A Fixed Beam Doesn’t Thwart This Kitchen Face-Lift

December 05,2017 Jim McLeod 0comments

Characterful chestnut and patterned tile deliver high style while tying in with the existing flooring and footprint

When faced with an immovable beam and the need to keep the same cabinetry footprint, SpaceCraft Joinery came up with a solution that adds to the functionality and beauty of this kitchen.

Space Craft Joinery

Photos by Jonathan VDK; styling by Emily O’Brien

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Size: About 215 square feet (20 square meters) within an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area
Designer: SpaceCraft Joinery

Space Craft Joinery

The backstory: The clients wanted SpaceCraft Joinery to redesign the kitchen space while retaining the footprint and slate floor. They also wanted a modern kitchen with warm and earthy tones that complement the existing flooring and cabinetry.

Space Craft Joinery

Color and materials palette: “For the solution, we just couldn’t go past wormy chestnut,” says Ellen Wundersitz of SpaceCraft Joinery. The wood, from trees killed by blight and damaged by insects, was used on the doors, back panel and floating shelves. Faces are finished in a 20 percent satin finish or in Dulux polyurethane in Domino. The countertops are Caesarstone in Raw Concrete. The backsplash tile is Oslo in the Artisan series by Southern Cross Ceramics.

Space Craft Joinery

The biggest problem: The massive beam and column that ran down the middle of the ceiling presented the most daunting challenge.

“No one was sure if it was load-bearing or not until a builder confirmed that it was and couldn’t be moved,” Wundersitz says.

Space Craft Joinery

The solution: “If we couldn’t shift the beam, the best idea was to build it into our thinking,” Wundersitz says. “So our builder was able to make a few modifications that allowed us then to create an island unit with overhead cupboards that covered the same footprint as the previous cabinetry while concealing the beam and column.”

Space Craft Joinery

The upshot: Wundersitz believes that the warmth of the wood and the cool charcoal color work well together, complemented by the coppery pendant lights, Caesarstone counters and show-stopping wall tiles.

“Behind this facade, we managed to deliver all the practicality [the homeowners] were after, making a kitchen that matches its aesthetics with ergonomics,” she says.

Space Craft Joinery

The kitchen won the award for renovated kitchen costing $30,001 to $45,000 Australian dollars (about $23,000 to $34,000) at the South Australian HIA Awards.

L7806 handle in American oak: Kethy