New Kitchen Hub for Family of Six

 

A very sleek kitchen is now the busy hub of a grand villa in Onehunga, which has been pulled stylishly into the 21st century with an extensive renovation. The new space is light and modern and works superbly for a family with four children.

The old wooden villa (about 120 years old) was moved to its current site about 15 years ago and bought by Gemma and Simon Tallon in 2014. Like many old villas, it retained some wonderful character features but it had not been brought up-to-date.

“It was very damp and dark. The kitchen was in an old lean-to, and comprised an aged formica bench and a couple of cupboards along with an old gas stove,” says Gemma.

Gemma and Simon moved out for four months while the house was totally refurbished. On the day Gemma left Birthcare after giving birth to baby George (now six months), her new kitchen was being fitted by Jag Kitchens. She made a diversion on the way back to where she was staying so she could inspect the kitchen.

“I thought then it was just amazing.”

Gemma worked closely with Frances Fothergill, part of the Jag Kitchens design consultant team and was totally satisfied with the result. “Frances knew exactly what I envisioned and the company was excellent to work with.”

A large island bench in engineered stone (Santorini) is a favourite feature of the kitchen. “With a family of four children, this is very practical as we can all sit around it.”

The entire four-bedroom home is painted with Resene’s White on ceilings and Thorndon Cream on the walls. This gives the house a stunning light ambience and works well with their very colourful artworks. The old Matai floors have been restored in the new kitchen and the cupboards are in Dezignatek white thermo-form. They have been designed to echo the ‘villa theme’ with contrasting black handles.

On the south end of the kitchen a long, slim window in frosted glass gives extra light while maintaining the family’s privacy. This window has a black trim, while the surrounding white subway tiles have been grouted in black – to tie in with other black features.  The Mondo Corner Unit works well for pots and small appliances, while the spice rack and five-drawer Blum space tower pantry and two large pullout bins are also very practical.

Gemma finds the new kitchen very user friendly. “I like the engineered stone with the slight pattern as the children’s crumbs don’t show and the thermo-formed cupboards are also very easy to keep clean.”

She is using an induction cooktop to ensure extra safety around small children (no burnt fingers), a Fisher and Paykel oven and a Haier refrigerator. A former chef, Gemma loves to cook, and the couple look forward to entertaining in their new spacious and very elegant kitchen this summer.

Jag Kitchens specialise in custom-designed kitchens and has its own manufacturing plant. The staff also use a state-of-the-art 3D computer design programme to show clients beforehand exactly how their new kitchen will look.

Jag Kitchens has an excellent reputation for designing and building for all budgets and for providing an outstanding design service with sound advice. Their professional design quotes are free of charge.

Visit the Jag Kitchens Showroom, located inside the Danske Mobler building at the Botany Town Centre, for more information on a wide range of materials and design options or to see more kitchen examples.