The brief from the client (as per the video testimonial on YOU TUBE), was to create light and bright spaces, that were more functional and easier to use and better lit, for a growing family.

This was to include more storage for the kitchen and a much larger and wider island bench with added storage on the back of it. A place to plug in all devices on the island bench and to be concealed later. (pop up power unit).

A new set of cook top and rangehood items, with induction technology and undermount rangehood, re -using the clients own adored Smeg wall oven and their F&P Dish Drawer that was existing.

The colours were to be white or pale and with soft greys in tiles and doors etc.

A Kitchen Mosaic tiled splash back, in ‘Lantern Black gloss’, was an idea that came from Essence Interiors consultant Simone; to add a bold statement- this idea was warmly received by the clients and also the feature tile ‘Grey Fish scale’ mosaics in the main bathroom, was our design idea.

A handsome black backdrop, for a sparkling new kitchen, island bench storage at the back and pop up power, was our design input, as were the soft grey ‘basket style’ pendant lights that hang over the new island.

Make our en-suite a ‘sanctuary for us to retreat to”, was the brief and ‘please make the main bathroom more functional for our kids to use’, were the instructions from our delightful clients, Jane and Troy.

Essence chose for the client, new paint colours; Taubmans ‘Button up’ for bathroom, powder, wc and laundry and ‘Arctic white’ for the en-suite.

Overall, the clients said that,’ everything was so dark’ before the renovation and they wanted light, bright, crisp and clean looking surfaces with soft greys, sandstone and white and much better lighting to be installed throughout.

DESIGN IDEAS THAT WERE DISCUSSED PRE -RENOVATION

Kitchen Design and style was a big issue, as the actual house had a ‘federation look’ to it from the front façade, but not otherwise internally. Essence Interiors consultant Simone, suggested that, they could either go with the flow and choose a country style (or shaker) style kitchen door and handles to reflect a country or ‘oldie worldie’ kind of feel, to go with the Federation style.

The other option, which was favoured by Troy, was to go super modern and funky, with flat doors and unfussy lines, with modern gadgets and flash new appliances. The idea of adding some detail and special features, like round mirrors, really captured the imagination of both my clients, who on the whole, had very little to say about design ideas, at the outset.

Essence Interiors showed them some styles for kitchens as shown below:

These Pintrest photo images below, were used in initial design discussions, to try and get some sort of idea of the look and feel they both preferred.

SCOPE OF WORKS;

• New kitchen and appliances, new induction cooker, island cabinets, power pop up.
• Remove old upstand, create more bench and lots more storage.
• Designer pendant lighting over new island and breakfast bar overhang.
• Adding overhead units, concealed rangehood, over the cooktop and fridge.
• New laundry cabinets and longer bench with washer underneath.
• Removed wood vinyl floor to laundry and wc, powder area.
• Install all new tiling to bathroom, wc and laundry, new trough and bench.
• Bathroom works; remove old bath, relocate new bath to window wall.
• Install half shower screen, new tap ware, new toilet and all accessories.
• Install a sliding door to bathroom replacing open door.
• New vanity, sink, tap and round mirror cabinet to powder area.
• Feature tiling to bathroom.
• Ensuite: install all new custom cabinet, sink and tap, toilet, accessories.
• Add a new sliding door to ensuite instead of open door.
• Pendant light to corner of ensuite.
• All new tiling and half height wall to shower.
• Install full length pivot shower screen and round mirror.
• All new lighting to kitchen, pendants and downlights/oysters.
• All paint patching, hang doors.