Style and sustainability

Part of our Greener Kitchens & Bathrooms special, this kitchen is the centrepiece of a carefully considered renovation.

What a difference an extension can make to a home. The centrepiece of this renovation of a 1934 suburban house is a new kitchen and dining/living area that has brought it to life.

The extension, set back two metres from the original house and immersed in the surrounding garden, is a light-filled living space separated from the private space of the old home. Old and new are linked through a glass corridor.

Face cupboards in the kitchen have FSC-certified Tasmanian oak timber veneer sealed with natural oil free from VOCs, while the benchtops are oyster Caesarstone. The glass splashback hides a handy glass and spice cupboard.

Efficient electric appliances are used throughout in the kitchen, including a V-ZUG induction cooktop and Miele dishwasher. A highly efficient Stiebel Eltron heat pump supplies the hot water.

Sustainable features

Appliances
  • V-ZUG induction cooktop and oven
  • ZIP Elite square design tap with sub micron and sediment filters
  • Tap Luz kitchen mixer Armando Vicario
  • Fully integrated Electrolux fridge and separate freezer
  • Qasair rangehood
  • Miele dishwasher: energy rating 3.5, WELS water rating 4.5 stars
  • Stiebel Eltron heat pump hot water system.

Paints and finishes

  • Allergy-free brief for materials and finishes
  • All timber flooring and veneer cupboards were sealed with VOC-free WOCA natural oil.

Materials

  • Oyster Caesarstone benchtops
  • Glass splashback
  • Mix of recycled and Tasmanian oak timber flooring and panels for the ceiling was laid in the old and new extension from Britton Timbers, FSC-certified
  • Tasmanian Oak Timber veneer on cupboard faces purchased form Timberwood Panels, FSC certified.

Lighting

  • All lights are LEDs.

Other features

  • Lowered section of the kitchen bench makes the preparation area accessible for children and wheelchair users
  • Extension was set back from the original house by about 2 metres to create a garden where more light can penetrate and where residents can gain more enjoyment of the outdoors
  • Graf Platin tank of 5000 litres installed underneath the grass in the backyard to collect rainwater for flushing toilets and watering the garden
  • The whole house is insulated, with roofs reaching over R5
  • Double glazing installed with low-e glass on the external layer and gap filled with argon gas to improve thermal performance
  • All openings have blinds to reduce further summer heat gain and winter heat loss.
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