Modern Kitchen Renovation Magic in Mango Hill

An Interview with the MKN Designer From This Project – Megan

Modern Magic in Mango Hill

For Ricky and Alison from Mango Hill, their existing U-shaped kitchen felt closed in and lacked the openness they wanted in their home. The space sat in a corner of the house near glass doors, but with no external windows, the kitchen often felt dark and boxed in.

"They wanted an island and they really wanted it to feel more bright and open," said Megan from Modern Kitchens Northside. "Because the kitchen only had one entry point, and the fridge sat right in that doorway, someone standing at the fridge would block the whole space. It wasn't practical at all."

The goal was clear: create a modern, airy kitchen with better flow, more usable space, and a layout that made sense for family life and entertaining.

From U-Shape to a Functional, Flowing Layout

Switching from a U-shaped layout to an island made a dramatic difference. "By adding an island instead of keeping the U shape, we created two entry and exit points," Megan explained. "You never get stuck in there now."

This renovation was part of a larger makeover, with the clients also redoing bathrooms and installing polished concrete flooring throughout the home. With such a fresh base, the kitchen needed to match the style and feel of the new interior.

A Sleek, Warm, Modern Design

The design vision came together quickly. "They wanted it quite modern and sleek," said Megan. "The room is actually pretty large, so I didn't want the island to feel too small. We went for a nice, big chunky island with L-shaped seating so people can sit around two sides of it instead of all in a row."

The clients leaned toward warm tones, so Megan pulled the palette in that direction. "They didn't want anything too cold or sterile," she said. "We chose a creamy colour, I think it was Parchment Alpaca, just to keep the warmth in the space."

Working with a builder, the team removed the original builder's pantry and a bulky bulkhead above it to open up the space even further. "Once that was gone, it just felt so much lighter," Megan said.

Thoughtful Material Choices & Elegant Details

The standout material in this kitchen is the Caesarstone Brillianza benchtop. "It has a beautiful creamy background with white and almost coppery veins through it," said Megan. "It worked perfectly with the warm palette."

The splashback is a smoky grey mirror coat glass, chosen for its ability to reflect light and make the kitchen feel larger. The design also features:

• Handleless cabinetry for a clean, modern look
  
• Chunky natural Halifax oak floating shelves
  
• Matching floating shelves in the small appliance zone
  
• L-shaped island seating for better everyday functionality
  

"The mirror splashback is great because it reflects the outside," Megan added. "It makes the whole room appear bigger."

A Stunning Result With a Warm, Natural Touch

Ricky and Alison were thrilled with their new kitchen. "They absolutely love it," said Megan. "It's modern, bright, and functional, exactly what they wanted."

When asked what her favourite detail was, Megan didn't hesitate. "The natural Halifax oak shelves," she said. "The one on the end softens the run of overheads beautifully, and the matching shelf in the small appliance zone is perfect for tea and coffee canisters. It's those small touches that bring so much warmth to the design."