The kitchen is possibly the most important room in any home, with its primary function being the place where we store our food and create our meals, but as we all know the kitchen is far more than that. It’s a place where we gather as a family after a busy day, where we catch up with friends, and it’s often the centre stage when it comes to entertaining. Both the kitchen and pantry require a lot of attention to ensure it suits our needs, whilst making the best use of the allocated space within our homes’ floor plan.

The perfect kitchen is a hard thing to define, James Treble has travelled to Milan for the International Fair of Interior Design many times and has fallen in love with plenty of amazing kitchens with high-end finishes, but that doesn’t mean these designs would be the ones he’d have in his own home. Despite its looks, the right kitchen is the one that is tailored to satisfy the needs of each home.

With this in mind, module 3 of James Trebles online design course covers all the fundamental elements of understanding and designing functional kitchens, including the finishes and surfaces options, the appliances, the layout and the style, so that you will be better informed when deciding which kitchen is in fact ideal for your home.

This article is a excerpt from Module 3 which will teach you how to design the perfect kitchen and pantry for your home.

A Charming 1920’s Cottage but it’s time for an update

In this episode the team has got the call out to Earlwood in Sydney’s inner west, to have a look at this character filled home built in the 1920’s.

The owners are currently overseas and have enlisted a trusted team in Architect Jodie Dang and Project Manager Joseph Wallhouse to look after this property, getting it ready for their return.

This house was purchased in 2010 for around the $800,000 dollar mark and since then the median house price in Earlwood has risen to a whopping $1.8 million dollars.

Whist the home has plenty of charm it also has plenty of issues not suited for modern living.

The renovate design will keep the facade as is with cosmetic touches only. This 1920’s home has plenty of character and great street presence that would be a shame to lose.  A new car port will help round out the look and bring better functionality.

Also, with its new placement, allow more natural light to come into the house.

The addition at the rear of the home is where the real magic is taking place. Using a prefabricated construction method the key elements will be built off site and craned into place with the new kitchen and dining well positioned to lead out into the backyard area. A bathroom, laundry and multi use room also bring great functionality to this single story home.

Both designs hit the brief perfectly and Joseph had a difficult choice to make.

In the end the expert advice from Real Estate expert Dean Owsnett helped Joseph to make a recommendation to the clients and they decided to go with the safer renovate option.

Keeping the 1920’s charm of the existing home kept it in keeping with the suburb and the new modern living space at the rear created the right balance between nostalgia and modern living.

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Dean Owsnett has been a Director at Professionals Padstow in Sydney’s South West for over 20 years, Dean has an in-depth local knowledge of the area and experience of the industry that is second to none.

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A focal point is also useful to physically aim people’s attention towards a specific direction and maybe away from areas you don’t want to be noticed. From there the attention will span to the area immediately around it and then open to the rest of the room.

A focal point is created by using colour, pattern, size or finish, for example, like a striking art work on the wall in the living room, the textural cushions on the bed, the gold and marble floor lamp or a stand out kitchen tap in the middle of the kitchen island.

The focal point intends to visually attract people, drawing their attention and making them look where you want them too.

A Dream Block of Land but a Home in need of a Makeover

Angela and Julian live in Underwood, about 15 km south of Brisbane.

The median house price in Underwood is around $820,000. Along with the rest of the country, prices here have seen a huge jump in the last few years. They bought the house 5 years ago for $510,000.

Angela and Julien, looking to be close to the city but without the price tag, found this huge 800 square meter block and mid 1970’s house with great potential, too good to be true.

They moved in 4 years ago and although they love the location and the block, the house is ready for change and they need some help.

The renovate design keeps the facade as is, but gives it a facelift with new paint and a lot of tidying up.

Coming through the front door and up the internal stairs – the lounge room, dining room and kitchen also remain, as is.

It is from the back yard looking onto Angela and Julian’s beloved back deck where the real change is taking place.

A new extension coming out into the backyard will contain the master suite these guys were dreaming of.

Angela was renovate all the way by Julian wasn’t so sure.

