Eclectic Kitchen, Family Room & Laundry Renovation

Nestled in Lower Mitcham, a late Victorian-era home awaited a transformation. The property had seen several additions over the decades, but the kitchen, family room, and laundry were in need of a complete renovation. Time had taken its toll and the existing spaces no longer met the needs of this creative family of four.

They sought a thoughtful redesign to restore functionality while preserving the character of this 1890s home. The kitchen and laundry had become dysfunctional and showed signs of wear. Our clients wanted a kitchen space that would serve as an open plan cooking hub, with a small home office and dining nook. Similarly, the laundry needed to double as an art space.

Being experienced renovators, they knew exactly what they wanted: a company that would handle every aspect of the project, from design to construction, while respecting their vision. They valued a careful, considered approach rather than rushed decisions. Their goal was to have a space that felt cohesive with the home’s history while accommodating their modern lifestyle.

New functional open layout

The biggest challenge was improving the layout. The existing kitchen was cramped, with a pantry, open cellar and small home office dividing the space. The laundry lacked natural light and felt disconnected from the rest of the home.

Our Design Specialist and Construction Manager started by tackling the major design hurdle, which was the open cellar staircase in the kitchen. It needed to be enclosed for safety without compromising the flow of the cooking area. Our team considered various layout solutions carefully. The final arrangement was a galley layout ensuring an efficient workflow.

We designed a new kitchen layout that prioritises functionality and openness. By removing the pantry, office walls, and a breakfast bar we created a more spacious and connected home. As a result, there are defined zones for the kitchen, dining, and home office while allowing for seamless movement between activities. The new wall allows for a discreet home office and has built-in cupboards to store office supplies. We completed the space with a Velux skylight which floods the kitchen with natural light, enhancing the connection to the outdoors.

We increased the height of the passageway from the living room to the laundry where we reorganised the space to function as both a practical utility room and a creative workspace. Here we included floor-to-ceiling cabinetry on one side and a benchtop with a large undermount sink on the other, perfect for cleaning paintbrushes.

features that bring a vision to reality

The renovated kitchen prioritises functionality and openness. We created overhead cabinetry above the tall cupboards that extend into the dining nook, making full use of the 3.6m ceilings. In addition, we utilised deep drawers providing easy access to storage. We included a library ladder to access these high cupboards safely. cupboards on the other side of the peninsula to store board games, make the space both practical and social.

The colour palette is bold yet harmonious, with deep blues, greens, and natural timber. We used thermolaminated shaker cabinetry, Perrin & Rowe tapware, and Tasmanian Oak shelving with iron brackets to reference English country style. The Japanese mid-century dining pendant complements both the garden view and the home’s 1950s addition. Mood and task lighting were carefully selected to create the perfect ambience.

A pale green zellige tiled splashback adds texture and extends to the ceiling. The Falcon freestanding cooker is complemented by a stainless steel canopy rangehood and custom flue extension. With our client’s desires in mind, we used salvaged windows and doors, moving them into new areas like the dining area which now frames the calming view of their Japanese garden. Similarly, we finished enclosing the cellar staircase with a salvaged door.

In the family room, we installed authentic pink terrazzo floor tiles, which provide a warm and calming base. We installed a salvaged window The hallway linking the family room and laundry was carefully redesigned to ensure a cohesive transition. In the laundry room, we used VJ panelling to match the family room’s aesthetic, and a salvaged window and louvre door. A timber door handle, created and painted pink by the clients, adds a personal touch

Eclectic kitchen transformation

The transformation is remarkable. The once-cramped kitchen is now an inviting, multi-functional space. The new layout fosters connection, with ample room for the family to cook, dine, work and relax. The laundry, now a bright and inspiring space, seamlessly integrates function and creativity. The salvaged window in the family room enhances natural light and garden views, making the space feel expansive.

This renovation successfully balanced bold, eclectic design with practicality. The clients now enjoy a kitchen, family room and laundry that truly reflect their style and needs. By honouring the home’s history while embracing modern living, this transformation has created a warm and characterful space that the family will cherish for years to come.