4 minute read
this kitchen basks in coastal style
27 Dream it Awash with charmPractical makeover Savvy interior stylist Katy Thomas embraced the challenge to transform her laundry into a stylish, functional space on a tight budget
When interior stylist Katy Thomas and her husband Hugh bought their home on the Victorian south coast, they were keen to put their own stamp on it. Having changed all the flooring KATY THOMAS and given the walls a fresh coat of @katythomasstudio white, Katy planned to continue their soft coastal look into the laundry. “It had no bench space, no practical storage and the open wire shelves were a mess. I’d just shut the door and didn’t want to go in there,” she recalls.
Katy tracked down a budget-friendly combination of materials to create the look she was after. “I started researching products at Bunnings, created a wish list online and everything I wanted came in under $1,300,” she explains. Key features included a timber benchtop and open shelves, flatpack cabinetry, a panel splashback and black hardware, against a serene backdrop of white and grey.
Apart from enlisting a plumber and electrician, Katy and Hugh completed the makeover themselves in a week and a half, diligently painting and putting together cabinetry, often after their three young daughters had gone to bed.
Laundry upgrade cost Approx $1,300
Shelf life
110mm x 32mm x 2.4mm Tasmanian oak DAR timber, $90, I/N: 0073153•
Katy Thomas interior stylist
Before
Bedford 900mm 2 door high moisture resistant wall cabinet in White, $118, I/N: 0028636, and 884mm x 604mm x 604mm 2 door high moisture resistant base cabinet in White, $163, I/N: 2666631. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Style tip
Interior wall linings can work well in a laundry, but make sure you choose waterproof linings for heavy-duty wet areas Mondella ‘Resonance’ single bowl round stainless steel sink, $117, I/N: 5090441, and pin lever bath set in Matte Black, $106, I/N: 5004184. Lane 45mm round timber knobs in Black, $5 each, I/N: 0135456, and 76mm round timber knobs in Black, $8.70 each, I/N: 0135457
Katy is thrilled with the result and says she has never enjoyed doing laundry more. “It’s a calm space and incredibly functional,” she reflects. “Because we did it ourselves, it was extremely satisfying.”
Textural timber Rather than pick a custom-made benchtop to go above the washer and dryer, Katy browsed the timber section and picked out a Tasmanian oak panel. “It was a bargain at $79,” says Katy, who enlisted Hugh to cut a hole in one end to fit a Mondella sink. To ensure it stood up to the rigours of a wet
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Bespoke flatpack Bedford flatpack cabinets were a quick, affordable storage solution that hid all the clutter from the open shelves behind closed doors. Each of the cabinet doors came with two pre-drilled holes and chrome handles, but Katy personalised the “I could visualise the beautiful end result I wanted, so I worked backwards researching doors with statement 76mm black timber knobs, teamed with smaller 45mm versions for a striking feature, which complements the Mondella lever tap set, also in black. all the elements I’d need to achieve the look” Serene palette The palette features Tasmanian oak for Katy Thomas interior stylist warmth and character, with paint in white and grey. “The first step was painting the walls in area, the bench was sealed with a clear Dulux Vivid White,” Katy says. For contrast, matt varnish (try Feast Watson ‘Satin Clear’ the panels on the splashback were painted weatherproof varnish). In keeping with the natural and textural look, Tasmanian oak DAR timber forms open shelving. in Dulux Aquanamel in Highgate. “It is subtle, but breaks up the wall beautifully and looks great against the timber.” ◆ 1 Bedford 1200mm x 597mm x 82mm high moisture resistant airer cabinet in White, $154, I/N: 0067677. 2 Mondella ‘Resonance’ 5-star 6L/min pin side lever sink mixer in Matte Black, $144, I/N: 0134810. 3 Easycraft ‘EasyVJ’ 2400mm x 1200mm x 9mm primed wet area panel, $150, I/N: 0166124†. 4 Mondella ‘Rococo’ single bowl sink in Black, $428, I/N: 0165963. 5 Hafele 60mm x 28mm cabinet knob in Matt Black, $9, I/N: 0165770. 6 110mm x 19mm x 1.8m dressed all round DAR select grade Tasmanian oak, $26, I/N: 0070358•. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Washday wish list 6 5 Paint colours may vary on application. • Timbers vary by state and territory; contact your local store for further information. †Available to order online or at the Special Orders Desk.
