recipes that taste like home
I’m excited to share our incredible kitchen renovation journey with you. I truly believe that the heart of a home lies in its kitchen and white just didn’t reflect us. Anyone who knows me knows that all-white-everything is not my vibe! Our kitchen used to be a stark, uninspiring space with no character, but thanks to a recent transformation, it has become a rich and luxurious culinary haven that is warm and welcoming.
The Blank Slate: Our Old Kitchen
Our kitchen story began with a blank canvas. Our previous kitchen was a typical white-on-white affair with basic appliances. While it was mostly functional, it lacked personality and warmth. As someone who loves to cook and share delicious meals, I craved a space that would inspire creativity and comfort so it was time for a change.
Choosing the Perfect Palette
The first step in our renovation journey was selecting a colour scheme that would infuse life into our kitchen. A kitchen renovation is a big undertaking and we didn’t want to get things wrong so we actually consulted with an interior designer to assist us with our colour and finish selections. After a few ideas that were put forward, we settled on a stunning dark green with a striking marbled countertop and handmade leather pulls with patinated brass rods to match our new tapware as well. These colour choices added a touch of opulence and sophistication, instantly transforming the space from ordinary to extraordinary.
Wall colour: Haymes ‘Fuzzy’
Cabinetry colour: Dulux ‘Banksia Leaf’
Tapware: Pegasi M Sink Mixer Square Pull Out in (-84) Antique Brass Light
Sink: Fontaine Industries White Ontario Extra Large Granite Kitchen Sink
NEFF Appliances: The Heart of the Kitchen
No kitchen renovation is complete without upgrading the appliances, and we went all-in with NEFF. These state-of-the-art German engineered appliances come with a 4 year warranty for my peace of mind and have been a dedicated cooking brand since 1877 so they know what they’re doing! I think they were the perfect choice for us as they not only look stunning in our new kitchen but also provide everything I need to be creative with my recipes and cooking in the kitchen. Here’s what we added:
1. NEFF Pyrolytic Added Steam Oven –
This gem of an appliance combines the best of both worlds – the magic of cooking with added steam and CircoTherm® to attain perfect results every time and the convenience of pyrolytic self-cleaning without any toxic chemicals. But my favourite feature of the oven is the Slide&hide® disappearing oven door that allows safety and easy transfer of items in and out of the oven.
2. NEFF Induction Cooktop –
Cooking has never been more efficient and precise with this cutting-edge induction cooktop. It’s a game-changer for those who, like me, love to experiment with culinary delights and cook at home multiple times a day. I also cannot get over how easy cleaning this cooktop is! Gone are the days of me scrubbing stainless steel ridges and baked on food. All this requires is a spray and wipe no matter what you spill!
3. Fully Integrated Dishwasher –
A sleek and discreet addition that keeps the kitchen clutter-free while handling the toughest of cleaning tasks, this fully integrated dishwasher fits seamlessly with my cabinetry and comes with an extra flexible basket for odd shaped mugs or utensils.
4. Integrated Rangehood –
Not only does it keep our kitchen fresh and smoke-free, but it also adds a modern touch to the overall design. My NEFF rangehood is super quiet and extremely energy efficient for a relaxed cooking session, every time.
The Profiled Doors: Adding Elegance
To enhance the luxurious feel, we opted for profiled cabinet doors. These doors feature shaker-like detailing but in a modern configuration making it a timeless choice. I’ve found that they not only look beautiful but also provide a tactile, textured element that makes it feel really elevated. We also have a huge island bench that wasn’t making the most of the space so we decided to take away half of the ‘sitting’ area, minimising the under bench seating from ~5-6 seats to 3, which is more suitable for us as a household of 2. Our amazing cabinet maker was able to then create three additional cupboards with this space using invisible push-to-open ‘handles’ to maintain the sleek look we were after.
Doors: Polytec ‘Ascot’ Profile doors
Handles: Made Measure Leather Recessed Pulls in Saddle Tan with Brass Core and Matching Edge
Cabinetmaker: Vision Fitout Interiors
A Sturdy Foundation: Porcelain Bench Top
The choice of a hardy porcelain bench top was an easy one. It not only adds durability but also contributes to the chic and sleek look we were aiming for. Its smooth, matte finish complements the dark green cabinetry beautifully, creating a harmonious blend of form and function. And it’s one of the only countertops that can have hot pots placed directly on it without causing any damage and it’s virtually impossible to stain – unlike our previous stone bench top. This was probably the easiest choice we made!
Benchtop: Stone Ambassador Vasari ‘Super White’ Porcelain
4. Bringing It All Together
Our kitchen transformation genuinely changed the entire way our whole house feels and when people come over, I’m proud to show them a kitchen that reflects us – warm, welcoming, generous and fun. The rich, luxurious dark green paired with profiled doors and the durable porcelain bench top created a space that feels both inviting and sophisticated. With NEFF appliances as the stars of the show, our kitchen is now the ideal setting for culinary adventures and sharing delicious meals with friends and family.
In conclusion, a kitchen renovation is not just about aesthetics but also about creating an environment where your passion for cooking can flourish. We’re thrilled with the results, and I can’t wait to whip up new recipes and share them with you all from our newly renovated, stunning kitchen.
Thanks for joining me on this journey, and stay tuned for more delicious creations from my little kitchen to yours!