Pale Pink Carries Through This Kitchen, Right Down to the Grout
Retro colors, appliances and materials complement a midcentury house in Australia
In this Q&A interview, Nathan Wundersitz, director of design and production at SpaceCraft Joinery, shares the creative thinking behind this pink and practical kitchen, in a midcentury modern home in Adelaide, Australia.
What was the scope of the project? The couple live in a midcentury home that is designed in a U shape around a courtyard and pool. When we visited for the first time, to consult with them on a new kitchen, we were knocked out by the home’s curvaceous confidence and sassy use of color, including the grand curved entrance hall [pictured below], which is painted in a soft pink.
In keeping with the midcentury modern vibe of the couple’s home, their carefully collected pieces from that period and their love for the color pink, we created a very subtle solution that maximized the utility and minimized the fuss in a unique kitchen design for this small space.
What were the clients’ requests? This is a midcentury home, and for the kitchen, the owners wanted something different. They wanted:
- The kitchen to be in keeping with the midcentury vibe of the home, as well as existing midcentury pieces
- The inclusion of pink without overdoing it
- Black shadow-line detail
- Open shelving to display special items
- An integrated fridge and microwave
- Laminate tops with [wood] edging, with the edge polished clear
- LED strip lighting in warm white on the underside of overheads for task illumination
- Curved open shelving on the end of the [peninsula] to mirror the curves in the home’s entrance and create a retro feel, plus a special place for displaying items
- Custom [blackwood] knobs from Auburn Woodturning
- Corner pullout-Lazy Susan for maximization of corner cupboard space
Where did you start? The home has a curved feature entrance wall that is painted pink — and was the inspiration for the kitchen design. The couple has lots of groovy midcentury furniture, hence the new [cabinetry] needed to work in with their existing pieces, so we color-matched [wood] to the existing furniture as well as [moldings].
What was the color palette? White, [midcentury-toned wood] and pastel pink, including the grout between the white tiles.
And the materials? The Polyrey laminate is in a delightful blush called Rose Petal. This was also linked to the soft pink grout used for the [backsplash]. Mostly the cabinetry and [countertop] surfaces are white and edged in blackwood, a favorite [wood] with furniture makers in the 1970s.
The same [wood] was used to create custom doorknobs, fashioned by Auburn Woodturning, and in the uprights for the curved open shelving…. It’s a romantic retro influence that riffs on the home’s original architecture. The base cabinet fronts and laminated [countertops] were cost-effective choices to keep within client budget.
Tile: Artedomus
The same [wood] was used to create custom doorknobs, fashioned by Auburn Woodturning, and in the uprights for the curved open shelving…. It’s a romantic retro influence that riffs on the home’s original architecture. The base cabinet fronts and laminated [countertops] were cost-effective choices to keep within client budget.
Tile: Artedomus
To keep this compact kitchen calm and collected, the fridge and microwave are both integrated into the [cabinetry] and hidden behind fascias, and there’s a corner cupboard with a Lazy Susan pullout to store the small appliances when not in use. The one visible appliance, the groovy Smeg Victoria retro range [the owner] chose, settles very nicely into its surrounds.
What were the challenges? For us, the most important constraint was that the space we had to deal with was long and rectangular, and would incorporate both the dining and living areas. The kitchen, therefore, needed to be relatively compact and meticulously planned. There was also a limited budget of [about $15,000].
Why does the room work? It’s in keeping with the home’s era, the couple’s existing furniture, and is quirky and unique, just like its owners.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their cat
Location: West Beach area of Adelaide, Australia
Designer: SpaceCraft Joinery