Interior Designer Katrina Lumsden brings a coastal touch to her Sydney home.

Step into this Sydney kitchen renovation project by Katrina Lumsden, an experienced Interior Designer & Stylist with over a decade of industry experience, Katrina shares her design journey as she creates a relaxed costal kitchen perfect for entertaining and for her family to enjoy!

Please tell us a little bit about your self, your business and what you do?

I am an Interior Designer & Stylist and have been in the industry for over 10 years. I have worked on projects of all sizes and styles during that time including our studio shoot location in Gymea Bay.

Can you share with us the kitchen design project you worked on? What were the primary goals for this project?

We love to entertain and have a big extended family so wanted to ensure that our space was going to fit everyone comfortably as well as allow us to entertain indoors and outdoors. We wanted the flow from indoors to out to be seamless so we created this bench that runs right through to the outdoor patio. I have a very relaxed coastal style so injecting the timber into the space added just the right amount of warmth.

Where did you draw inspiration for the kitchen design? Are there specific themes or styles that influenced your choices?

We actually renovated this home over some time and my tastes changed many times during the renovation. But overall I always wanted a crisp white base with the touches of warm timbers for that modern coastal style where I could always inject pops of colour if I wanted to spice it up.

What materials were used in the design and what was the thought process behind their selection?

We had the overhead spotted gum timber box custom made so that I had somewhere for a little styling and adding in some character. The pantry wall has been lined with polytec lining board and we chose the v-groove profile for the top cupboards and island cupboards to add some interest and give that coastal feel. I actually really wanted a single marble sheet as my splashback but the budget wouldn't allow for that. So we compromised and I chose large 1200 x 600 tiles which I think came up just as beautiful without the price tag!

What considerations did you take into account when planning the kitchen layout? How did you optimize the available space to meet both functional and aesthetic requirements?

One feature we always loved in this kitchen was the highlight window. As the back of the home faced south we wanted to bring in natural light and sunlight into the space which this did. We also chose to have a very large 2.4m long bench top to allow for all the family to sit around the bench as well as for when we have parties!

We also wanted to ensure we had plenty of storage so optimised the internal area of the pantry as well as added a second storage cabinet which housed all of our glassware and a little bar.

What were your choices of furniture and fixtures in the kitchen? How did you make sure they complemented the overall design? Were there any custom pieces created for this project?

I actually had the stools and dining chairs custom made in Bali when I had a trip over there. The teak legs tied in beautifully with the timbers in the overhead shelving.
I love an extendable tap and double sink so that was a non negotiable for me. I stuck with timeless stainless finishes in my tapware and finishes.

How did you approach lighting design in the kitchen? What role did different types of lighting play in enhancing the space? Were there any specific challenges related to lighting that you had to address?

I am a big believer in functionality in a space over aesthetic design. I ensured that we had plenty of functional LED downlights over the bench space for cooking and preparation.

The gorgeous feature pendant lights from Huset Design created warmth and were an ambient overhead light. We also had LED lighting tucked up behind the overhead cabinetry on the back wall which looked really beautiful at night time when the kitchen wasn't in use.

Did you incorporate any innovative or unique solutions in the kitchen design? If so, what were they and how did they enhance the functionality or aesthetics?

We designed our indoor/outdoor bench so that it was a seamless flow and had a custom window added so we could open it up when we opened the stacker doors. This flow to our entertaining area, barbeque and deck was perfect when we had guests over.

Can you share insights into the final touches and styling elements that were added to complete the kitchen design?

I added in some touches of timber in some of the styling pieces to tie into the other pieces. I also love to use beautiful cookbooks with stylish covers to style with as well - I don't necessarily use them to cook!

What advice or tips do you have for homeowners considering a kitchen renovation or redesign?

Think about the way you and your family use the space and allow for plenty of storage!

Are there any current trends or timeless design principles that you would recommend to our readers?

All of the beautiful finishes and profiles of cabinetry at the moment really allow you to create an elegant and stylish kitchen. I would just say, especially in a kitchen - functionality and quality over aesthetics for me every time!

Discover more from Katrina Lumsden

Photography by Amani Lindsell