Before + After: A Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Transformation
Interiors
The owners fell in love with stainless-steel benchtops at their own workplaces.
Owner Fotios enjoying the new space. Custom timber wave cabinet handles by Neighbours Workshop, an antique furniture restoration service in Kensington, SA.
Creating a new kitchen that looked as though it had always been there was a key component of Fotios and Gina’s design brief for SpaceCraft Joinery.
The couple wanted a contemporary kitchen that still honoured the legacy of the mid-century modern pad, which was originally built by Gina’s parents.
‘The clients came to us wanting more space, storage and light,’ SpaceCraft designer Sarah Katsaros says. ‘As they are a family of four, a functional kitchen with plenty of storage and bench areas for all members of the family to work at was required.’
Sarah and her team worked to transform the small, outdated kitchen — enclosed by a partition wall — into an open and inviting space that speaks to the architectural era of the home.
Sarah says, ‘I instantly knew that I wanted to incorporate natural timber products to the design and offset them with a tonal depth from hints of green and a softness from a white tone.’
The cabinetry is solid Blackwood timber, adding texture and warmth to the kitchen alongside the stainless-steel bench tops, whilst a green Zellige-style tiled splashback serves as a pop of colour.
‘The clients had mentioned their admiration of the resilience of stainless-steel bench tops after using them in their workplaces, so we sought to incorporate this into the design for the work benches,’ says Sarah.
A sleek Dekton benchtop was also added in place of the old partition to create an additional dining and entertaining surface, or breakfast bar. Plus, custom wave handles crafted in Blackwood timber by Neighbours Workshop create a statement cabinetry detail that helps to tie the mid-century aesthetic together.
‘This project was a dream,’ Sarah adds. ‘I love how much the clients love the space and how well the kitchen just fits into their home and style.’
She notes how the renovation has improved Fotios, Gina and their children’s lives entirely, as the whole family now has room to work and co-exist within the new space.
‘The clients have told us that the new kitchen is harmonious with the existing space and complimentary in design,’ says Sarah. ‘The functionality of space was vastly improved — everything feels natural and a pleasure to use.’