An Inspired Journey
Where home and heart align…
Some kitchens are beautiful. Others are functional. And then there are those rare, magical spaces that feel like a true extension of the person who lives within them. Suzie’s kitchen is one of those extraordinary gems.
Her journey to this home wasn’t straightforward. After years of searching for the perfect downsizer, she stumbled upon a house in Beaumaris. It didn’t tick every box at first, but she could sense its potential. Good bones. With the Wood Wizards team by her side, what started as a plan to “just trick it up a bit” evolved into a complete transformation, one that would ultimately spark joy. Every. Single. Day.
From collaboration to creation
When Suzie first met with Jordan and the team, she came with a simple request: move the kitchen sink. But as they stood together in her existing space, the list of ideas began to grow, and by the time the conversation ended, they weren’t just talking about a new sink... They were talking about a complete reimagining of the kitchen.
Collaboration was at the heart of every decision. Suzie brought her own artistic flair and clear vision, while Jordan, Darko, and builder John added expertise and insight. Every voice was valued. Sometimes plans changed dramatically, like when an extra bedroom idea was scrapped in favour of flow and balance. It was this willingness to listen, adapt, and refine that shaped such a remarkable outcome.
Kirstin, from Styled Haus played a pivotal role too, weaving Suzie’s creative energy into the finer details. With her instinct for colour, texture, and balance, she helped shape a palette that felt expressive yet timeless. It was this blend of interior design insight with cabinetry craft that ensured the kitchen became more than just functional, it became truly personal.
Suzie likens the process to creating one of her paintings: an organic, evolving journey. She didn’t want to be rushed, and Wood Wizards honoured that, embracing several revisions to get everything exactly right.
It wasn’t just about creating a space to cook; it was about proving to herself, her family, and her friends that she could bring this vision to life. Loved ones were invited into the process too, with girlfriends joining visits to the showroom to share in the fun and excitement along the way.
Before & After
Golden Moments: The stone that stole the show
At the heart of this stunning kitchen is The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Calcutta Gold benchtop and splashback. Seeing the stone in a large format at the Fine Choice showroom sealed the deal; it became the hero piece, guiding every other design decision.
The cabinetry palette followed naturally, with Polytec Black Woodmatt bringing depth and sophistication, while Polytec Copper Leaf Matt laminate added warmth and artistry. The bold decision to use Copper Leaf as the backing for open shelving turned storage into a statement piece, harmoniously complementing the golden tones in the stone.
Far from feeling stark or cold, the kitchen exudes comfort. The balance of black, copper, and warm lighting creates an atmosphere that’s both classic and contemporary - a space that pulls you into its story, and holds you there.
*Hot Tip*
If you fall in love with a feature material, like Suzie did with her stone, let it guide your other choices. Matching tones and finishes around a hero piece creates harmony and ensures your design feels cohesive from every angle.
A handleless haven
This kitchen is an ode to simplicity. With a fully handleless design, cabinetry flows seamlessly, uninterrupted by traditional hardware. Push Catch mechanisms on overhead cupboards offer smooth, minimalist function, while Square Set finger pulls provide subtle access to drawers and frequently used storage. The result? Clean lines and a contemporary elegance that allow the materials to shine.
Tucked neatly behind a Luxul Tambour Kitchen Roller Door System, appliances stay hidden until needed, keeping the space calm and intentional. The bar, complete with a Husky bar fridge, steps up as an entertainer’s delight, while the Butler’s Pantry reveals the joinery in all its strength. Together, these details strike the artful balance between working hard behind the scenes and offering moments of flair where it counts.
Cooking up joy, one meal at a time
Suzie’s love of entertaining shines through in every detail. The NEFF 90cm Natural Gas Cooktop takes centre stage, offering five gas burners, including a dual flame wok burner, made to handle everything from weekday dinners to family feasts. Paired with a NEFF under-cupboard rangehood, and an Abey Lucia Bowl & Three Quarter Sink, this is a kitchen ready to perform.
At Easter, Suzie’s family gathered for the first time in the finished space. Their reactions - wide eyes, open mouths, and joyful exclamations - made every decision, every revision, every moment of collaboration worthwhile. Her exact words? “It was one of the happiest days of my life”.