A tight budget, and keeping the elevation of the 2 story home were major factors on their final decision.

In weighing up the options, budget and investment benefits the renovate design ultimately won them over.

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Alex Jordan is QLD’s #1 agent for McGrath QLD, awarded #1 Top Residential Agent QLD – REA (realestate.com.au) Excellence Awards 2020 and named brisbanehomeprices.com ‘Agent of the Year’ for four consecutive years, Alex Jordan achieves such accolades with his distinctive ability to maximise the perceived value of a property.

A Dream Location and the Rundown Beach Shack

Greg and Suzanne purchased a home nestled amongst the trees in the picturesque area of Flinders Victoria

The median house price in Flinders is an astonishing $3 million dollars. However this is an area that boomed over lockdowns but has been slowly declining, so smart choices are a must.

Greg and Suzanne fell in love with the property which contains an old fisherman’s shack that is extremely small, but holds a lot of local history.

Its an ideal location, a close walk to the beach for their beloved Border collies and a very short drive to a stunning golf course, of which they are both avid players.

The question is all about whether they can revamp the old shack and keep the history of it. Or is it going to be more efficient, environmentally and monetarily, to knock it down and start again.

The renovate design has opted to use more of the large block they are on and also go down the modular route by renovating the original Shack and adding two new modules.

There is a large driveway leading up to the home, however nowhere to park the caravan undercover.

The initial module is a large open plan living / kitchen / dining area with large windows leading on to an entertaining deck, this is everything Greg and Suzanne wanted from their living space with enough room to entertain friends and family.

Once you head down the hallway you reach a secondary living / rumpus room that gives an added space for guests to use – with 2 large bedrooms and a central bathroom between.

Greg had a dream about renovating the shack and keeping the history but after a nudge from Suzanne the Rebuild option won out.  The parking space for the caravan plus the certainy of the cost and timeline for the prefab modular build of the rebuild option were deciding factors.

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The Allure of Mid Century Modern

In the picturesque suburb of Stafford Heights, Brisbane, lies a home with a history as vibrant as its mid century modern architecture. Lisa, the proud owner, has faced the timeless homeowner dilemma: to renovate or rebuild. With the assistance of a talented team comprising interior designer James Treble, dynamic duo Jimmy and Tam, renowned architect Paul Butterworth, Lisa embarked on a journey to revitalize her beloved abode.

Starting from the facade, the rebuild design is a knockout. Not only does it nail the brief of the mid century modern style, it is conscious of what was there before, helping it fit into the suburb and surrounding houses.

Taking advantage of the elevated height and sea breezes, the rebuild will push the house up on the block, activating the perfect space for a pool that connects beautifully with the house.

Under the house and through the internal courtyard the entry is cleverly shaded and invites you up.

After much deliberation, Lisa made her choice: to renovate. With a nod to practicality and a desire to preserve cherished memories, she opted for a design that honored the home’s history while addressing its needs for modern living. Real Estate Agent Alex Jordan’s insights into the financial implications provided valuable perspective, guiding Lisa towards a decision that balanced her lifestyle aspirations with budgetary considerations.

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Bondor® is Australia’s leader in complete thermal building solutions and lightweight architectural panels.

Energy Matters is an award-winning company dedicated to all things energy, with a passion for sustainability & clean energy.  Get quotes for your solar and battery storage needs.

Alex Jordan is QLD’s #1 agent for McGrath QLD, awarded #1 Top Residential Agent QLD – REA (realestate.com.au) Excellence Awards 2020 and named brisbanehomeprices.com ‘Agent of the Year’ for four consecutive years, Alex Jordan achieves such accolades with his distinctive ability to maximise the perceived value of a property.

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Introduction

In the heart of Moorooka, Brisbane, a suburb adorned with red double-brick homes from the 1950s and 60s, architect Matt Riley has seamlessly blended nostalgia with modernity in a breathtaking mid-century modern home renovation. Jimmy caught up with Matt to delve into the design philosophies and innovations behind this stunning project.

