Heart and hearth
Hand-poured concrete is a central element of the new kitchen.
The former kitchen.
A rusted metal splashback is another contemporary element in the kitchen.
At four metres long, the island is a major feature within the open-plan space.
Sleek stainless steel appliances add the final modern touch.
In an on-going series about the HRV Pure Invironment Project real estate agent Antonia Baker from The Property Market looks at the contemporary concrete-inspired kitchen inside the 110 year old villa.
It took 14 blokes to lift the hand-poured concrete bench into the house at 45 Lincoln St.
At 4m-long it really is a beast of a kitchen bench, but it looks and feels beautiful. It’s remarkable how something so tough, heavy and industrial looking can be so smooth, natural and inviting.
The kitchen has been designer Zayne Francis’s pet project right throughout the HRV Pure Invironment Project. As he says, he’s gone and put his dream kitchen in someone else’s house.
At least now he knows it works and he plans on creating a similar style kitchen in his own home when he gets the chance.
The kitchen is easily the most contemporary element of the renovation and while concrete is the dominant force, the kitchen also has a rusted steel splashback, two industrial-style pyrolytic ovens and sturdy German-engineered hardware.
And it’s not just the main bench that is concrete. The cabinetry is also framed by hand-poured concrete. The stark contrast to the classic villa style is what gives the kitchen its wow factor and, in Zayne’s words, “makes the house more than just a white box with lots of beautiful windows in it”.
With its two ovens, five-burner gas hob, wine fridge, door-in-door main fridge and vast pantry and storage area, the kitchen is huge compared to the size of the house. However, it’s an anchor for the open-plan living area and not only connects the lounge and dining areas, but is the centrepiece of the house.
Now that the renovation has been completed the property will be sold by on-site auction on 25 May. Visit the website for more information.
