the elements and show off the grain

Before

Budget kitchen renovation

Beach break

Just a weekend of work has given this kitchen a fresh slice of coastal style

TAMMY homeowner

The honey tones of Tasmanian oak dowel and bamboo lend an organic softness to the white cabinetry. See page 25 for product details No sooner had the removalist van pulled out from the driveway of her new, north Queensland home, than Tammy started hatching plans to reimagine the dark brown kitchen. “In its original state, the kitchen was dated and just sucked all the energy from the room,” she says. Yet, with a busy career and home life – Tammy is mum to eight-year-old Sophia – her renovation dreams were put on the backburner, until the pandemic suddenly provided both the time and opportunity to make them a reality.

Calling on the expertise of her father, a retired tiler and enthusiastic handyman, Tammy launched into a whirlwind kitchen makeover. “I am fortunate to have Dad who is very particular about workmanship and has always loved working with timber,” she says. “When I asked him if he could do what I had in mind, he said ‘Yes’ without a second’s hesitation. And I can’t forget Mum, who also turned up to help, making all the coffees and meals while we worked!”

Tammy approached the reno with both resourcefulness and a focus on sustainability. She retained the primary elements of the kitchen, such as the layout, cabinetry and appliances, and concentrated on cosmetic changes with paint and lighting. “If COVID has taught us anything, it’s going back to basics,” she says. “You really do get more value and there is a feeling of satisfaction from using what you already have.” 

Taubmans Miss Universe

Just add texture While white paint filled the kitchen with light, the timber dowel feature wall on the island bench gave the room warmth and texture, and captured the beachy look Tammy loves. Inspired by the kitchen in the Bunnings video series, Make It Yours, Tammy and her father set about transforming the front of the island bench with Tasmanian oak half round dowel, cut to size. “I am so lucky that Dad could manage this process and the result is just gorgeous,” says Tammy.

Refinished island bench

Pop of white The brown laminate disappeared under new white paint. The key to the success of the project, says Tammy, was a painstaking approach to preparation. “This was by far the most important and labour-intensive part of the entire process,” she recalls. “Fortunately, Dad has lots of experience and knew that for the effect I was looking for, we had to take time and do the extra steps. What can I say, he’s a perfectionist!

“In short, you have to clean the surface really well before sandpapering, priming and then sandpapering again,” she explains. “I am just so happy with the results and glad we took the time to prepare well.” Tammy used White Knight tile and laminate primer and paint, tinted to a Taubmans colour called Miss Universe. The cupboard above the stove, which was in a different timber-look laminate, was left as is to create a pleasing contrast.

“You want to feel happy when you walk into your home, and that is exactly how I feel”

Tammy homeowner

Rattan pendants

Original benchtop

More in store Though perfectly functional as it was, you can never have too much storage – and the repainted cabinetry was much easier to match with an off-the-shelf cupboard! A new Kaboodle pantry provides extra shelf space, as well as a greater sense of balance and symmetry to the kitchen’s configuration.

Above and opposite: Kaboodle Kitchen 600mm pantry cabinet, $284, I/N: 2662279, and 600mm ‘Modern’ profile pantry door in Gloss White, $162, I/N: 2664909. White cabinets painted with White Knight ‘Renew’ tile & laminate primer, $55.50/1L, I/N: 0197362, and satin tile & laminate paint in White, $57/1L, I/N: 0197788, tinted to Taubmans Miss Universe. Kitchen island clad in Porta 2.4m x 30mm x 12mm Tasmanian oak half round dowel moulding, $18 each, I/N: 0084210• . Tea towels, cookbooks, boards, canisters, tableware and bar stools, Kmart, kmart.com.au. Espresso maker, Robins Kitchen, robinskitchen.com.au. Flowers, Botanic Republic, botanicrepublic.com.au. Kokedamas and water plant, The String Garden, thestringgarden.com.au. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Lighten up The rule of three is a fail-safe styling tip, as shown by a trio of bamboo pendants; Tammy enlisted the help of a sparkie to replace the original plain oyster ones. Eye-catching and affordable, the pendants add subtle texture while casting interesting shadows for a little night-time drama. ◆

Read it! Find out how to create your own dowel feature: bunnings.com.au/diy-dowel-feature