“How can we attain a contemporary look that acknowledges the traditional feel of the house without looking dated?”
Below are the tips from experts in achieving the Perfect Blend Modern Kitchen:
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1. First identify your lifestyle needs, then opt for low-maintenance finishes, simple lines and carefully planned storage. Do you like to congregate in the kitchen? An old timber table can double as a workbench and dining table while adding character. Hand-painted or polyurethane finishes are practical for cabinets as they’re easily wiped clean. Acknowledge the age of the house with vertical mouldings on the doors and neat ‘aged-pewter’ handles. A lightly patterned composite stone would look lovely for the benchtop; go for a matching splashback if budget allows. Specify large tiles or pre-finished lined or smoked-oak boards for the flooring.
2. By being selective in your finishes for benchtops, handles and door profiles, you can continue the theme you have throughout the house into your new kitchen. For example, a polyurethane-finished door with a flat recessed panel in the centre that can fit into a contemporary or period scheme, with the feel enhanced by door hardware Integrating appliances behind the same profile door will create a modern, streamlined look. I think your choice of benchtops would be engineered stone, composite marble or stainless steel. If you have timber floor or other timber work throughout your house, using timber veneer for shelves or cabinetry would tie in the old with the new.
3. An old house has something new house often don’t have: character. Blending the new with the old to keep the character but including all your wants and needs takes carefully planning. Use modern materials but period design influences - for instance, simple inset cabinets, an apron-style sink, and so on. Consider a butcher’s block countertop for a rustic feel, and integrate appliances for a streamlined look. A mosaic-tiled splashback and a statement pendant light over the countertop or island bench have visual appeal and will tie all elements together - a perfect blend of materials mixing old and new styles but with a modern flourish.
If you need some help about kitchen renovations, call The Blue Space or take a look at some of the best kitchen renovators in Australia.