Upon entering the renovated home, Jimmy marveled at the massive void and highline windows that flooded the living space with natural light. Matt Riley explained the meticulous planning that went into maintaining the picturesque views and harnessing the northeast sun for energy efficiency. “Those windows serve a dual purpose. They also bring ventilation and light,” Matt emphasized.

In the living area, Matt’s strategic use of light, ventilation, and thermal mass became evident. Jimmy, seated on a bench seat, appreciated the peaceful living space created. Matt pointed out, “Part of what we try and do is subtly introduce elements which can guide the owners to use the space correctly.”

Introduction

In the picturesque coastal town of Anglesea, Victoria, the recently completed project by JM Homes Surf Coast has taken home design to new heights. Hosts of the Renovate or Rebuild TV show, Jimmy and Tam, sat down with builder Jamie Mills to delve into the intricacies of this stunning and energy-efficient dwelling.

The unique design of the house, blending Core 10 Steel with rusted steel, tilt panels, and Japanese landscaping, caught the hosts’ attention. Jimmy expressed his admiration for the blend of materials, stating, “It’s such a different feel, yet it all works seamlessly, from the front door to the Japanese-inspired landscaping in the backyard.”

Tam was drawn to the epic island bench in the kitchen, constructed with Caesar stone and a Luminex picture frame. Jamie explained the bold design, saying, “It looks pretty bold for a bold room really.” The design theme extended throughout the house, tying everything together from the front door to the farthest room.

Introduction

In the lush hilly suburb of Freshwater, nestled in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, lies a remarkable dwelling that defies the conventional notion of space utilization. Gavin and Amber, the proud owners of this extraordinary home, shared their journey with renowned interior design guru and Renovate or Rebuild TV show host, James Treble. Together, they unveiled the secrets behind their energy-efficient masterpiece on a mere 200-square-meter block.

Gavin says they discovered the block of land completely by luck – the vacant land became the canvas for their dream home.  “I had a little bit of money squirreled away, and I went and spoke with a real estate agent. We got to the end of the conversation, and I said, ‘Geez, if I had a magic wand, I’d find a bit of vacant land on the northern beaches and build something interesting,'” recalls Gavin.

In another lucky break, the previous owners’ had a design and secured the necessary approvals.  “Because the plans were already designed and approved, we were able to get going straight away. So we didn’t have to go through the whole process of designing and getting the approval. We could just hit the ground running and find a builder,” explains Amber.

Amber loves their warm and inviting kitchen and its clever storage solutions.  They stayed on budget buy doing clever things like buying surplus floor boards from other projects.

“There’s these great drawers that pull out over the top of the stairs. So they weren’t in the original design, but we built them in and found a little bit more space in our pantry,” says Amber.

Introduction

In the heart of Queensland, Australia, a stunning mid-century modern home has undergone a remarkable transformation, catching the attention of design enthusiasts and Instagram stalkers alike. Renovate or Rebuild TV show hosts and winners of The Block 2020, Jimmy and Tam, recently caught up with award-winning architect Paul Butterworth to uncover the design secrets behind The Honeyworks House.

What makes The Honeyworks House truly unique is that it is not a new build but rather a skillful renovation of a five-year-old structure. Butterworth elaborates on the process, stating, “We were lucky enough to salvage and draw on lots of materials and things from the original house that was here. So there was still a legacy of what was here before.”

Jimmy and Tam love the idea of incorporating salvaged materials into the new design. Jimmy notes, “One of the biggest things that stands out to me is that Y column. It’s the biggest nod to mid-century architecture, and it just works perfectly with this house.”

Discussing the sustainability aspect, Butterworth emphasizes, “The biggest thing I think is the fact that it’s probably 30 percent smaller than it was going to be. So it’s easily the most sustainable thing we did about the house. Nothing to do with technology. It’s just physically making it what it needed to be.”

Jimmy echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful design in creating sustainable homes. He comments, “I think that’s where people get lost when designing a home. Everyone wants a big, giant home, and then they don’t think about the heating cost, the cooling costs, the extra materials…”