Modern Ease in Motion
Timeless design, reimagined for everyday life
Some transformations are loud, dramatic, and unrecognisable. Others - like this one - whisper elegance through every line and finish. Jess and Nick’s Edwardian home in Hawthorn was ready for an update, but it didn’t need reinvention. What it needed was refinement, a reimagined kitchen that worked harder, flowed better, and felt effortlessly modern without losing its character.
As two busy professionals (with one little boy and another on the way), Jess and Nick needed a space that balanced style and practicality, calm amid the daily hustle. The result? A kitchen that feels quietly confident, where subtle design choices come together in perfect harmony.
A meet-cute that sparked a makeover
This renovation began with a simple conversation between Jess and our designer, Kirstin - colleagues at GlobeWest who’d become friends long before the first cabinetry sample was chosen.
When Jess mentioned she was thinking about renovating, Kirstin shared her work with Wood Wizards, and the idea took off. Her recommendation carried real weight, and once Jess met Jordan in the showroom, everything clicked into place.
With clear communication, accurate quoting, and a process that ran exactly as promised, the project felt grounded from day one.
Jordan Corbett | Business Owner & Kirstin Sweet | Interior Designer (Styled Haus)
What made the journey even more special was having Kirstin by their side. She nudged Jess and Nick toward braver choices, pairing her design eye with a deep understanding of how they lived. Every selection felt considered and supported, turning what could have been overwhelming into something exciting and assured. And today, Jess wouldn’t alter a thing.
A contemporary twist on classic charm
From the start, this renovation was never about knocking down walls, it was about unlocking potential. The existing footprint had good bones, but its 1990s fittings and finishes were ready for a fresh chapter. An evolution from dated to beautifully deliberate.
At the heart of the design sits Polytec Malabar cabinetry in Oyster Grey, a bold yet timeless alternative to white. Chosen for its contemporary micro-shaker profile (detailed enough to add charm yet subtle enough to suit the home’s Edwardian architecture), it delivered the balance Jess was searching for.
Paired with The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Cascade benchtops, with their soft grey tones and delicate veining, the palette settles into a harmony that feels both current and enduring. With highlight windows flooding the space with daylight, Oyster Grey brings warmth and depth without overpowering.
*Hot Tip*
Choosing colour doesn’t mean going bold for bold’s sake. A mid-tone like Oyster Grey offers a timeless alternative to white - it softens light, hides fingerprints, and gives just enough edge to make your kitchen stand out without shouting.
Finishing touches give the kitchen its quiet confidence. Touch Vesio handles in Titanium tie in seamlessly with the dark stainless appliances, while the Franke Eos Neo Anthracite Pull-Out Tap and Bolero sink introduce a gentle contrast that feels intentional rather than overpowering. On the island’s rear panels, the clean, handleless doors open to reveal generous hidden storage, a reminder that thoughtful design lives just as much behind the scenes as it does on display.
Before & After
Textured, tactile, and thoughtful
Texture was key to giving this modern shaker its personality. The Tile Fusion Zellige Ivory Gloss splashback tiles, handmade and slightly irregular, bring depth, soul, and a hint of imperfection that makes the space feel lived in. They catch the light with ease, framing the feature Robert Gordon Ceramic Wall Sconce lights, hand-glazed in Melbourne and one-of-a-kind.
While the cabinetry layout stayed true to the original footprint, clever refinements made all the difference. The new bench seat tucked beneath the window became an instant family favourite, a quiet corner for morning coffee, weekend chats, or tiny feet swinging beneath the table…
And for Jess, the hidden appliance hutch was a game changer. With its pull-out runner system, the morning routine now runs seamlessly - coffee, toast, and cereal all tucked neatly out of sight once the day begins. Little luxuries like this bring calm to the chaos of family life, allowing design to work quietly in the background.
