As a qualified naturopath, personal coach and holistic wellness practitioner, Kellie spends a lot of her time cooking and sharing recipes on social media to encourage her clients to eat healthier, and become happier. Her kitchen should be, therefore, not just her own happy refuge but a second office. Before now, however, all she could do was dream of the kind of decluttered kitchen she knew we could build her. You see, Kellie also happens to be a very good friend of Ellen’s. And year after year, frustratingly, she could only watch our little business grow and Nathan’s unique creations develop into national award-winners while any spare money was invested in her business.

In the meantime, Kellie and her husband, Mads, who’s originally from Denmark and a business consultant, were squirreling away all the ideas that would form a comprehensive brief to us. Or, if you like, the perfect recipe for the kitchen that would become a major part of her work and their life with daughter, Issy. In fact, it was a very clear document with pictures of examples of kitchens they loved (some of which were ours) along with what parts they wanted to emulate – or not – and why. However, they also made it clear that this was merely the starting point from which we were to create something ‘unique, unexpected and special’. In short: a very insightful brief.

Given Kellie’s personal style, Mads’s Danish birthright and the original mid-century architecture of their southern beach-side home, it seemed perfectly fitting that their kitchen brief specified a mid-century/Scandinavian influence. That meant modern, clean lines and a neutral palette. But it also had to be a warm, inviting, open space to welcome and entertain friends and family. So, they also suggested timber or a veneer finish for its warmth and, maybe, some frame detailing.

Above all, however, it had to function like a professional kitchen to allow Kellie to experiment with recipes for her clients (like the one for the detox salad she’s generously given us to share with you, below). This meant an uncluttered layout with stainless steel bench tops, lots of pantry storage and drawers, hidey-holes for appliances to keep the preparation space clear, and maximum storage for cook books, knick-knacks and pot plants. Oh, and Kellie was absolutely adamant that the island bench should remain a desert island, with no sink or other intrusion.

The only real snag was they wanted to avoid being without a kitchen through winter (and who can blame them?) so we planned everything to be installed in spring.

One of the ideas Kellie and Mads threw into the mix was pretty radical. And it was nothing to do with the style. It was to move the kitchen from its tricky position right on a boomerang kink in the middle of the house (we are talking mid-century architecture, remember) to the other end of the open-plan living space.

To their credit, they knew it was going to be an expensive decision, if Nathan picked up on it. And he did. He could see that by placing the kitchen where the lounge was, it would immediately free the flow of the home’s layout and also give direct access to a kitchen garden through a beautiful new set of double doors. To him, it was a no-brainer. But he knew the decision also had consequences. For a start, it meant the headache and pocket pain of moving all the plumbing and wiring.

However, there was one more problem that came with this solution: the repositioning meant Kellie’s much-desired walk-in pantry just wouldn’t fit. Would this be the end of a beautiful friendship? Nathan reassured her that the pantry he’d designed with pull-out inner drawers would be so much more functional than a walk-in. And, again, to her credit, Kellie put her faith in the Kitchen Whisperer.

So: how did it all work out? Well, we’re biased. But what Nathan managed to interpret from all this is one of the most serene, uncluttered, stylish and workable kitchens you’ll ever see. In fact, it’s the exact antithesis of the kitchen Kellie and Mads replaced (and which was at complete odds with the ‘bones’ of the home’s architecture).

That modernist Scandinavian influence is a great start. The Tasmanian oak on the grid-style overheads with its subtle framework detail gives just the right touch of warmth. And the black shadow line also runs across the top of the cabinets and right along the floor as the kicker panels, making the cabinetry appear to float. Adding to the streamlining, the double-bowl sink is moulded into the stainless-steel bench. But, not on the island, of course. Fuss-free and elegantly easy.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Thankfully, our relationship came through intact. Kellie says moving the kitchen to its new location was a complete game-changer that’s greatly improved how the space functions. The resulting kitchen has a much larger footprint and, importantly, feels more spacious, too. Both Kellie and Mads were ‘blown away’ by the end result, and are proud to say ‘EVERYONE’ (their emphasis) who’s visited the home has wistfully shared that it would be dream-kitchen, too. (Mental note: must drop off some business cards to Kel.)

And what about that pantry? Despite the nerves Kellie admits she still harboured after giving Nathan her blessing, she now agrees the pull-out pantry works a treat and is so much more convenient than the old walk-in ever was. Phew! In fact, she was so happy, she created this new recipe for a detox salad in her new decluttered kitchen, which she welcomes you to enjoy.

Detox salad recipe.

Serves 3 to 4 people. Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and grain-free.

Salad ingredients:
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
1⁄2 cup shredded white cabbage
3 radishes, thinly sliced
1 small fennel thinly sliced
1-2 handfuls of chopped herbs: parsley, basil, mint & coriander
1⁄4 cup toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds
1⁄2 cup of broccoli florets, thinly sliced
125 g of sweetcorn kernels
100 g of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup rocket
1 small grated carrot
1⁄4 cup toasted walnuts
2 spring onion sprigs, thinly sliced whites and most of the green tops.

Dressing ingredients:
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Juice of 1⁄2 lemon
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon tahini
2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Add all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl and gently toss to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk all of the dressing ingredients together and season to taste. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss a few more times to mix through the salad thoroughly. Serve and enjoy.