Cue the tissues.
*Hot Tip*
When planning your renovation, think beyond the kitchen itself. Imagine the moments you’ll share there: family gatherings, celebrations, quiet cups of tea. Designing with these memories in mind makes the final result even more meaningful.
A glow that tells the same story…
While the kitchen steals the spotlight, the fireplace cabinetry continues the story. Using Polytec Black Woodmatt with the same handleless finger pull design, it complements the space perfectly without competing for attention. That balance is crucial in an open-plan home, where living and cooking areas sit side by side. Each needs its own identity while still feeling part of a single vision. The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Jet Black benchtops add a sleek, modern finish, making the living area feel cohesive, connected, and irresistibly cosy.
Just as important, the cabinetry offers generous storage, ensuring books, games, or household extras can be tucked neatly away. In a space this open, hidden storage is key to keeping the look uncluttered while still making the most of every inch.
The art of finishing touches
Quality Flooring timber floors tie the entire home together, chosen carefully after much searching. This wasn’t just about picking a surface to walk on, it was about creating a rhythm in the home, where every step felt part of a bigger composition. Like brushstrokes in one of Suzie’s paintings, the floorboards flow seamlessly from one room to the next, grounding the space in warmth and continuity.
Beyond the floor, it’s the quiet, thoughtful details that make the biggest difference to daily life. Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers and ORGA-LINE container sets keep storage effortlessly organised, while the ultra-efficient Hafele Hailo Euro Cargo ST60 bin system makes tidying up second nature. Strip lighting sets the scene, casting a soft glow that shifts the mood from practical to playful at the flick of a switch. And at the sink, the Armando Vicario Luzb Gooseneck Pull Out Tap proves itself the ultimate everyday ally - sleek, flexible, and intuitive, making everything from rinsing vegetables to filling pots feel wonderfully simple.
It’s these small but significant decisions that elevate the kitchen from a purely functional space to one that feels alive with character. Each choice, carefully placed and thoughtfully considered, contributes to a masterpiece designed not just to be admired, but to be lived in and loved every day.
A love letter to home
For Suzie, this renovation was never just about cabinetry or stone, or even moving the sink. It was about creating a home that reflects her identity, her artistry, and her role as the matriarch of her family. With her children, friends, and the entire Wood Wizards team supporting her vision, the end result is a space filled with love and pride.
This kitchen isn’t just a room. It’s a masterpiece. And like all great works of art, it tells a story - of collaboration, creativity, and the magic that happens when dreams and design come together.
Thinking of transforming your kitchen? Get in touch. We’re here to listen, guide and work with you to craft a home that’s both smart and soulful. Call us on (03) 9557 2988, and let's get started.
Project Details
Price Guide
Kitchen, Pantry, Bar and Fireplace Cabinetry $60,000 - $70,000
Benchtops & Splashbacks $20,000 - $25,0000
Prices are an estimate for cabinetry or stone only, including installation. Please view The Budget Checklist for further details on the various elements involved in a kitchen renovation – we will quote your total investment including trades following your initial design consultation.
Products, Partners & Suppliers
Styled Haus Interior Design by Kirstin Sweet
Polytec Black Woodmatt and Copper Leaf Matt laminate
Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers, and ORGA-LINE container sets
Hafele Hailo Euro Cargo ST60 bin and warm strip lights
Luxul Tambour Kitchen Roller Door System
The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Calcutta Gold benchtops and splashbacks
The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Jet Black fireplace benchtops
E&S appliances
NEFF gas cooktop and under cupboard rangehood
Armando Vicario Luzb Gooseneck Pull Out Mixer Tap
Husky bar fridge
Abey Lucia Bowl & Three Quarter Sink
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“I got exactly what I wanted, in the way I wanted, at a price and pace that felt right for me. The Wood Wizards team never rushed me, they embraced the revisions, the changes, the little sparks of razzmatazz. They made it joyous! Every trade treated my project with the same care as if it were their own. They understood each other’s roles so well, often staying late to help, and that collaboration created magic. My home now reflects me. My artistry, my family, my hobbies, my interests... And every time I walk into the kitchen, I know I’ve achieved more than I had ever hoped for. It makes my heart sing.”
