A Kitchen Reimagined: Elegant Curves, Hidden Details, and Playful Accents

A kitchen should be more than just a place to cook—it should feel like an extension of the home, seamlessly blending functionality with warmth and personality. When interior designer Carmel, from GIA Renovations, first stepped into this space, she immediately saw its potential. “The brief was clear—my client wanted to ‘open up’ the existing kitchen and create something that felt more like furniture rather than just a kitchen,” she explains. Expecting her first child, the client also needed plenty of storage to accommodate a growing family. The challenge was to seamlessly blend function with a sense of warmth and personality, making the kitchen feel like a natural extension of the home. The result is a space that prioritises storage while maintaining a refined and welcoming aesthetic. Thoughtful details, from hidden storage solutions to playful yet elegant hardware choices, ensure the space is both highly functional and visually cohesive.

A Hidden World of Functionality

“The island bench is the heart of this kitchen, and I wanted it to work as hard as it looks good,” Carmel shares. “There are so many hidden gems here—the pop-up power point tower allows appliances to be used on the benchtop and then tucked away effortlessly. On the dining side of the island, we integrated internal drawers to provide extra storage without disrupting the clean lines of the design.” These thoughtful details ensure the kitchen is as practical as it is beautiful.

The Role of Hardware in Design

For Carmel, hardware is never an afterthought—it’s what sets a space apart. “I selected round timber handles for this kitchen to bring a sense of continuity with the timber flooring, making the design feel cohesive and inviting,” she explains. “These fun, tactile elements were a reflection of my client’s playful personality.” The kitchen features Castella’s Macquarie Tasmanian Oak handles in both round and semi-circle styles, a unique choice that enhances the warmth and organic feel of the space. “The beautiful timber grain of these handles adds an extra layer of texture and craftsmanship, making them a standout feature in the kitchen,” Carmel adds. Alongside them, custom stone inserts on the side of the island and penny round marble mosaics in the splashback add depth and texture, layering in warmth and individuality.

Balancing Constraints with Creativity

Every project comes with constraints, and this one was no different. “To balance budget and aesthetics, we used a mix of laminate and 2-pack finishes, achieving the right blend of durability and style,” Carmel says. The oversized four-metre island bench also posed a challenge, as it required a join in the stone. “I chose a subtly veined slab so that the seam would dissolve into the surface, maintaining the design’s visual flow.”

Designing for Longevity

Timeless design isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about quality. “When a space is well-designed and expertly crafted, it never feels dated,” Carmel notes. “At GIA, we work with the best trades and suppliers, ensuring that the spaces we create stand the test of time. For me, longevity is all about attention to detail—hardware, materials, and finishes all play a role in crafting something enduring.”

A Vision Brought to Life

This kitchen holds a special place in Carmel’s heart. “From the moment I envisioned it, I knew exactly how I wanted to bring it to life,” she says. “The island bench, with its layered details—from the hidden drawers to the custom handles and elegant stonework—is the undeniable hero of the space.” The curved bulkhead adds a subtle architectural element, framing the kitchen within the open-plan setting without making it feel separate.

With a palette inspired by the soft hues of a morning sky—fresh minty blues and apricots—this space is filled with warmth, texture, and personality. “It’s more than just a kitchen; it’s a space designed to evolve with the family who calls it home,” Carmel reflects.