Arriving at Delwyn McLennan's country home, the setting is immediately inviting—a space that clearly speaks to a family's touch with a thoughtful renovation. It's been almost a year since our first interview for the Designer Spotlight series in September 2023, where we chatted about Delwyn's career in interior and kitchen design and her advice on achieving a cohesive look.
Today, I'm back to talk with Delwyn about a significant personal project: designing and building her own kitchen. This deeply personal kitchen project has transformed the heart of her family home, to create a stylish and functional hub that that welcomes everyone into its space. As we sit down in her newly finished, open-plan kitchen dining area, we discuss the critical choices made throughout the renovation, especially the selection of kitchen flooring, and how these decisions have shaped the end result.
In our last conversation, we touched on your design philosophy and the importance of cohesion in a kitchen space. Today, as we sit surrounded by the results of your own recent renovation, could you share with us the story of your home and what led you to decide to renovate your kitchen?
My husband and I stumbled upon the bare land completely by chance while driving to Cambridge. We were in the process of relocating and wanted to build our own home.
We originally constructed an auxiliary accommodation with the intention of building our main dwelling further down on the property in the future. At the time, the kids were young, so this setup suited our needs perfectly.
As the children grew into teenagers, space became a premium — they needed their own rooms instead of sharing. To accommodate this, we worked with the original architect to expand the existing property.
The original kitchen was never intended to be permanent. It was a small galley kitchen, functional but not propitiate to the overall size of the home. We saw an opportunity to include a scullery while extending and made significant modifications to both the entrance and other areas in the house.
These changes paved the way for a spacious kitchen/dining area that complements our day-to-day life. The renovation wasn't solely about the kitchen; it was also about adapting our home to suit the evolving needs of our family.
BEFORE: The previous kitchen space before the renovation.
AFTER: The completed kitchen renovation.
Can you walk us through the process of designing your kitchen? How did you start, and how did you bring all the elements together?
The design was primarily driven by the space and our choice of appliances. Our son is a chef, so his input was important, especially when deciding to move away from gas to an Induction cooktop. Appliances play a pivotal role in shaping the design of a kitchen. We chose integrated appliances for a sleek, contemporary look. Two fridges were selected: a main fridge along with an under-bench fridge located in the drinks-station. This allows the kitchen to function as separate spaces while maintaining a seamless aesthetic.
My family trusted me with the colour palette and kitchen design - this set the scene for the overall look and feel of the home. My husband is an electrician, so completed the electrical installation and feature LED lighting which at night, creates a beautiful ambience that extends into the open-plan lounge and dining areas.
The kitchen is designed to be social; it's a place where the whole family can participate, whether cooking or just hanging out. The continuous toe-kicks around the Island offer multiple prep areas—it's not just a one-person kitchen. Someone can be at the drinks station, another at the cooktop, and a third prepping at the Island or in the scullery - where there is a second sink. This zoning provides distinct work areas and reduces conflict.
Connection and views to the outdoor spaces was also considered. The kitchen overlooks our garden and beyond. Enjoying your surroundings while working at the sink is important as statistics suggest we spend over 65% of our time at the sink when working in the kitchen.
While the traditional working triangle is still relevant, it is now more fluid - having two sinks, for instance, offers greater flexibility in how the overall space is laid out.
How long did the kitchen renovation take?
The entire renovation process, from start to finish, took about 4-5 weeks. Once the design phase was finalised, the Team at Kitchen Studio managed the check measure, kitchen manufacturing, project scheduling and oversaw its progression through to completion.
While the kitchen installation was completed within 3 days, it's important to account for the additional time required by other trades. This includes electrical, plumbing, plastering, painting, benchtop manufacturing, and floor preparation.
I love how the kitchen is integrated into the back wall. Can you tell me more about the details that make this design special to you?
The bulkhead on the backwall where the tall cabinetry sits was originally designed by the Architect as part of the build. The integrated look is further emphasised by the negative detail and sleek cabinetry.
The benchtop frames the cooktop area and extends under the wall ovens through to the drinks station, connecting the areas with a subtle detail. Simplicity is difficult to achieve - the small details create an uncomplicated look.
Would you say as a designer that you need a trusted team of specialists around you to help bring your ideas to life?
Absolutely, as a Designer, you depend on a team of specialist tradespeople. You're in constant collaboration with electricians, plumbers, kitchen and benchtop manufacturers, flooring experts, and painters and plasterers. Having reliable people to provide clear answers is crucial—it informs your decisions.
For me, tapping into the expertise of individuals like Matt from Floorboards, who has a background in both building and the flooring industry, is invaluable. His insights are essential, especially when dealing with unique challenges that step outside the normal, such as integrating tracks into our flooring for the large internal sliding doors.
Having a strong support team is vital - I had a client whose house was flooded shortly after kitchen installation. Rex from Floorboards was immediately responsive, offering advice and assistance to my client. He quickly sourced new materials, and the replacement flooring was installed promptly.
As a qualified Interior and Kitchen Designer, it is important to work with a professional team based on strong relationships. We always have the client's best interests at heart.
Now that your kitchen renovation is complete, how do you feel about the result? And how does the new kitchen impact your daily life and cooking or cooking habits?
We're really enjoying the new space. It's been around six months since the renovation was completed. We have since hosted birthday parties for both our children, along with gatherings for friends and family. The kitchen has done us proud!
The integration of appliances makes the kitchen look like an elegant piece of furniture and complements the overall style of our home. A kitchen is no longer just about providing food; it is a focal point to be enjoyed both socially and visually. This kitchen has taken our experience to a whole new level.
We're grateful to Delwyn McLennan for opening up her home and sharing the story behind her kitchen's transformation
If Delwyn's story inspires you and you want to learn more about her work, follow her on Instagram or contact her at Kitchen Studio. Her expertise in creating beautiful and functional spaces is evident in every detail of her work.
Instagram: @delwynmcclennandesign
Instagram: @kitchenstudiowaikato
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For those in the process, or considering renovating their kitchen, connect with us at Floorboards. We have a large range of kitchen floors and can help you narrow your selection to ensure you have a good quality kitchen floor that's E3/AS1 code compliant and long lasting.
Hamilton & Waikato
Phone: 07 959 1861
Showroom: Level 1, 79 Church Road, Hamilton
Tauranga & Bay of Plenty
Phone: 021 977 548
Free in-home measure and quotes
