Stirring Up Style: The Recipe for a Personality-Packed Kitchen
It is undeniable that we spend a lot of time in our kitchens. More than just a space to cook meals, kitchens are the hub of the home where we debrief to our family about our day, share a glass of wine with friends or dance around in the refrigerator light. As such, the kitchen should be a space that reflects our tastes, aesthetics and, most of all, personality. Jessica Muller from Melbourne Home Design + Living sits down with the Smith & Smith Kitchens design team to chat about all the ingredients you need to inject personality into your kitchen.
Smith & Smith have more than 40 years of experience in the industry, having crafted thousands of kitchens around Melbourne since its beginnings as an interior design company in 1976. The company is renowned for building bespoke kitchens with
a personal touch. “At Smith & Smith, we design kitchens around the people that use them. It is impossible to not inject personality into a kitchen when you work with one of our designers,” the team says. “We take into account your home, your style and your way of working in the kitchen to bring your new kitchen to life.”
BUSTING MYTHS
Smith & Smith have found that people hesitate to go for a bolder design for their kitchen because of the misconception that doing so will reduce the resale value of their home. “Don’t go for a plain white kitchen when you really want a kitchen with personality,” the design team advises. “If you are thinking of resale in 5-10 years, the kitchen is likely to be replaced by the new owners. Kitchens are a number one place for homeowners to update when they move into a new home,” the team explains. Contrary to popular belief, Smith & Smith suggest that a kitchen with personality can work in your favour when selling your home, as it will evoke a positive emotional response in buyers even if it may not be their style.
Smith & Smith also argue against the idea that you are restricted with bringing a big personality to your kitchen if you live in a unit or flat. “Tiny flats are an ideal place for personality to pop,” the team advises. “This can be done through styling or a feature cabinet, for example.” Lastly, don’t think it will be too expensive – it’s not! “There are many ways a bold statement can be made without breaking the bank – a pop of colour and texture in a tiled splashback or contrasting laminate colours are examples of low-cost ways of personality being injected.”
INGREDIENTS
So how should you go about spicing up your kitchen? Colour is possibly the most important element when it comes to showcasing character. “From bright to bold to pleasantly pastel, colour can change the mood of your kitchen,” Smith & Smith says. When it comes to choosing your palette, Smith & Smith outline your two options: “Choose a colour for your kitchen that fits your existing colour scheme or create a new colour scheme starting with your kitchen and moving throughout the home.” Adding a bit of texture can be just as effective to create a bit of flair in your kitchen. “Battened panelling or profiled doors are a fantastic way of injecting warmth into a kitchen,” Smith & Smith declare. “Texture invites touch and touch makes us feel connected.”
Playing with shapes and angles is also a fun way to differentiate your kitchen. “Curved islands and boldly shaped rangehoods are a great example of using shape to inject personality into your project,” Smith & Smith says. These can soften the space or serve as an eyecatching feature.
Country
If you’re after a country-style kitchen, there’s plenty of ways to infuse your personality into it. “Most colours can work in a country style kitchen. Bold colours can bring that joyful eclectic feel of an English cottage kitchen and subdued tones bring the Hamptons into your home,” Smith & Smith says. The features you choose can also define the room’s character. “A feature mantle or chimney breast can bring the charm of a centuries-old kitchen,” the design team suggests.
Contemporary
If you’re leaning more towards a contemporary kitchen, Smith & Smith suggest focusing on textures and colours to create your desired atmosphere. “Mixtures of textures and colours
can bring personality into a contemporary kitchen. Layers of subtle hues can create a very light and bright atmosphere whereas dark hues create a cosier vibe,” the team explains.
Minimalist
Although minimalist kitchens tend to keep colours and textures to a minimum, they can still boast a creative flair. “Minimalist kitchens need to have an element of surprise,” Smith & Smith says. Whether it’s a hidden room or some amazing storage solutions concealed in the cabinetry, minimalist kitchens should maximise on surprises and storage.
DOS AND DON’TS
To achieve a great kitchen with a big personality it’s important to still be selective with the elements you choose to feature. “Consider the rest of the room and the home. Too many colours can be overwhelming if it is not carefully planned,” Smith & Smith advises. “Don’t have too many focal points. One focal point is ideal in a kitchen. If there are too many focal points, then it is confusing to the eye and exhausting to look at.”
If you’re thinking of rejuvenating your kitchen to include a bit more personality, reach out to the Smith & Smith Kitchen’s team for an unparalleled level of service. From the initial strip-out to the final design touches, the team expertly handles every aspect of your kitchen transformation. “We custom design so you are not hemmed in by modular cabinets meaning you get a better kitchen design that fits your home completely.” The design team’s parting advice for readers is simple: “Go for personality every time!”
