My Kitchen Renovation: Everything You Asked For

Written By Jacqui Toumbas

A kitchen made for cooking, content, and connection.

I bought my apartment in 2014, right before I opened my first business, Miss Bliss, my little wholefoods café in West End. It was a chaotic but exciting time. I moved in quickly, set myself up, and before I knew it, the café was open and life was full steam ahead.

For the first five years, there was no time to think about renovating. I made do with the kitchen I had and while it had charm, it wasn’t practical. Especially not for someone who lives to cook and loves to entertain.

Part of the reason I chose this apartment was because my Yiayia and Bapou lived just downstairs on Level One. As they were getting older, I wanted to be close. When this place came up for sale, it felt like a sign and honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The relationship I’ve built with my grandparents during these years is something I’ll treasure forever.

Fast forward to 2020, I sold my café, unsure of what the next chapter looked like. But once the sale settled, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: build my dream kitchen. Not just for cooking or creating content, but for hosting, sharing meals, and creating moments with the people I love. I wanted my Yiayia to be able to just sit and enjoy, without needing to cook or clean for all of us.

So, like any good project, it all started with a Pinterest board.

The vision? Earthy, tonal, and timeless, a calming backdrop that would work for filming, but could be styled and shifted as seasons and moods changed. I wanted storage for my props, bench space big enough to roll out filo, and a butler’s pantry that flowed out to the balcony, perfect for those warm Queensland summer BBQs.

But more than anything, I wanted a space that felt like me. A kitchen that would host laughter, stories, and memories, with family around the table and good food always on the stove.

I’m going to share all my tips, secrets, trades, and resources, in the hopes it inspires you to create your own dream space to cook, connect, and make memories with the people you love most.

AFTER

This still makes me smile every time I walk into the room, I’m genuinely so proud of every choice I made. I built a wall to create a butler’s pantry, which now holds my double sink, fridge, dishwasher, and pantry, keeping the main space clean and clutter-free. Out the front, I went with a huge island bench, perfect for hosting and prep, with a vegetable sink tucked to the side. I chose not to have overhead cabinetry or an exposed exhaust to keep the space open and airy, and added a single floating shelf that I restyle depending on the season or shoot. It’s calm, considered, and completely me.

BEFORE

This is the before. Not bad, not horrible, just not me, and definitely not what I imagined for my forever home. The colours were dark and heavy, and the sink sat right in the middle of the island bench, leaving barely any prep space. On the far left, you’ll spot a built-in desk, technically meant to be a dining area, but it couldn’t even fit a four-seater table, so it was pretty much wasted space. That’s where I decided to build a wall and create my butler’s pantry, one of the best decisions of the whole reno.

Vision & Moodboard

I had a clear vision: a space that was both practical and beautiful. After building several commercial kitchens, I knew functionality had to come first, not just for cooking, but for entertaining too. I wanted a layout that worked intuitively, with finishes that felt warm, earthy, and timeless. I enlisted the help of Hayley from Archie Bolden, who was incredible at refining the design, sourcing the perfect finishes, and making sure every detail was as functional as it was beautiful.

Favourite Features

  • BORA Pure Cooktop – built-in ventilation means no overhead exhaust, keeping the space open and minimal.

  • BLUM Space Tower Pantry – a game-changer for organisation and easy access.

  • BLUM Servo-Drive Bin Drawer – hands-free and hidden, perfect for busy cooking days.

  • Rattan Handles – added to the front-facing drawers for a soft, textural detail that ties in beautifully with the earthy palette.

  • Maximum Australia Porcelain Benchtop – durable, heat-resistant, and stunning. It’s been the perfect canvas for both cooking and content.

Trades

I worked with an amazing team to bring this kitchen to life. CBC Projects managed the full kitchen renovation and coordinated all the trades, which made the entire process smooth and stress-free.

All the custom cabinetry was done by iMake Interiors — they brought every detail of the design to life with such precision. For electrical and LED lighting, I worked with TI Services, who nailed the lighting plan and created the perfect mood throughout the space. CBL Tiling did a beautiful job on the floors and splashback, bringing texture and warmth to the space.

Key Details & Product Links

Cabinetry

Custom cabinetry by iMake Interiors

  • Product: Polytec

  • Colour: Prime Oak

    I went with a custom shaker-style door, not something you can order straight off the shelf. My cabinet maker created these by routing the outer frame into two sheets of 16mm Prime Oak board, then inserting another strip of board into the frame for structure.

Hardware by BLUM Australia

When it comes to kitchen hardware, it’s often overlooked, because you don’t see it. But trust me, it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make. I used Blum Australia throughout my kitchen and it completely changed the way the space functions.

I went with the LEGRABOX system for all my drawers, they’re soft-close, sleek, and can hold a serious amount of weight (ideal for all my ceramics and cookware). My pantry runs on the Blum SPACE TOWER, which makes everything easy to access and beautifully organised. I also added a servo-drive bin drawer (touch-to-open = game changer), and a push-out shelf drawer for my KitchenAid so it can tuck away neatly when not in use.

One of my biggest recommendations? Book a consultation at your local Blum showroom. They offer a “test drive” using modular benches on wheels so you can lay out your kitchen and test the flow. It was a game changer in helping me design a space that wasn’t just beautiful, but incredibly practical too.

Cavity Door

Custom cavity door by iMake Interiors.

  • Product: Polytec (frame) Metal Draught Jute (rattan insert)

  • Colour: Prime Oak (frame)

    The rattan mesh doors were completely custom too, they routed the space for the mesh insert, hand-edged it, glued it all together, and then edged the outside again to give the illusion of one solid, seamless piece. I used a Metal Draught Jute mesh from Dale Malcolm (610mm roll width), chosen not just for its warm, earthy look but also for its practicality. It’s featured on the door between the butler’s pantry and the main kitchen, when entertaining, I open the servery window. The mesh allows airflow while keeping flies out of the main house. It was a labour of love, and the final result is something truly special.

Benchtops

Front Kitchen

  • Product: Maximum Australia (sourced from Artedomus)

  • Colour: Bright Onyx

    I chose porcelain slabs by MAXIMUM Australia for their seamless look, durability, and low maintenance. The large format meant fewer joins (hello, clean lines!), and the surface is scratch, heat, and stain resistant, perfect for a busy kitchen. Made from 100% natural materials, they’re also UV stable and antibacterial. Beautiful and functional.

Butlers Pantry

  • Product: Cesar Stone

  • Colour: Cloudburst Concrete

    For the butler’s pantry, I chose Cloudburst Concrete, it had the look I wanted and was more budget-friendly than the porcelain. It also worked better for the outdoor servery window extension, thanks to its thickness and easier install. A practical choice that still tied in beautifully with the overall design.

Sinks

Tapware

Tiles

Appliances

  • Refrigerator: 90cm Series 7 Integrated French Door Refrigerator Freezer

  • Oven: Smeg 90cm Classic Aesthetic Pyrolytic Built-In Oven

  • Cooktop/ exhaust: Bora Pure 76cm Induction Cooktop with Integrated Cooktop Extractor

  • Dishwasher: Bosch 60cm Series 6 Fully Integrated Dishwasher

Handles

  • Butlers: Lo & Co Lincoln Pull Brass, 130mm/ 260mm

  • Front Kitchen: N/A company has closed down

Jacqui Toumbas
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How to Host the Perfect Summer Lunch