The owner and mastermind behind this fresh and elegant designer kitchen shares the pros, cons and money-saving tips for creating a kitchen that fulfilled her needs and budget
All you need to know about installing a new kitchen
Who lives here?
Stacey Stanborough – founder of interior design company Grace By Design.
You have installed a new kitchen on a tight budget. What was important in your layout and how did you choose your design?
I devised a new, detailed kitchen floor plan, swapped a dark, dated and impractical palette for a cool palette, and opened up the space to allow for an elegant Warren Platner dining table to add another element of luxury. My main objective was to have a functional, modern-looking kitchen with minimal lines and at the lowest cost. The Carrara marble hexagon splashback plus the honed Carrara marble benchtop softened the stark white cabinetry.
What were your splurges?
I love my hexagon marble splashback from Tile Space, Parnell.
Best buy?
Marble benchtop from Architectural Stone in Glenfield.
Where have you saved money?
Definitely by shopping around. I got 10 quotes for my marble benchtop and saved around $3000. Buying refurbished appliances saves thousands – make sure you get a minimum five-year warranty.
Pros of your kitchen design and layout?
Clean lines, fresh, elegant and simple.
Cons of your kitchen design and layout?
The marble does tend to stain and scratch.
Budget
- Marble benchtop $3000
- Cabinetry $5000
- Splashback $2000
- Appliances $3000
- Labour $2000
- Design (free, done by Stacey)
TOTAL: $15K
Fact file: Kitchen designer – Stacey Stanborough of Grace By Design. Builder and plumber – Mike of Kiwi Builders, specialist in bathrooms and kitchens. Benchtop/tiles/splashback – Architectural Stone, Glenfield. Sink/tap – Reece Plumbing. Appliances – Appliance Outlet, Pakuranga.
Words by: Annick Larkin. Photography by: Emma MacDonald.
EXPERT PROJECTS
Create the home of your dreams with Shop Your Home and Garden
SHOP NOW
