Is your kitchen a status symbol, or is it a workshop? According to Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Phyllis McGinley, “the kitchen will not come into its own again until it ceases to be a status symbol and becomes again a workshop…when you enter it, you will feel the pulse of life throbbing from every corner. The heart of the home will have begun once again to beat.”

In the past, many Melbourne kitchens served as fashionable status symbols, designed to be oohed and aahed over by admiring neighbours. Here, appearance beat efficiency and functionality. These designer kitchens were the ones that fell for every house design trend that came along – from cherry wood cabinets, solid surface splash backs and vessel sinks to the ubiquitous kitchen island. Now, as attention returns to the kitchen as a workshop and place to prepare food, many Melbourne locals are finding it lacking.

It is said that the prevalence of cooking shows is sparking a migration back into the kitchen, with both men and women donning the apron once again to experiment with new recipes, unusual ingredients and the latest food trends. To accomplish this, they now need their kitchens to be as functional as they are attractive.

At Duncan Thompson Extensions, we frequently meet with homeowners looking to bring their kitchens into the 21st century. While it would certainly mean more money for us if we were to encourage clients to implement every passing trend into their kitchen remodelling, we prefer to take a more conservative stance and recommend a timeless, classic look. Our experience (as well as research by many industry professionals) tells us that bathrooms and kitchens date very easily over time, and are the areas that are judged the most harshly by potential tenants/buyers.

The bottom line is, if you want to have a kitchen that is user-friendly, fashionable and will not negatively impact your selling price in the future, you need to opt for a classical kitchen renovation.

When we extend, rebuild or renovate a kitchen using classical elements, it usually involves:

  • Neutral colours (cream or plain black and white)
  • Simple detailing – with the minimum of legs/feet, panelling and crown molding
  • Shaker kitchen cupboards, cabinets and doorways – without raised or flat panelling
  • Granite, soapstone or marble countertops
  • Simple 3×6 tiling and grouting

The best part about making the ‘bones’ of your kitchen classically styled is that you can use design elements to adjust the look to your personal preference. You can change the look and feel of the kitchen by using industrial or vintage furniture and lighting and can update it cheaply by adding small touches to your kitchen unit molding, finishes and panelling.

For a timeless yet new kitchen that is truly the heart of your home, opt for a classic renovation or remodelling with Duncan Thompson Extensions.

Related Tags: Home Remodelling Architect