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How to add personality to your kitchen: 5 top tips

April 6, 2022 Leave a Comment

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Sydney’s DรฉGabriele Kitchen & Interiors have been transforming Sydney homes for over 40 years. Here, they share their top five tips for designing a truly unique kitchen.

Gone are the days when kitchens were purely utilitarian places of domestic drudgery; more than just meal preparation spaces, modern kitchens are as beautiful and unique as they are functional. The adage that the kitchen is the heart (and soul) of the home certainly rings true. The modern kitchen has evolved to serve as the central multifunctional hub within the home; it is a gathering space for family and friends, an entertaining area, and a space for sharing home-cooked meals. If only our kitchen walls could talk, what tales they would tell!ย ย 

With all the time we spend in our kitchens, it’s hardly surprising that they remain the most popular renovation space in Australian homes. A renovated kitchen that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and personal design aesthetics can breathe fresh life into an entire home. More and more homeowners are turning away from run-of-the-mill flatpack kitchens and choosing to partner with bespoke kitchen designers to capture their unique vision.

kitchen design

Balance

Just as an artist thinks about the composition of a painting, so too does a designer consider the way light plays with different textures and colours. Providing a point of contrast between materials instantly makes a space more visually interesting, whether that be matte or gloss surfaces, a marble counter set against a timber breakfast bar, or incorporating black tapware.

Previously a claustrophobic, all-white kitchen, the team at DรฉGabriele worked with this Middle Cove client to completely transform and modernise the space using a striking balance of texture and materials.

Accents/statements

Including bespoke joinery or luxe fittings such as brass faucets can work wonders in creating a striking character kitchen. You could also choose to anchor the room with a large statement piece such as dark soapstone counters, or create the illusion of extra space by using mirrored splashbacks.

White kitchen
Handcrafted Shaw sinks and English Tapware nestled in a Calcatta marble island give this Kenthurst residence kitchen the look and feel of a heritage farmhouse.

Tiling

Think of tiles as art for your kitchen. Rather than installing a plain splashback, consider incorporating a mosaic tile pattern to add warmth and a beautiful aesthetic to the space.

Lighting

Gone are the days of harsh, uniform downlights. You want to think about layering task lighting with more decorative, ambient mood lighting. Task lighting should provide the strongest illumination above the sink, cooktop and benches, while lower-hanging decorative lights, such as oversized pendants, not only create an eye-catching focal point, but also a more intimate feeling within the room.

Enmore kitchen
This Enmore new build combines eye-catching industrial pendants over the kitchen island, with pantry strip lighting and task downlighting

Keep an uncluttered space

Maintaining an uncluttered look with clear bench spaces will go a long way in preserving the personality of your kitchen and creating a calm and serene retreat. Generous hidden storage will ensure that your precious counter space remains clean and clear. Ancillary areas, such as a scullery, bar, or butlerโ€™s pantry, add a touch of luxury to any kitchen and are a godsend for large families or any dinner party host extraordinaire.

Scullery
No, thatโ€™s not Harry Potterโ€™s bedroom, but an inspired use of under stair space converted into a butlerโ€™s pantry.

For more on DรฉGabriele Kitchen & Interiors

Roxy Jacenko’s new house: a kitchen to die for!
When your life’s as crazy as Roxy Jacenko’s, it’s perhaps no surprise the PR queen likes things to be calm…
Beauty blogger’s beautiful budget green kitchen
When I saw Sharon Farrell’s DIY kitchen on Instagram I was so impressed I just had to know more! Painting…

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

Take the tour on the blog now. Via link in bio.

#neutralhome #neutralhomedecor #bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #builtinbunkbeds #skylights #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #holidayhousesofinstagram #nswsouthcoast #wollongong #wollongonghomes

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๐Ÿ“ท@the.palm.co
Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

Today's kids room roundup is full of loveliness if we don't say ourselves!

Via link in bio now.

#kidsroomstyling #kidswallpaper #playmats #feedingchair #nursingchair #nurseryroomdecor #washablerugs #washablerug #bouclechair #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
A glass shower screen is not the only option! In A glass shower screen is not the only option!

In this 80s villa reno, @trentinidesign took inspiration from an archway typical of the era and used it throughout the home.

The bathroom was transformed from a classic three-piece set up that included a shower, bath and vanity. Kathryn removed the bath and split the room in half and designed an arch to sit between the two zones. 

โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#bathroomdesignideas #bathroomtrends2023 #showerscreen #showerscreens #archways #apartmentrenovation #interiorsblogger #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno
One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
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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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