NZ Renovation Trends NZ Renovation Trends Vol. 30/11 | Page 66

Positive change In this remodel, rustic cabinetry was replaced by a clean-lined design with a strong urban undercurrent Preceding pages: Sleek, streamlined and uncluttered – this remodelled kitchen is everything the former Mediterranean-style kitchen wasn’t. The new kitchen has not only introduced a calmer aesthetic, but also tripled the storage space. Right: The large island provides ample room for several bar stools. The sink is set lower that the main benchtop, which helps to conceal kitchen clutter. 64 Compromises are often made when you buy a property, but accentuating the positive and changing the negative can give you the home you always wanted. The owners of this house loved the open, flowing layout of the interior, but they weren’t keen on the heavy, traditional Mediterraneanstyle cabinetry in the kitchen, says designer Krista Watterworth Alterman. “The existing kitchen was also small, lacked the required functionality, and there was no sense of symmetry,” she says. “And even though large windows frame the room, it felt like a dark, cluttered space.” Alterman says her clients wanted a postmodern look, without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen needed to be fresh, vibrant and contemporary, and have plenty of storage. Alterman’s solution was to utilise every inch of space to make the kitchen larger. A multifunctional island was introduced, providing a generous work space, casual dining area and a place for family and friends to gather and socialise. “We chose dark-stained sapele wood for the cabinetry, so the rest of the palette is light and airy,” says the designer. “The doors are sleek and clean lined, as are the benchtops. Those on the perimeter feature low-maintenance engineered stone, but for the island we chose a stained concrete top, which provides the urban undercurrent the owners desired.” Alterman says the main challenge was marrying the traditional elements of the home with the contemporary furniture and cabinetry. “I love to wed rustic with minimalist. The bar stools, for example, have a traditional form, but with contemporary oversized chrome nail heads.” Storage has tripled with the new cabinets. There are custom drawer inserts for the clients’ collections of cutlery, glassware and ceramics. search | save | share at trendsideas.com