This 1986 house has huge sentimental value for the current owner, who lived in the home growing up.

He and his wife recently returned to the  Mill Park, Melbourne home (in the city’s north east) to live in permanently.

After years of family living and being rented out, the property was looking tired and dated, so the owners brought in M.J. Harris Group with interior designer Naomi McLean.

Their plan was to transform the kitchen without moving its position within the home. The space needed additional storage, a more open layout, and auspicious orientation in line with their cultural values.

The updated kitchen layout mirrors the original, featuring full new height cabinets on the right hand side, allowing the cooktop to face east.

Structurally, a wall separating the kitchens and living spaces was demolished to open up the space. ‘We also changed the entrance to the kitchen from a conventional door to a plastered arch opening, further enhancing a feeling of openness,’ says Naomi.

A built-in dining nook with a timber slat wall was also created to offer intimacy while maintaining an open atmosphere.

For the material selections, Naomi opted for a light and serene colour palette emphasising spaciousness and enhancing natural light. ‘Hints of green and pale grey can be seen to promote a sense of calm, making the space a perfect spot to unwind after a long day at work,’ she says.

Small square tiles on the kitchen splashback create visual interest and texture, while wood grain laminate and timber flooring add warmth.

A cohesive use of gentle curves across the upper timber shelves, benchtop edges, arched entryway, and dining tabletop unites the overall scheme.

Finally, more storage has been integrated through the addition of overhead cabinetry in the kitchen as well as in the mud room and custom bench seat.

The renovated home is more practical, light, and inspiring, with the kitchen now the proud centrepiece. Naomi says the couple are ‘looking forward to creating many more memories in this beloved family home.’