisa are thinking of starting up a Brunch Club. We’re imagining something just as cool as The Breakfast Club but with a little less argy-bargy. Lots of good food, a killer soundtrack, and cuddles with Franklin, the gorgeous Golden Retriever.

When they approached us, they were after a rejuvenated space where they could mix drinks, listen to music, entertain friends, and experiment with new recipes.

Lisa is a senior leader in the disability support sector, and Tim’s written software that you’ve likely used to pay a water bill or report a faulty streetlight. So, they both know a thing or two about getting things right.

It was Lisa’s addiction to magazines that helped them find us. A kindred spirit, she spotted our superior craftsmanship and leanings towards a mid-century modern style.

On their wish list: a kitchen with a warm mid-century soul, to vibe with their existing MCM furniture. Lived in yet refined, with surfaces tough enough for everyday life.

They weren’t shy about wanting extra storage, either, but it had to be tucked away, cleverly hidden so the space still felt open and light.

Tim and Lisa have both loved design and architecture since childhood. Naturally, they came to the table with strong ideas. They dreamed of a wet bar, a layout that flowed effortlessly, and wanted the kitchen to feel like it had always belonged in their home of 20 years.

Items we needed to complement included a wonderful artwork created as an ode to Tim’s dearly departed mum, and a series of beautiful blown glass pieces by Melbourne artist, Amanda Dziedzic, of Hot Haus.

Nathan, our Design Director, got his cogs turning.

Nathan started with a small but significant detail – the Cats Eye Handle from Auburn Woodturning. Inspired by one of their existing pieces of furniture, it became the quiet handshake between the kitchen and the rest of the house. The timber veneer fronts were stained to match, with Tim and Lisa personally road-testing polish samples at the shop to make sure the tone was just right.

They’d already fallen for a kit-kat tile, and it quickly became the life of the party, wrapping the splashback and the back of the island with that subtle, mid-century texture. The new windows and flooring helped the whole space breathe, while FSC-certified veneer kept things sustainable.

The quartzite benchtops travelled from interstate. Knowing their delicacy, Tim and Lisa sourced extra slabs to protect their investment. It was all worth it. Their pink hue set the tone for the rest of the colour palette, and Tim and Lisa love them.

The project wasn’t without its plot twists. Tim and Lisa had pre-selected their appliances, including the non-negotiable ice maker, which meant we had to dance around fixed dimensions.

At check measure stage, Nathan had to find creative ways to meet the old structure with the new, like removing existing structural walls and rethinking the joinery layout.

As usual, he came out on top. From the ovens in the kitchen, which are slotted perfectly into position amid the timberwork, to the dishwasher that’s barely detectable behind its cover, and the glass-fronted fridge with a timber frame that looks like it existed there all along.

A clever combination of open and closed shelving – some overhead and some on curvy corners – leaves plenty of options for displaying important items, like bespoke glassware!

Nathan hid extra storage behind the speaker joinery wall, out of sight but within easy reach. And because drooping green foliage from overhead is better than staring at structured steel, he created an elevated garden that ties everything together – concealed beams for planter boxes. To quote our happy clients, “It’s a real wow factor architectural feature”.

Asked if they can nominate the part of their new design they can’t live without, Tim and Lisa’s response was: Is it okay to say everything? Nathan’s still purring like the proverbial cat.

This was collaboration at its best – Tim and Lisa brought research, energy, and a love of the details, and Nathan shaped a space that’s warm, functional, and mid-century funky.