We are proud to announce that Smart Kitchen was a finalist in the recent Cabinet Makers and Designers Association Awards, 2017. The award was presented at the Annual Awards night held at the Barbados Cricket Ground on the 18th of August 2017. The event was attended by some of the biggest and most well-known kitchen designers and suppliers in Australia.
Designed by Nita Thomas, the finalists award was for a contemporary kitchen in a traditional Edwardian style home in Thornbury, creating a perfect transition from old to new. Not only did Nita’s design meet every requirement in the client’s brief, Smart Kitchen , which is famous for the quality of its flat pack kitchens, executed the design with the highest degree of workmanship and finish. All in under $15,000.
The Design Brief:
The architecture of the home was Edwardian, but the kitchen was designed for a family of four with young children. The client therefore wanted:
- A modern kitchen to complement the lifestyle of the family, especially the kids.
- An open plan integrated into the living and dining areas and connected to the courtyard in a seamless flow.
- Lots of space for storage, preparation, cooking and still enough space at the island bench where children could do their homework.
- An easy-entertaining space for family and friends
- A layout that transitioned smoothly from the old part of the house to the new.
This project was not about simply putting in a new kitchen. It was about renovating, reviving and infusing the space with a fresh, modern and highly functional look this family was after. As is the case with so many families with young children, it was to be the family hangout after work and school – parent’s cooking, the kids doing homework, lots of chatter, everyone sharing their day. The connection to other areas of the home – the study/office, the living and dining areas and the outdoor – it all had to be unified in one design.
Here’s a look at what the Smart Kitchen team delivered in under $15,000:
The key design components that worked so well to create a great outcome:
- The large island bench was carefully designed for maximum use. The indent underneath one side to put bar stools created the perfect study areas for the kids who could be watched over by parents from the nearby office and living areas. The rest of the space was used to put in additional cabinetry.
- Milano high-gloss white kitchen cabinetry created a very modern look, while giving the space a fresh, clean look. The reflective surface added light to the room, creating a further illusion of space.
- The Excel Sublime teak doors on the pantry and front of island bench not only provided lots of additional storage but also created a visual contrast, extending the contemporary design. More importantly, the timber finish provided the perfect visual transition to the living areas of the home, which are just off the kitchen. This is a key design brief from the owners.
- Large pot drawers provided appropriate storage for the cooking needs of the family.
- The slimline handles were perfectly suited to the style of this kitchen.
- The marble tiling added a touch of luxury, despite being a budget kitchen.
- An extra wide cavity for a large refrigerator met the family’s need for more food storage.
- The overhead cabinetry created space for less frequently used items, reducing clutter in the kitchen.
- The white sheen kickers completed the look.
The challenges overcome:
The site was an older style home with narrow entry. This created an access challenge for the wide benchtop. However, our experienced tradespeople and the benchtop supplier worked around this. With the help of the stone fabricator they could create additional support enabling them to lift the heavy benchtop to the installation spot.
This project was delivered on time and budget within two months of placing the order.