TOOMOOWBA RANGES

Project Designer—Kim Duffin (CKDAus) (CBDAus)

One of Australia’s most awarded Designers , Kim has won over 15 regional ,state, National and International Based awards for his designs in the past 5 years. Kim Duffin is the creative force behind this innovative company.

It is his experience, design flair and understanding of quality products and materials that result in highly workable, practical and beautifully designed spaces. His ability to customize the space to suit the user’s lifestyle and needs is legendary.

He is not afraid to use unique materials and vibrant colour to create a unique spaces that not only look great but are extremely functional.

Style of Home

3 Bedroom Escarpment Home

North Facing Large Outdoor Entertainment Area.

Cavity Brick with Gyprock Painted walls

Aluminium Frame Windows and Doors

Tiled roof

Client Brief

The Clients Are Both Left handed .

Client would like to serve food to the rear entertainment area.

Clients are busy professional people who cook Quick meals on the go

To provide more natural light to dark afternoon space

More Ergonomic Bench Height to Cater for taller clients

Create Better flow between the adjoining Living Spaces

Provide a central Food Preparation Area with easy access to the Fridge and Pantry

More Adequate and Accessible storage with no waste of space

Area to House small appliances re: Jug and Toaster

Clients Uses their existing Microwave little and wanted to conceal out of view.

Provide Rubbish Storage for Household recyclables and Waste

Provide Adequate Task and Accent Lighting

Client requested Warm Natural Earthy colour tones with a touch contemporary touch

Project Features

Dual pull out Rubbish bin (to cabinet below sink)

1 x Orgaline Cutlery Insert

1 x Orgaline Utensil Insert

1 x Lemans Lazy Susan Corner

Bifolding appliance cabinet door

Blum tandem Pantry with lateral and cross dividers

Down lights to Pantry to Activate with Movement Sensor

1 x Pop Powerpoint to the island bench

Floor Plans and Interactive Tours

Design Solution

Upon the first visit to site I found that the clients existing kitchen was seriously cluttered. This created issues with traffic flow to the adjoining living spaces so I began with an analysis of how to better link the new kitchen space with these areas.

While considering the relationship between the kitchen and adjoining rooms such as the laundry, outdoor entertainment area and the dining/family rooms, I decided to do away with the traditional ‘”u” shaped kitchen concept. Opening the kitchen to allow for a better flow was high on the list of priorities so I incorporate a central focal point island into the new design.

One of the client’s objectives were for more storage space. We found that by relocating the hot water system outside, which was currently housed inside the adjoining laundry, we would be given the opportunity to recess of either a fridge or pantry back into its location on the opposite side of the wall. After further consultation with the clients it was decided to incorporate the fridge into this space. Although well away from the sink, the clients decided that the fridge would best service the proposed central food preparation zone. The nib wall was removed and an alcove provided for the new fridge position.

Another major change to the existing space was the removal of the existing corner window and replacing it with fixed glass panel at splash back height between overhead and floor cabinets. This fixed window provided the opportunity to increase natural light to the kitchen in the afternoon and, with the need for a place for small appliances, the corner could be used to house these. The additional overhead cabinets in this section could then facilitate the rang hood, and storage above the proposed cook top location.

As the clients are quite tall, they requested a higher than usual bench height. This one requirement provided both solutions and challenges to the new design. This helped to provide better flow when entertaining in the adjoining outdoor area as the rear window could be lifted to the correct height which allowed a bench top to flow out into this area. The addition of the servery enhances communications between the cook and the guests at family functions.

The floor needed to be upgraded as a part of the renovation. Due to the location of the property, on the cold range escarpment, spotted gum timber flooring was recommended to provide a feeling of warmth on cold winter days. The proposed island bench was square and felt sharp so to link the island to the floor and soften the transition between the adjoining spaces and fridge a raised curved timber veneer feature benchtop was incorporated into the design.

With the design now taking shape and general position of appliances and storage areas in place, set functioning zones could now be planned into areas. Drawers are used in most areas to maximize storage and provide better ergonomics. The use of Blum orgaline dividers and inserts provide easy access to all items for a busy family.

With the need to maximize storage and for the client’s request of no wasted space, drawers were pushed to the corner of the kitchen to facilitate a rarely used microwave, positioned behind a pocket door directly under the cook top. A pullout Leman s lazy Susan provides easy access to the blind corner. The dishwasher was positioned to the left of the sink to facilitate a left hand user. A Kimberly dual rubbish system has been placed under the sink to provide a solution for all household recyclables and waste. Floating timber veneer shelves were positioned to the left of the sink to provide an additional feature without restricting the now open feel and to tie together all elements.

Recognising the need for warmth and after looking at many colour combinations, Resene Triple Parchment was chosen for the polyurethane door fronts. The choice of Cease stone Almond Roca bench tops also assisted in tying together all colour combinations. Touch open doors were chosen to all upper cabinets and the aluminum G groove handles on the floor cabinets reflect contemporary feel. Their horizontal line provides the illusion of a longer space.

Task , general and ascent lighting have been provided via LED lighting to illuminate all visible workspaces and provided unobstructed light when performing daily tasks.

The newly defined open plan provides a flow of energy through the whole room. It considers all the elements of the clients design brief which were to create a space that helps the family connect stay connected while providing a better flow of energy through their home. The clients were amazed by the balance and harmony that the design created. It has exceeded their expectations.