A Modern Kitchen Makeover in Kiwitea

Farming Family Style

Close to Feilding, and about an hour north of Palmerston North, lies the small country township of Kiwitea. This rural community is home to more than 500 households, including farmers and villa owners, Andrew and Audra. 
The couple wanted to modernise their home’s tired and outdated kitchen and dining area. They were thinking of adding more storage, modifying the pantry, and installing new flooring, with a design that was hard-wearing to withstand their farming lifestyle. And all was to be accomplished within a modest budget. 
A family member recommended Refresh Renovations Manawatu after completing a project on their own home. Acting upon the suggestion, Andrew and Audra reached out to Renovation Consultant Wayne Gordon to discuss their kitchen renovation. 

Crafting a Designer Kitchen

After getting a thorough understanding of what Andrew and Audra were after, Wayne worked with a kitchen designer from Mitre 10 to develop a plan that encompassed the couple’s criteria. The agreed design was estimated at a cost of $35,000. 
Heading into the renovation, Andrew and Audra were budget-conscious. But since they were comfortable with Wayne’s original quote, they opted for numerous variations down the line. The final cost came to just over $46,000, inclusive of flooring, painting, and splashback variations, structural work, and additional kitchen cupboards. 

Building Begins

For the construction phase, Wayne brought Project Manager Brian Taylor on board to manage the build. Brian soon had his work cut out for him. Andrew and Audra were consumed with their farm work at the time and were keen to get the renovation done as soon as possible. But, a COVID-19 lockdown created challenges for both the homeowners and the crew. 
Brian worked quickly once the lockdown was lifted to move on the build plan and keep everything on track. He informed Andrew and Audra at every turn to make sure their day-to-day living was disrupted as little as possible. And, despite the unavoidable delays with trades and supply deliveries caused by COVID-19, Brian completed the kitchen renovation in 12 weeks.

Airy and Bright 

Andrew and Audra wanted a modern kitchen and dining area, and that’s certainly what they got. Replacing the old vinyl and carpet with wood-grained flooring unifies the spaces that were once separated by different materials. Flow between the two is now uninterrupted and effortless. 
The new space is light and bright with white cabinetry and a timeless subway tiled splashback that reaches halfway up the wall, creating a modern statement piece. A mini-bay window perched just above the sink is the perfect platform for cookware items and herbs, adding to the modern but cosy feel of the home. Benchtops that mimic polished concrete top the cabinets and kitchen island; the latter has its own power sockets so it can easily be used as standalone prep space. 
Both concealed and open storage offer a balanced combination of style and function, keeping clutter hidden, glasses at arm’s reach, and decorative touches in full view. There’s even built-in shelving to house Andrew and Audra’s wine collection.
On the far wall, adjacent to the dining area, is a kitchen nook that’s been built with extra cabinets, a small bench space, and additional shelving. Being so close to the dining area, it can be used as a bar or serving station – a perfect space for hosting. 

A Complete Transformation

Enduring COVID-related disruptions and subsequent supplier delays proved to be worth it for Andrew and Audra, who ended up with the modern kitchen and dining room they wished for. Wayne and his talented team addressed all the homeowners’ requests and prioritised their needs. As a result, the space has been completely transformed from old and tired to modern and spacious with carefully chosen materials suited to the farming family’s active lifestyle.

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