Fairfield Update

 

Clem Carpentry showcases an elegant and exciting update to the kitchen, dining and living rooms of a Fairfield duplex house.

The Brief

Our client’s cute little duplex is located in a quiet corner of the leafy suburb of Fairfield, Brisbane. They enjoy entertaining, but felt their kitchen was lacking in space and had a tired feel. The clients contacted Clem Carpentry, as the premier Fairfield builder, to create an enjoyable, inviting space so they could cook for and entertain their guests. They also asked us to optimise the space for both storage and food preparation. The dated floor tiles in the kitchen were a particular pain point.

The two rooms the kitchen connects to, the living and dining rooms, were also in need of freshening up.

The general theme sought for the update was: straight lines, modern, clean, comfortable living.

Planning

Holly and Marc held a consultation with the clients to discuss their needs and preferences. We asked them to envisage their dream kitchen to better home in on the potential of such an update in all of its many details. This is just a part of how we operate as the premier Fairfield builder.

We measured and carefully assessed the space. Then we experimented with various layouts and worked out how to maximise the space. We produced CAD designs, and as a result a final design emerged.

Design & Fittings: Kitchen

Floor: We decided on blackbutt flooring. This is because it is an extremely durable timber. In addition, it has a soft blonde colour that fitted well with a neutral palette, adding some warmth.

Cabinetry: We supplied and installed new custom cabinetry from our CAD design with integrated handles. The team painted the doors, drawers and all visible panels with 2-pac in matt white for durability. The cabinetry was installed to ceiling height, including over the fridge, with a top header. All drawers and doors are soft-close, operating on quality hinges and drawer runner. Spice, cutlery and utensil trays are also included. We integrated Hefele rubbish bins and lids to sit flush and out of sight under the cabinet.

The build team inserted a small drawer under the oven. This allows for the storage of oven racks and accessories. We then put custom racks for frying pans in the cabinet to the right of the oven.

All the new kitchen cabinetry features stainless steel kick-boards.

Kitchen bench and plumbing: We installed a satin stainless steel custom-welded bench top. The oven needed to go against an external wall, so it made sense to keep it where it was. The stainless steel extends along the back wall, creating a 600mm high splashback between the open shelving and the pantry. It abuts the underside of the window architraves along the left-hand side window walls. We integrated a double stainless steel Oliveri sink into the new stainless steel bench with seamless joints. The plumbing under the sink was carefully positioned in such a way to allow for extra shelf space within these lower cupboards.

New Cabinet Unit, Dining Room

To gain even more kitchen bench space, we built a new separate unit, also in blackbutt with heavy-duty castor wheels. It faces opposite the dining table. This space is perfect for cookbooks. It also serves as a nook for storing small practical items such as mobile phones and tablets.

Within this unit is a rollaway buffet, which cleverly provides the clients with the extra bench space they need for entertaining. It features a Caesarstone quartz top. Therefore, not only does it function well, but it looks beautiful, too. A fixed shelf component above the Caesarstone top allows for a permanent display area when the cabinet is detached. Three shallow drawers and doors backing the lower shelving area feature soft-close and integrated handles.

Living Room Update

The old windows and doors, which were painted cottage green, were removed from throughout the kitchen, dining and living rooms. We upgraded them with custom-manufactured modern windows and doors in black. The room received a fresh coat of paint with Dulux Vivid White on the walls and Dulux Ceiling White for the ceiling. We replaced the skirting boards and architraves with a more modern three-step profile cornice. These we painted with Dulux Vivid White – Gloss.

Outcome

Blackbutt connects the update to all three rooms. We furthermore took care to update the lighting across all three spaces to highlight and complement the neutral palette with warmth. The spaces are integrated and refreshed, and space has been cleverly found and optimised. The clients are delighted at the enhancement to their lifestyle and entertaining.

Contact us today to discover how Clem Carpentry, your premier Fairfield builder, can transform your kitchen, dining, living and entertaining spaces to exceed your dreams.

 
Geoff R