This 1990s house in Berwick, Melbourne had plenty of space yet lacked style, so a complete kitchen and laundry makeover was needed to bring the home up to date. A design-led renovation delivered stunning spaces for the owners to enjoy.
Dianne loved her spacious home in the sought-after suburb of Berwick, but after three decades of constant use, the kitchen and laundry were very much in need of a major upgrade. The rest of the home had already been refreshed and renovated: it was time to revamp these hardworking hubs and transform Dianne’s home.
Having previously worked with Refresh to renovate her bathrooms, Dianne reached out to her local Renovations Consultant, Leigh McDonald, to arrange a meeting and begin the simple 5-step Refresh process she knew she could trust.
Local Consultant Leigh McDonald was already familiar with Dianne’s home and style and was thrilled to be working with her again to complete her renovations. The pair sat down to discuss Dianne’s goals and budget and to start exploring concepts.
As a previous Refresh client, Dianne knew that she could trust Leigh to deliver her renovation on time and on budget, and that the entire project would be expertly managed from the design phase right through to completion. This is always a welcome relief to Refresh customers who want to avoid the stress that so often accompanies home renovations.
Dianne knew she wanted a bright facelift for the kitchen while retaining the existing slate flooring and was also hoping to add storage space if possible. Expert design advice meant that the floorplan was able to be reconfigured to allow a new walk-in pantry, while the adjacent laundry and bathroom would also receive modern makeovers.
With Leigh at the helm and a detailed working plan and budget in place, Dianne felt confident moving ahead with her home transformation. Kitchen, bathroom, and laundry renovations always require multiple tradespeople, from cabinet makers and electricians, to plumbers, plasterers, painters, and more. Scheduling so many tradespeople can be a logistical nightmare, but Leigh had an established network of professionals and suppliers to draw on and expertly managed the renovation workflow.
In the kitchen a total renovation with beautiful finishes was planned, from ceilings and scotia to tiles and tapware. With the walk-in pantry, the new footprint felt much more open and user-friendly. Dianne opted to order a custom benchtop through a private stonemason which unfortunately meant a lengthy delay, but Leigh was able to juggle timelines to accommodate this setback.
The existing bathroom and laundry felt cluttered and dull, so these were stripped and completely refurbished for a fresh, new look
Instead of Nineties nostalgia – recessed cabinet details, awkward angles, and a boring beige palette – Dianne’s kitchen has been completely transformed into a sophisticated space that feels fresh, modern, and bright.
The customised stone benchtop adds a stunning designer feel, while the elegant white cabinetry with subtle, almost hidden hardware, presents clean, modern lines. The beautifully tiled backsplash adds an element of understated sophistication.
In the laundry, a wooden work bench provides both depth and warmth to the space, while the bathroom now has a vessel top vanity atop a marble counter that complements the kitchen finishes, creating a feeling of continuity between the spaces.
Dianne’s new kitchen, bathroom, and laundry complete her home transformation and deliver light, bright, and beautiful spaces for her to enjoy. From designer tile and benchtops to top-end appliances, every kitchen detail was thoughtfully considered to create a sophisticated home hub, while striking laundry and bathroom renovations have reset the tired and cluttered spaces of old.
A neutral palette throughout ensures the rooms feel bright and spacious, but there’s no mistaking this as a code for dull; a mix of textures and materials is visually stimulating with an overall refined feel. Plus, the clever new floorplan, effected with no damage to the existing slate tiles, enabled the walk-in pantry which Dianne loves.
Leigh is thrilled with the outcome. “This was a major transformation. We took each space from dull and dated and made them modern and fresh. I absolutely love the tile in both the kitchen and bathroom, and Dianne is thrilled with her bespoke benchtop.”
Leigh McDonald is Renovation Consultant of 27 MAC Pty Ltd, a franchisee of Renovation Franchise , doing business in Melbourne
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If you would like to find out how Refresh Renovations can support you with a high quality, efficient home renovation, get in touch today. Your local Refresh Renovations consultant will be happy to meet with you for a free, no obligations consultation.