FARM FRESH

A TIRED KITCHEN HAS BECOME A BAKER’S DELIGHT, THANKS TO THE BUNNINGS MAKE IT HAPPEN TEAM

Words KYLIE JACKES Photography PAUL JOHNSTONE Styling SHARON BEGG

Before

SAFETY TIP ALWAYS USE LICENSED TRADES FOR PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL WORKS

ABOVE Cabinetry painted with Dulux ‘Renovation Range’ cabinet doors satin paint in Tauherenikau, $89/2L, I/N: 0116477. Knobs, for similar try Sylvan ‘Selden’ 33mm knobs in Brushed Brass, $33/pack of 6, I/N: 0154835. Oven, for similar try Bellini 65L 5 function oven in Silver, $358, I/N: 0013226. Everdure 90cm stainless steel canopy rangehood, $379, I/N: 0147024. Window frames painted with Dulux ‘Aquanamel Semi Gloss’ extra bright base paint in Rawene, $54.50/1L, I/N: 0279870. Cooktop, for similar try Blanco 90cm gas cooktop, $799, I/N: 0094430†. Benchtop, for similar try Kaboodle 36mm customisable laminate benchtop in ‘Calcutta Gloss’†. Sink, for similar try Sinx ‘Noir’ 1000mm granite 1½ bowl 1 drainer composite sink in Black, $388, I/N: 0298400. Verve Design ‘Dome’ metal pendant lights in Black and Gold, $52.50 each, I/N: 0248656. All globes sold separately. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. 

Upcycled existing shelf mounted on Carinya 150mm x 130mm x 20mm x 15mm pine stayed brackets in White, $9.19 each, I/N: 0091707. Dishwasher, for similar try Parmco ‘Economy’ WELS 3-star, 118/L 600mm freestanding dishwasher in Stainless Steel, $860, I/N: 0197930†

Dulux Tauherenikau

Keen cook Virginia loves baking. But her old kitchen? Not so much. “We’d never had a rangehood, I needed more storage and I was over the timber cabinet doors my husband, Andrew, had made when we bought the house 15 years ago,” she says. “I thought they just needed to go.” But Make It Happen host and renovation expert Lucy Glade-Wright of Hunting for George (huntingforgeorge.com) had other ideas. “Virginia loved the charm of a farmhouse look, so we wanted to bring in that character and give it a modern touch,” explains Lucy. “This tied in perfectly with updating the existing timber cabinet doors which, although dated, were in good condition.”

The country scheme also forged a link with existing furniture in the adjacent dining area, including a timber table and hutch that Virginia had owned for many years. “The kitchen had a good layout and solid bones, so it was a matter of determining what needed to be replaced and what could be refreshed with paint,” explains Lucy.

Sink mixer, for similar try Aquatica ‘Metalique’ WELS 3 star 9L/min gooseneck sink mixer in Bronze, $269, I/N: 0207862†

Green thinking

A new colour scheme creates cohesion between the kitchen and adjoining dining space. “People can be scared of using colour, but it is an incredibly effective way to enhance the mood and proportions of a space,” says Lucy, who chose soft green Dulux Tauherenikau for cabinetry, teamed with warm Dulux Cardrona on the walls and Rawene to define window trims.

H omeowner Virginia (lef )

with Lucy Glade-Wright

In the black

Bold accents pepper the space. “Black really grounds the scheme and can give a farmhouse kitchen a modern edge, so we introduced it through feature pendants and wall lights, as well as a black sink,” says Lucy. “People think you have to match your sink and tapware finish, but mixing a black sink with a brushed brass tap adds a little quirk and character.”

Modern touch

The room’s dated tiles and dreary work surface were replaced with contemporary white mosaics for the splashback, and distinctive marble-look Kaboodle benchtops.

“My number one tip for splashbacks is to tile from the benchtop to the ceiling if you can,” says Lucy. “It always amplifies the sense of space.”

Conceal and display

As an avid baker, Virginia needed abundant storage for supplies and bakeware. Several extra cupboards were added to boost capacity, yet one of the biggest improvements was reorganising the existing pantry. Dry goods were decanted into stackable containers, tiered shelf inserts added layers, and lower shelves were replaced with pull-out baskets, which allow for easy access to bulkier items. Removing shelves alongside the oven, in favour of a floor-to-ceiling cabinet, has also allowed small appliances to be kept out of sight. A few new open shelves have been installed to display greenery and treasured pieces.

Final flourish

A couple of furniture updates completed the refresh. For Lucy, the key piece tying the makeover together was the newly painted timber hutch that carried the Dulux Tauherenikau hue through to the dining area. “Updating it with contemporary brass knobs to match the kitchen cabinetry was a lovely finishing touch,” she adds.

The dining table also benefited from some TLC. After it was sanded, the base was painted with Dulux Cardrona, while the beauty of the timber top was accentuated with a coat of clear varnish. Virginia admits she was blown away by the impact.

The reorganised pantry makes the most of the available storage space

MAKE IT! SEE PAGE 58

BELOW LEFT Spice racks, for similar try LTW 390mm spice racks in White, $7.90 each, I/N: 0558606. Ezy Storage ‘Brickor’ long trays, $3.16 each, I/N: 2583803. Hills foldable bamboo laundry baskets in Smoke, $34.98 each, I/N: 0013628. Flexi Storage 185mm 2 runner mesh baskets in White, $28 each, I/N: 2590165, and 285mm 3 runner mesh baskets in White, $35 each, I/N: 2590166. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

A good sand and a coating of Cabot’s ‘Cabothane Clear’ brought out the lovely woodgrain in the top of Virginia’s table

“Painting the pieces was so simple but so effective – I thought my dining table was new!” she says.

Beyond thrilled with the fresh look and improved functionality, Virginia says she now spends even more time in the kitchen. “I wanted it to be a warm and inviting heart of the home, and that’s exactly what it is,” she says. “I just love it. When people visit for the first time after the transformation, the first thing they say is, ‘Wow’!”◆

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Tune into episode 5 of Make It Happen to see how Virginia’s kitchen was transformed:

youtube.com/bunningswarehouse