Cath’s Kitchen by Bille Roy | Laminex Design Feature

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Sarah Conly of Billie Roy transformed a dated 60s kitchen into a space of light and understated details. The best part of which was the feeling that it had been here all along.

Some renovations go beyond the new colours or materials thrown at them. Sometimes it’s a whole new personality; the new you, new beginnings, perhaps a lifestyle you’d rather have or the change you need. Others take the energy and history of what was there, the stories and the memories and expand on it to create what can only be described as a new original.

This is Cath’s kitchen, designed by Sarah Conly of Billie Roy.

Fitting somewhere between a natural austerity and humble country minimalism, Conly has given Cath’s kitchen a modern elegance and timeless quality, completely removing it from its kitsch kitchen origins and ensuring it will last the next few decades with style and durability.

“Cath was trying to work out what to do with her home and how to make it comfortable to live in, well, forever,” remembers Conly.

“There wasn’t a huge budget. So, we worked out some changes which included the kitchen - but the kitchen is part of a small dining and living area - so we looked for a way to open it up a bit, get some more lighting, update it, and not blow the budget.”

The main, structural changes involved a new window, now a floor to ceiling pane that replaced a traditional, small aperture over the old sink. The former ‘U’ shape layout is now an island that features a hob with downdraft, meaning the whole back space could be transformed into full height cabinetry to house pantry, fridge and ovens. Finally, the wall between living and kitchen was removed to make way for a second island with sink and space for stools and casual dining. Crucially, these changes added space to the small footprint and ease of use.

Conly also adhered to a smaller, but no less important element of the brief; the need for plenty of space to display and hold Cath’s collection of books, art and trinkets – a lifetime of personal curation.

Working closely with client to develop the palette and materials, Conly would offer new suggestions and ideas along the way, giving Cath time to process and appreciate what she liked. This gave her the time to think about the plans as they evolved, adjusting until they reached this final design.

This back and forth between designer and client established a language – keeping it a bit country as opposed to being too modern – and the colours started to fall into place.

Conly chose Laminex Spinifex, a soft green-blue with grey base for the tall cabinetry and great link to the stone benches. Made soft using near-white tones, the island cabinets took on the creamy, warm tones of Laminex Moleskin which is further expanded on with the accompanying Surround by Laminex Classic VJ100 panelling. Painted to match, their regimented lines bring subtle homestead appeal to any home, and here they add a contemporary touch elevating the space with freshness and imagination, leaving detail that is absorbed tacitly and gently.

“In all spectra of houses, not just family friendly or lower budget houses, but in high budget too, Laminex is such a good product and before you go over the top with custom treatments, there’s always a lot of colours and solutions to choose from,” says Conly of using Laminex here and beyond this project.

That there is an English country garden just outside the new, expansive window is more than apt. This serene view, that can be appreciated daily, delivers all the serene renewal nature provides. The quiet materiality at Cath's Kitchen has a contemplative quality that lends itself to reflection.

“The outcome is absolutely wonderful. I love the colours, the layout, and the functionality of the kitchen. It is a place I love to spend time in,” says Cath of her new kitchen, “It is absolutely perfect.”

Cath’s Kitchen is a new original. Her books, arts and crafts have found their place. The eclectic collection is organised, not clinical, nor cluttered. They are home.

Explore Sarah's work at Billie Roy Studio.