Add colour and character to your kitchen with the gentle patterns of a classic wallpaper.

 
WORDS ROSANNE PEACH STYLING WENDY BANNISTER PHOTOGRAPHY GORTA YUUKI

At first glance, this bright white kitchen with panels of timber veneer fits neatly into the chic end of the spectrum, but peek around the corner and you'll discover there's more to this space than meets the eye. Gorgeous wallpaper takes it from standard to special. It's exactly what the owners of this Melbourne house had in mind when they handed interior designer Fiona Lynch their brief. "They wanted a customised look rather than just a bank of cupboards," says Fiona. "As both are keen cooks, it's important the room acts as the hub of the home."

Fiona started with the bones of the renovation, creating a galley layout to make the most of the available space, converting the area under the stairs into a roomy walk-in pantry. Concerned about the safety of their tiny tots, the owners were also keen to have just one entry point, a clever way of keeping an eye on who wanders into the space.

Facing the sink into the living area means the cooks are always part of the family action. "It's an awful feeling having your back to everyone while you're doing the dishes," says Fiona, who makes it a rule to never have the sink facing a wall. Even the cooking area enjoys a lovely view out to an internal courtyard. "In the original plans, there was just a small window beside the cooktop, but I convinced them to turn it into a floor-to-ceiling window – it lets in such wonderful natural light," says Fiona.

The room's most striking feature is the shimmering wall of Florence Broadhurst 'Floral 100' wallpaper. "I wanted to create a young kitchen and chose fresh finishes to suit," explains Fiona. Japanese Sen Ash veneer adds warmth and the interest of a beautiful grain. The great news, reveals Fiona, is that the veneer is very budget-friendly, as is the vinyl-wrapped cabinetry in antique white. The savings meant there was enough left to stretch the $20,000 budget to include stone – Quantum Quartz from National Tiles Design – for benchtops and the splashback. The result is anything but ordinary.

For more information, contact interior designer Fiona Lynch on 0404 039 785.

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