Tanya's Kitchen Renovation In Warner – Where Elegance Meets Innovation

An Interview with the MKN Designer From This Project Megan

Where Elegance Meets Innovation

Located in Warner, this kitchen renovation is a perfect example of how thoughtful design can completely transform a space. The client, Tanya, wanted to refresh her old kitchen, which felt dated and lacked both storage and natural light.

"She wanted to update her old and tired kitchen into something lighter and brighter," said Megan, the MKN designer behind the project. "There's a splashback window there, but because there's a fence right behind it, not a lot of natural light comes through. So she wanted to keep everything fresh, bright and open."

From Dated to Timeless

Before the renovation, Tanya's kitchen had a large 90cm upright cooker positioned under the window and minimal cabinetry. "She didn't have enough storage or usable space," Megan explained. "We removed the old upright cooker and replaced it with a double wall oven tower, which gave her extra drawers and better organisation. It also created a spot for the microwave, so everything now has its place."

The old layout also lacked upper storage. "Previously, she only had a few overheads on either side of the range hood," said Megan. "We added a full bank of overhead cupboards and included glass display cabinets with LED lighting so she could showcase her favourite pieces while keeping everything practical."

Light, Bright and Beautifully Balanced

The design goal was to make the kitchen feel lighter without changing the footprint. "We kept the flooring, so we worked within the same layout," Megan said. "The mirrored splashback reflects light beautifully, which makes the whole kitchen feel more open and airy. Everything was designed to stay symmetrical around the splashback window."

The colour palette is soft and refined, balancing cool tones with warmth and texture. The Smartstone Calacatta Bianco benchtops bring a luxurious marble look, while the two-pack cabinetry keeps the design clean and timeless.

"It's such a beautiful product," said Megan. "It's a sintered stone, so it's heat-proof and completely UV-stable. That was really important because of the splashback window; with a lot of sunlight coming through, standard engineered stone can slightly yellow over time. By choosing this material, she'll never have to worry about discolouration."

Clever Storage With Everyday Functionality

Alongside its elegant finishes, this kitchen is filled with clever design details. "We added inner pantry drawers to make better use of the space," Megan said. "There's also a double soft-close bin system, a blind-corner pull-out, and LED strip lighting underneath the overheads to brighten the work areas."

Tanya also wanted a dedicated spot for everyday cooking essentials. "We built a small pull-out oil and spice rack beside the cooking zone," Megan explained. "It keeps everything she uses most within easy reach, small details like that make a big difference."

Elegant, Innovative, and Easy to Love

The result is a kitchen that feels both classic and modern, a space that's light, functional, and beautifully balanced. "She was really happy with how it turned out," Megan said. "She said it looked classy and elegant, and it's nice and bright now with so much more usable storage."

When asked about her favourite feature, Megan didn't hesitate. "The waterfall end," she said. "The way the veining in the benchtop continues down the side, it's book-matched perfectly, and it just looks stunning. It really finishes the whole design beautifully."