*Hot Tip*
Transformation doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes the smartest renovations work within the same footprint - rethinking function, improving flow, and adding texture and tone to breathe new life into familiar spaces.
Practical magic behind the scenes
Beneath the sleek exterior lies a network of clever systems designed to make everyday life effortless. Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers and ORGA-LINE container sets keep storage impeccably organised, while the Hafele Hailo Euro Cargo ST60 bin ensures recycling is simple and fuss-free.
The Siemens induction cooktop offers precision and flexibility, complemented by Siemens ovens and a rangehood that blends discreetly into the design. And when it comes to clean-up, the Miele fully integrated dishwasher is, in Jess’s words, “worth every dollar.”
The island bench offers hidden storage with Push Catch mechanisms, while open shelving in Polytec Plantation Ash Woodmatt adds softness and warmth. Together, these elements create balance… a kitchen that feels intentional but lived in, elegant yet practical.
Small touches, big impact
The design’s reach extends just beyond the kitchen - to a fireplace and home office, both finished in Oyster Grey with touches of traditional shaker detailing to tie the home together. In these spaces, Polytec Ascot thermolaminate brings a understated nod to the Edwardian character at the front of the house, while the consistency of colour maintains visual cohesion.
Throughout the home, Plank Floors Groell Engineered European Oak provides the perfect base, its soft greys and natural grain grounding the space and connecting old and new. Sunlight dances gently across the surfaces from morning to evening, a reminder that good design isn’t just something you see, it’s something you feel.
A family kitchen built for now
For Jess and Nick, this kitchen isn’t just a renovation - it’s a reflection of how they live today. A place where family, design, and practicality intersect. Every corner has been thoughtfully considered, from the bench seat that invites conversation to the textured tiles that spark joy.
And perhaps that’s what makes this transformation so special, it proves that true impact doesn’t require radical change. Just the right people, the right guidance, and the right sprinkle of wizardry.
If this story has you imagining what could be possible in your own home, consider it your sign. Don’t put it off. Take the leap. And if you’d like the Wizards by your side? All the better! We’re here to listen, guide, and bring your ideas to life, reach out to book in your kitchen consultation.
Call us on (03) 9557 2988, and let's get started.
Project Details
Price Guide
Kitchen Cabinetry $40,000 to $45,000
Kitchen Benchtops $8,000
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 2 pack Malabar and flat profile in Oyster Grey
Polytec Malabar and flat profile thermolaminate in Oyster Grey Smooth
Polytec Ascot thermolaminate in Oyster Grey Smooth
Polytec Oyster Grey Matt laminate benchtops
Polytec Plantation Ash Woodmatt
Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers and ORGA-LINE container sets
Hafele Hailo Euro Cargo ST60 bin
Touch Vesio handles in Titanium and Arezzo Knurled Bar Handles in Copper Bronze
The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Cascade benchtops
Tile Fusion Zellige tile in Ivory Gloss
E&S appliances
Miele fully integrated dishwasher
Siemens ovens, induction cooktop and rangehood
Fisher & Paykel quad door refrigerator freezer
Franke Bolero single bowl and Eos Neo Anthracite Pull-Out Tap
Robert Gordon Ceramic Wall Sconce lights
Plank Floors Groell Engineered European by Fine Cut Floors
“We are absolutely thrilled with our Wood Wizards kitchen. From the very first meeting, the team made everything feel easy and transparent. Jordan was patient, clear and genuinely listened to what we needed as a busy, growing family. Kirstin stretched our thinking in the best possible way. Every selection she guided us towards is something we now love, and never would have chosen on our own. The process was smooth, the trades were exceptional, and the attention to detail was incredible. The kitchen has completely changed how we use our home, and the bench seat is now everyone’s favourite spot. We’ve already recommended Wood Wizards to friends, and would do it again without hesitation.”
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“Working with Wood Wizards has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our home. We started with a dated 90s kitchen and ended up with something that feels modern, calm and completely ‘us’.”
