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Before & after makeover: Kitchen from 90s to chic white

By Amy Collins-Walker โ€ข 2 Comments

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Todayโ€™s very impressive before and after is brought to us by Sarah Nolen of Birdblack Design who transformed a dark, heavy timber, 1990’s kitchen into a light-filled entertainersโ€™ delight that is perfectly suited to the busy Wollongong family it serves.

BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER The new bright, white kitchen is unrecognisable!

โ€œThis family loves to entertain so they needed a kitchen that would tailor itself to both daily family life as well as catering for large crowds,โ€ says Sarah of the new open-plan design that features plenty of bench space, storage, wide walkways, display shelving and room for a super wide fridge.

โ€œThis kitchen renovation took the dark into the light. The existing kitchen was heavy to look at with timber cabinets and black granite bench tops. We freshened the appearance with a palette of white and soft greys,โ€ says Sarah. Oak timber shelves and flooring help to soften the white and create a cosy entertaining hub at the same time.

AFTER
AFTER Timber touches imbue the space with warmth

Aside from freshening up the palette Sarah tweaked the layout of this kitchen, entirely opening up the space โ€“ not the easiest task given there was a structural post right in the centre of the room. โ€œInstead of leaving it looking like an eyesore, we were able to intentionally design around it so that it looks like it is a part of the new island bench,โ€ says Sarah who mirrored the existing post and designed an open shelving unit and buffet unit around the new structure. This is a clever response to what is a common problem and the end result really paid off.

BEFORE
BEFORE Given that post was structural, it unfortunately had to stay
AFTER Sarah's clever solution to the structural post!
AFTER Sarah’s clever solution to the structural post created more storage and display shelves

Instead of an L-shaped design the new kitchen features an island bench that makes it easier to access while helping to further open up the space. And perhaps my favourite feature of the design, Sarah also designed a full walk-in pantry concealed behind a seamless, hidden door. Genius!

AFTER The hidden door reveals a walk-in pantry behind
AFTER The hidden door beside the oven reveals a walk-in pantry behind

For more on Birdblack Design | The ultimate guide to buying a fridge

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August 7, 2019

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How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaideโ€™s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the homeโ€™s original, period features. 

Designed by the homeโ€™s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we Maybe it's an antidote to the grey weather but we find some of the most colourful interiors from my motherland, the UK!

This beautiful lilac kitchen is found in a renovated apartment by @llidesign in a grand mansion block in London's Bloomsbury. You can tour the rest of it on the blog now, via link in bio.

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I remember the chair being such a key purchase whe I remember the chair being such a key purchase when I put together my first ever baby room for Seb. I spent many an evening relaxing on mine while pregnant as I tried to get my head around impending motherhood! Not only are glider recliners like the Chelsea fromย @iltuttoย the most comfortable chairs EVER for those many hours spent feeding and settling, why shouldn't they look this good too, am I right?!

Did you love your nursery chair? Did it look this good?!

See more on the Il Tutto Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair via link in bio now.

#feedingchair #nurserychair #nursingchair #reclinerchair #nurseryroomdecor #nursery #nurserygoals #nurserydesign #babyroomdecoration #babyrooms #babyroominspo #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #iltutto #newmumlife
Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room Here's a sneak peek of the kitchen and powder room to whet your appetite! 

Head on over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest of this gorgeous Sydney reno by @_studio_trio 

Pix by @mareehomer.photography and styling by Jackie Brown.

#interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno #housetour #australianhomes #australianhouses #sydneyhomes #sydneyhouses #texturedtiles #kitchenshelfie #kitchenshelves #kitchenshelf #powderroomdesign #powderroomwallpaper #studiotrio #kitchenhooks
There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's lates There's a LOT of goodness in @sageandclare's latest collection Marguerite but the Aida rug has to be my personal fave.

Handcrafted from wool, it features a rustic check design with a rainbow of nostalgic colour. Embroidered edge stitching furthers its handcrafted feel. 

โ€œThis is pure colour joy bundled up in a hard-wearing and happy rug that will lift any room with ease," says creative director Phoebe Bell.

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see more, including Phoebe's 5 faves.

#sageandclare #rugshopping #rainbowrug #tartanrug #checkeredrug #flatweaverugs #statementrug #handcraftedhomedecor #handcraftedhomewares #funhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $120 A DIY dining nook bench seat with storage for $1200!

After 4 years of saying โ€œa dining nook would be great thereโ€ฆโ€ South Australians @the_groves_abode finally got a quote from a local cabinet maker for a built-in bench seat with storage. When the $4,000 price tag was revealed, criminologist, chronic over-achiever and wannabe carpenter Andrew decided to have a crack at it instead.

And we're so impressed with the end result which cost just over a grand. Read what they did, what they used and how in the blog now, via link in bio.

#diningnook #benchseat #benchseating #builtinbench #upholsteredbench #diybench #diycouple #budgetdiy #bunningsdiy #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #realreno #diningroomideas #breakfastnook #breakfastnookdesign #homediyproject
Mess = stress! Today on the blog, @little_label_c Mess = stress!

Today on the blog, @little_label_co founder Natalie Manoushian is sharing her top tips for a more organised home. I'd love you to share your best tips in the comments too!

"Disorganisation puts barriers in the way. Imagine how much quicker you would get things done if your home or work space ran smoothly. Researchers have found that clutter can actually make it more difficult to focus on a particular task. From the frustration of not being able to find what we need, to the feeling of being constantly surrounded by chaos, a disorganised environment creates brain fog and can lead to procrastination and reduces productivity. It can also trigger feelings of stress and anxiety, making it difficult to switch off, relax and sleep well."

Read the full post via link in bio now 

#littlelabelco #labelling #labellingeverything #homeorganisation #homeorganizationtips #homeorganising #homeorganisation #organisationtips #tidyingtips #homehack #storagegoals #pantrymakeover #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #cupboardstorage
Swipe for before ๐Ÿ˜ฒ @adoremagazine's Loni Parke Swipe for before ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

@adoremagazine's Loni Parker and her partner are stuck into their second home reno and it's looking great! Today, we bring you the before and afters of the main bedroom, guest bedroom and ensuite (pictured). Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest and more info on what they did and used.

Enjoy!

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #adorehome #adorehomemagazine #1960shouse
#1960shome #60srenovation #ensuitebathroom
#ensuite #ensuitedesign #kitkattiles #doublevanity #theinteriorsdaddict
#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #curvedvanity #timbervanity

Pix by @coastpark.creative
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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarRhon MacD says

    August 12, 2019 at 10:11 am

    My kitchen is exactly that same shape and has floored design similarities. Being it is a heavy yellow mustard scheme of a BELLEVALE house and land package with a structural second storey post/column of 2001. Mine too feels hemmed in and does not allow free flow in the kitchen space. Thank you this has given me ideas to open it up, with white and possibly a skylight too for winter brightness. I also want to incorporate a walk in pantry instead of the dark unlit corner one next to the oven. I like the expanded wall around the post, i was thinking a bar around the post but this also looks sleek and well designed for display and storage. Where did the AC outlets go as i also have the same round ones on my ceiling in these areas?? And my lighting is poor with one overhead in kitchen and dining area near to windows. Congratulations. Sink would need to move as in this remodel. Much food for thought….any ideas on cost?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      August 12, 2019 at 1:51 pm

      So happy you found it so useful! Unfortunately we don’t have the info on cost but you could contact the designer and ask. Her details are at the end. Jen

      Reply

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