Designing a timeless and family-friendly kitchen and laundry in Normandale, Wellington

Before starting their family, the owners of this Normandale property wanted to upgrade their kitchen and laundry spaces while they still had free time.

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Making plans

In the preliminary planning stages, Emma, the owner of this 1970s Normandale home, reached out to Refresh Renovations Wellington to discuss details surrounding a possible renovation. She and her partner wanted to take advantage of their child-free time while they still had it and were considering a kitchen makeover. They weren’t exactly sure where to start, so Renovation Consultant Mark Morrison visited the couple to explain the process.
Their existing kitchen was in fair condition but its functionality left much to be desired and the overall style was dated. Emma wanted to reconfigure the layout, modernise the design, and create a low-maintenance space that would transition easily into a family-friendly kitchen. There was also an underutilised laundry area that Emma wanted to make more practical.

Illustrated vision

After the initial consultation, the next step in the Refresh process is concept creation and feasibility testing. During this stage, Mark provided Emma with detailed mock-ups of the design they’d discussed. Concept drawings also allow our Renovation Consultants to determine what is realistically achievable in terms of architecture, permits, and other possible limitations.
Without any structural adjustments or technical difficulties, there were no feasibility issues with Emma’s kitchen design. If any problems had been identified, they’d be addressed during the next stage: working drawings and cost estimates.

Straightforward construction

Mark provided Emma with a $65,000 cost estimate and was able to deliver her kitchen for that amount since there were no major or costly variations once the project began. Throughout the five-month renovation, Mark was able to avoid budget inflation by making smart product selections and sourcing materials from preferred suppliers such as GIB, Mitre 10, Placemakers, Robertsons, and Tile Depot.

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Project delivery

The final result yielded a bright and airy kitchen with laundry to match. Opting for floor-to-ceiling cabinetry on one wall and floating shelves on the other created height and neutrality balanced by an interesting design feature. One of Mark’s trade partners customised floating shelves which were crafted from pine scaffolding planks. The finely sanded finish offers a rustic element and draws in the modern farmhouse aesthetic of the black matte drawer pulls.
The laundry and kitchen share the same understated colour palette — stainless brushed steel fixtures, white cabinetry and benchtops, and neutral timber flooring — with a pop of colour coming from the powder blue tiled splashback. Emma is thrilled with her timeless new spaces and is looking forward to enjoying them with her family for years to come.