Australian Kitchen Gets a Luxe Hamptons Look
These homeowners feel like they’re permanently on vacation in the tony New York resort thanks to their new white kitchen
After a complete overhaul that included new Shaker-style cabinets, wood flooring, an island and a bright white palette, a dingy suburban kitchen outside Sydney now boasts Hamptons, Long Island-inspired good looks. The stylish space has the feel of a multimillion-dollar beach house thanks to hand-painted cabinetry, clever storage solutions and luxury finishes.
Provincial Kitchens, the designer, moved the cabinets and created a huge island to sit in the middle of the room. That opened up space to flow through to the laundry room. Shaker-style doors, beveled toe kicks and handmade tiles help channel the look of the Hamptons.
A new wood floor replaced the dated tiles, bringing warmth and character to the otherwise all-white space.
A new wood floor replaced the dated tiles, bringing warmth and character to the otherwise all-white space.
To achieve the laid-back luxury of the Hamptons and give a slightly rustic look, the cabinets were hand-painted. “Hand-painting gives a lovely matte finish and is easy to maintain. Plus, it will stand the test of time,” says Dominique McAdam, founder of Provincial Kitchens.
The free-standing oven is the centerpiece of the new kitchen. At 36 inches wide, it’s more than big enough for the couple, and it adds some old-world charm.
Oven: Lacanche
Oven: Lacanche
The island has transformed this kitchen into a functional and social space. On the kitchen side, a semi-integrated dishwasher, farm sink and pullout bin make the area highly functional. Integrated towel racks are placed over the bin and dishwasher for easy access.
Dishwasher: Bosch
Dishwasher: Bosch
Stunning white marble countertops and an elegant chrome faucet accentuate the luxe vibe.
Faucet: Perrin & Rowe
Faucet: Perrin & Rowe
The kitchen includes several ingenious storage solutions — one of the benefits of having a custom design. These shallow toe-kick drawers ensure that not an inch of space goes to waste. There are even some toe-kick drawers with comfy blankets inside for use as dog beds. Simply slide them away when not in use.
Spice drawers are tucked next to the range hood.
An appliance garage is partially concealed behind mesh screens. By opting for such partially concealed storage, the design team aimed to increase the room’s airy, beachy feel.
The new laundry area includes a second farm sink. To further improve the functionality of the space, a walk-in pantry was added.
“The pantry was put at the end of the laundry run next to the fridge, so it became an extension of the kitchen,” McAdam says. “The second sink is actually the laundry sink … as well as a sink for the dogs to be washed in!”
Attention to detail has created a kitchen that feels luxurious yet laid-back — just like those beachy getaways in the Hamptons.
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“The pantry was put at the end of the laundry run next to the fridge, so it became an extension of the kitchen,” McAdam says. “The second sink is actually the laundry sink … as well as a sink for the dogs to be washed in!”
Attention to detail has created a kitchen that feels luxurious yet laid-back — just like those beachy getaways in the Hamptons.
Read more kitchen stories
Who lives here: Vicki and Michael Fairlie and their two dogs
Location: Wattle Grove, a suburb of Sydney
Size: Kitchen: 135 square feet (12.5 square meters); laundry: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Designer: Provincial Kitchens
BEFORE: The kitchen was a dated U shape in dark wood that weighed the room down. The clients were also frustrated by the lack of storage and a dysfunctional laundry. The plan was to create a functional kitchen that would impart the feeling of the Hamptons —luxurious, bright and beachy. Oh, and with space for the dogs!