By rejigging the layout, Laura Zireva has created a more sociable kitchen with added storage
Feature MANDI MILLAR Photography FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RECONFIGURATION
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH YOUR ORIGINAL KITCHEN?
We’re a family that loves to have everyone over for dinner, but the existing layout of the kitchen just didn’t allow us to do that, mainly because the dining area was in a different space. The kitchen we inherited with the house was relatively new and in good condition, but unfortunately it just wasn’t our style at all, and the existing peninsular unit just wasn’t going to work for our family as we wanted an island as a focal point. Changing the layout allowed us to incorporate this and so much more – all better suited to the way we live.
HOW DID THE DESIGN BEGIN?
We wanted to create a more traditional-style kitchen but with a contemporary twist and that all-important island. People tend to perch there while I’m cooking when we have friends and family over, and it will be perfect for Talia too as she gets older for doing homework while I’m getting dinner ready. I also have lots of treasured pieces that I’ve collected over the years, and wanted somewhere to display them so they’re not hidden in cupboards. That meant doing away with some wall cabinetry and replacing them with open shelving.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS?
Taking away those wall units was pretty risky as, like every other family, storage is at a premium, and we always seem to have more stuff than places to put it! But we found that the glazed dresser we now have in the dining area actually gives us more storage than we previously had – and I get to enjoy my open shelving.
WAS THERE A HIGH POINT?
We kept the existing flooring but the new layout revealed some parts of the floor that hadn’t previously been tiled. So we didn’t know how on earth we’d match it until I lucked out by finding the previous owner’s invoice for the flooring in a folder they had left us!
HOW DID YOU MAKE THE BUDGET WORK FOR YOU?
It was tricky but we managed to stick to it by reusing existing appliances as well as power and water points. In the end we spent a little more on electrics for the island, but we did the painting and snagging ourselves as well as laying the additional flooring required. We actually enjoyed being hands on as it really gave us a sense of ownersh
