Warners Bay

Warners Bay House

Alterations + Interior Architecture

Renovation · Built

Set on a sloping site in Warners Bay, this renovation brought a fragmented kitchen and adjoining rooms into a more generous arrangement for everyday living.

Rich timber, stone and warm lighting give the interior depth, while the connection to the elevated deck supports cooking, gathering and entertaining.

The new kitchen becomes both a connection point and a transition zone within the home. Positioned between the existing circulation path, dining area, pantry and elevated deck, it transforms what was once a space people simply moved through into a place to pause, gather and connect.

The island anchors everyday activity, while clearer sightlines and the new pass-through opening create an easy flow from arrival and movement to cooking, conversation and outdoor entertaining.

01 / THE BRIEF

Client: Private Location: Warners Bay, Lake Macquarie, NSW Project Type: Complying Development Certificate + Interior design Status: Built 2024 Scope: Architecture + approval project management + interior design concepts

The original kitchen, dining room and sunroom operated as separate spaces, interrupting circulation and limiting the home’s connection to the elevated rear deck.

By opening and reordering these areas, the new kitchen becomes a central threshold and guiding movement through the home while creating a natural place to pause, cook and gather. The former sunroom now serves as a dedicated pantry, while clearer sightlines and a new pass-through opening extend everyday life towards the deck for relaxed meals, conversation and entertaining.

02 / EXISTING + CONCEPT

EXISTING

Existing kitchen and rear deck before the renovation.

CONCEPT

Design visualisation - proposed cabinetry, stone surfaces and warm lighting.

03 / DESIGN

Planned around everyday life:

Flow: Reorganising the kitchen and dining spaces created a clearer arrangement for cooking, gathering and everyday movement.

Storage: The former sunroom became a dedicated pantry, connected directly to the kitchen.

Connection: A pass-through opening linked the kitchen with the elevated rear deck and outdoor entertaining area.

Proposed floor plan showing the kitchen, dedicated pantry and pass-through to the rear deck.

Kitchen model walkthrough

3D section study of the kitchen joinery and openings.

Architectural section studies.

04 / THE MATERIAL PALETTE

Warmth, texture and depth.

Material study — dark timber, stone, texture and warm metallic accents.

Joinery handle reference — Igrab

The palette pairs darker cabinetry with stone and warm metallic accents. Layered lighting brings softness to the composition, balancing the richer finishes with an inviting atmosphere.

Dark timber cabinetry — richness, grain and visual continuity. Stone surfaces — texture and contrast. Matte black fittings — a restrained finish to the details. Warm metallic accents — subtle highlights. Warm, layered lighting — softness and definition.

Sink reference — Franke Maris matte black double bowl

Design inspiration and reference kitchens.

05 / BEHIND THE PROJECT

During construction — exposed framing above the deck.

During construction — alterations to the internal partitions.

During construction — the new pass-through window facing the deck.

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