Open hearted
This revamp of a tired, enclosed kitchen results in an open, welcoming
space with refined cabinets and elegant inter-room connections
Above: With removal of walls, this
renovation by Kira Gray of Fyfe
Kitchens opens the new kitchen up
to sea views. Mosaic tile splashbacks
brighten what could have been dull
corners of the room, drawing the
eye into the space and adding depth.
Stainless steel cabinetry handles
complement the stainless steel
shelving and add a masculine touch
to the reinvented space.
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Imagine a spacious seaside apartment with
poor connections to the views. That was just one
factor of many addressed in this major kitchen
renovation by experienced designer Kira Gray.
“On this revamp, the existing kitchen had
become dated, lacked storage and was shut away
from both the lounge and sea views. Accessed
through one door, the space also included a laun-
dry area that interrupted the kitchen’s flow.”
Besides accessing the sea views, the owners
wanted the new design to feature a simple island
with no inserts, offer plenty of storage, and still
retain a laundry. It also needed to provide casual
seating for two and have defined areas of use.
“In terms of aesthetics, they wanted a warm,
masculine look, with a bling factor,” Gray says.
In response, Fyfe Kitchens’ award-winning
designer first removed walls, to create one large
space. Wood and glass cavity sliders were installed
at the entry to the kitchen, creating a direct view
through from the lounge to the sea.
“We positioned the cantilevered island with
seating in the centre, to create a feeling of space,”
she says. “Plus, we lined the walls with tall
cabinets, greatly enhancing storage options.”
Gray also reworked the prep and cooking