Modern by Nature | A Kitchen Rich in Warmth and Character
After 26 years in their Bentleigh home, Anne and John were ready to see it in a whole new light. With retirement on the horizon, their long-awaited renovation offered the chance to reimagine their much-loved 98-year-old property, preserving the charm and welcoming atmosphere they had always adored while creating something distinctly their own.
With Atlas Architects developing the architectural plans, Bradley Builders overseeing the renovation and Interior Designer Kirstin Sweet (Styled Haus) helping shape the interiors, us Wizards were brought into the fold to weave some magic - transforming the kitchen and joinery. The vision was for a modern, inviting home where natural textures, refined simplicity and clever functionality could sit comfortably alongside one another.
The kitchen's material palette began with The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Taj Mahal Silk, a striking porcelain whose delicate copper-toned veining inspired a warmer direction for the design. A Brodware City Stik tap in Brushed Copper draws out the richness within the stone, while Touch Ferrara Lip Pull handles in Burnt Bronze, used sparingly on the appliance cabinet, add just enough metallic detail to complement the otherwise handleless joinery.
Bringing the composition together, Polytec Melamine Boston Oak in Woodmatt adds depth and natural character to the tall cabinetry, overheads and rangehood, creating a seamless connection with the home's existing Baltic flooring. Beneath the benchtops, Polytec Melamine Greige in Matt provides a softer backdrop, allowing the timber, porcelain and copper accents to each have their moment without competing for attention.
And while the kitchen makes a memorable first impression, there's plenty happening behind its streamlined exterior. A dedicated coffee station, complete with a Hafele pocket door system, keeps the morning essentials neatly tucked away when not in use. Elsewhere, Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers, ORGA-LINE container sets, a Hafele LeMans II corner unit and concealed One2Five bin make everyday organisation feel effortless.
That marriage of style and practicality continues through the appliances and finishing touches. A selection of Bosch appliances, including an induction cooktop, undermount rangehood and fully integrated dishwasher, provides reliable performance without disrupting the clean lines. A Fisher & Paykel Quad Door fridge in Black Stainless Steel and Franke Maris double bowl sink in Matte Black bring a bold, darker dimension, while the Da Voluce Lighting Studio Contessa Linear 30 pendant and King Living Luna bar stools lend the island a relaxed, welcoming appeal.
With the kitchen opening onto the surrounding living spaces, maintaining an uncluttered feel was particularly important. Additional pantry cabinetry was incorporated beside the dining table, providing generous storage while blending naturally into its surroundings. The combination of Dulux Natural White and Burnt Bronze hardware creates a quiet visual connection to the adjoining joinery without overwhelming the room.
And the transformation doesn't stop there. In the laundry, familiar finishes take on a slightly different personality, with Boston Oak and Greige cabinetry paired with Taj Mahal benchtops to maintain continuity. A Tile Fusion Coco Canvas splashback brings a playful injection of texture and visual interest, giving this hardworking space a character of its own. Thoughtful drawer configurations, integrated lighting and carefully positioned fixtures ensure ease of use is every bit as important as appearance.
The bathrooms embrace a quieter, more serene atmosphere. Polytec Boston Oak vanities bring an inviting timber softness, set against Taj Mahal surfaces and Tile Fusion Unique Intensity PureStone White tiles. A sculptural Victoria + Albert Barcelona White Quarrycast basin becomes an eye-catching focal point, complemented by a Brodware City Stik tap in Brushed Copper that echoes the kitchen's distinctive metallic detailing. Soft illumination and discreet storage complete spaces designed to feel calm, comfortable and harmoniously composed.
It's this considered use of finishes that gives the renovation its cohesion. Rather than repeating the same look from room to room, each element has been adapted to suit its setting, creating a natural sense of connection throughout the home while allowing individual spaces to retain their own identity.
For Anne and John, the result is more than a contemporary update. After six months away, they've returned to a home that still holds everything they loved about it, now with the comfort, convenience and personal touches to suit the years ahead. A familiar place, given a wonderful new lease on life.
Before & After
Scroll through to see the transformation…
Project Details
Price Guide
Kitchen, Pantry, Laundry and Vanity Cabinetry $80,000 - $85,000
Kitchen & Pantry Cabinetry Only $50,000 - $55,000
Kitchen Porcelain Benchtops & Splashbacks $11,000 - $12,000
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
Bradely Builders
Atlas Architects
Polytec Melamine Boston Oak - Woodmatt
Polytec Melamine Greige - Matt
Touch Ferrara Lip Pull handles in Burnt Bronze
The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Taj Mahal Silk benchtops and splashbacks
Tile Fusion Coco Canvas laundry splashback tile
Tile Fusion Unique Intensity PureStone White bathroom tile
Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers, MOVENTO drawers, and ORGA-LINE container sets
Hafele LeMans II, One2Five bin, pocket door system, and warm strip lights
E&S appliances
Bosch induction cooktop, undermount rangehood, and fully integrated dishwasher
Fisher & Paykel Quad Door fridge in Black Stainless Steel
Franke Maris double bowl sink in Matte Black
Abey laundry sink
Victoria + Albert Barcelona White Quarrycast basin
Oliveri laundry sink
Brodware City Stik Brushed Copper kitchen tap
Arcisan Brushed Nickel Arch Spout laundry tap
King Living Luna bar stools
Da Voluce Lighting Studio Contessa Linear 30 pendant
“We’d been talking about renovating for years, and now that it’s all finished, we wish we’d done it sooner! We absolutely love our new kitchen. It’s so much easier to use, everything has its place, and the colours and finishes have come together better than we could have imagined. The Wood Wizards team were fantastic at helping us work through all the decisions, especially when we weren’t quite sure what would work best. After 26 years, it finally feels like a home that really reflects us. We’re thrilled with how it’s all turned out.”
Love the look? Scroll through the Bentleigh renovation…
TOP TIP
When working with a mix of timber, stone and metallic finishes, look for colours and undertones that naturally complement one another. Picking up on a detail within your benchtop, like the copper veining in Taj Mahal, can help guide your choice of tapware and hardware, creating a cohesive look without everything needing to match.
