Colette has always had a good eye for decorating, but when her family – which includes husband Grahame, son James and daughter Victoria – moved into their Federation-style house 10 years ago, the brown timber kitchen was only given a quick makeover as they had grander plans. “We left the timber in place and just changed the handles and appliances,” Colette explains, “because when we renovated, we wanted to bring the house back to its original Federation style.”
LIGHT AND BRIGHT
But with much work needed to restore the house to its former glory, it was only recently that Colette was able to turn her elegant taste to the kitchen. While the cabinetry was still in good nick, she was keen to create a softer, light-filled finish for the space. “With the old Federation homes, the kitchen is usually quite dark and I didn’t want it to be like that,” she says. Colette also wanted everything to be more accessible, so all her tableware was within easy reach. “Everyone said ‘why are you changing your kitchen? It looks so good’,” she relates, “but I like the idea of drawers instead of cupboards.”
Luckily, she had a clear idea for the design thanks to a good friend who spotted her dream kitchen at Old Charm Cabinets & Joinery in Surry Hills. “She told me it was the kitchen for me, and when I saw it in their showroom I knew it was exactly what I wanted.” Old Charm specialises in handcrafted kitchens and furniture with a distinctly French-provincial flavour and this one certainly refl ects this classic style. “It’s very old-world, almost French with the corbels,” Colette says, “and with the old butler’s sink, it’s very English too.”
CREAM OF THE CROP
In keeping with the softer colour scheme, Colette opted for a dark cream for the walls and cabinetry. “With the brown English federation tiles on the floor and the parquetry fl ooring and timber furniture in the family room that’s right next to it, I just decided we had enough dark tones in the house,” she explains, “and the cream would just complement and throw light on the kitchen, which would flow through to the rest of the house.”
Colette also asked Paul and Mark from Old Charm to install self-closing drawers, which are cleverly concealed behind the beautiful cabinetry, and she loves that she can now open them so easily. “I’m not bending down as much to pull out things,” she enthuses, “and because all the smaller drawers are on the top, they actually carry the weight of the larger items which is really fantastic.” She also adores the butler’s sink, with its generous size and gorgeous tapware by Canterbury Sink & Tap. “Even though it’s a porcelain sink, which we were all worried about, it’s actually really easy to work with, and I just love that I don’t have to turn anything and the taps just come on.”
COMING CLEAN
Colette isn’t a big fan of clutter – “I like it nice and clean” – so while the original kitchen had plenty of bench space, the island bench in the middle of the room was also made larger and wider to create extra storage. Th ere’s also an appliance cupboard, as well as a pantry, which she finds very easy to keep tidy and organised. Even drawers built
into the mantelpiece surrounding the cooktop provide more space for storing smaller items.
For visitors, this stunning space is the fi rst room they see when they drop by, and what a welcome it is. “Everybody loves it,” Colette smiles, “they say it’s like something in the queen’s palace with the chandeliers and the glass cabinets – I’ve got a little tea castle of Buckingham Palace so it’s a bit of a joke.” And while it’s only been a few months since the kitchen was completed, the whole family couldn’t be happier with the results. In fact, Colette’s children are so excited, they love to help with the cooking. “I love the finish of it and I find it very easy to work in,” says Colette, “in fact, I haven’t stopped cooking since!”
KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
Oven, rangehood, dishwasher and stove – Smeg
Fridge – Fisher & Paykel
Butler’s sink – Shaw’s
Taps – Canterbury Sink & Tap
Benchtops – granite
Flooring – brown Federation-style tiles
Kitchen by Old Charm Cabinets & Joinery
www.oldcharmcabinets.com
Story by Lauren Broomham
Photography by Ryan Hernandez
Styling by Amy Frost