The proprietor of Hannan Home 2 had already spent ‘years’ restoring the modernist dwelling earlier than lately participating inside design follow Alexi Robinson Studio to transform the kitchen — the ultimate piece that will assist deliver the endearing dwelling into the twenty first century.

He purchased the house in 2016 however had developed an affinity for the property lengthy earlier than, having grown up in the home subsequent door, generally known as Hannan Home 1. Each houses have been initially owned and created by artist Shirley Hannan, who’s eclectic and inventive contact crammed them with appeal. Her bespoke copper fittings and fixtures are the proper counterpart for Hannan Home 2’s rustic-faced brick and timber particulars, all of which the proprietor was cautious to keep up for the house’s subsequent chapter.

‘Since buying the property, the proprietor had labored to protect the constructing in as near its pure state as doable,’ director and founder Alexi Robinson says. ‘Nonetheless, updates have been wanted to enhance thermal consolation, power effectivity and underperforming areas such because the kitchen.’

They retained the construction of the prevailing ‘modest sized kitchen’, with its separate breakfast desk and tall cabinets framing a servery to the adjoining eating room. The temporary was centered on championing the unique supplies, which lead Alexi down a ‘delicate journey’ of working round what was already there.

It was missing storage, and the U-shape format meant cooking occurred within the nook of the room going through the wall. The brand new design has been rigorously reconfigured to face in direction of a set of glass doorways, capturing a view of the house’s protected courtyard and Japanese-inspired waterfall. This made approach for brand new joinery, whereas widening the kitchen doorway additionally allowed these sitting on the island bench to look out to the pool.

‘Copper ceiling lights have been left untouched, and the situation of Shirley’s metallic pendant gentle was tailored barely to mirror the brand new format,’ she provides.

‘Remaining true to the spirit of Palliser’s design, timber veneer and copper and bronze fittings have been chosen with some deviation in timber species to realize a richer, hotter tone — the unique kitchen had black honed granite benchtops and dark-stained timber veneer which collectively felt heavy within the house.’

This was changed with a particular breccia-veined marble with earthy blush and olive tones, that contrasts superbly towards the earthy supplies as the sunshine modifications all through the day.

These considerate modifications have helped the kitchen ‘evolve from a spot to cook dinner and serve’ right into a extra inviting, integral a part of the house, with out dropping contact with it’s mid-century roots. And it solely took three months to finish the renovations.

‘One of the simplest ways to protect mid-century houses it to make them habitable by at the moment’s requirements,’ Alexi says, noting how essential it’s that Hannan Home 2 has additionally been reshaped to match the proprietor’s life-style, as ‘an Italian who likes to cook dinner’.

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