Coastal Charm in Brighton
Modern elegance, timeless heritage, and one wizardly transformation
When Zoe and Harold returned from life overseas and finally settled back into their Brighton home, it wasn’t with haste that they made changes. In fact, they chose to live in the house for two full years before even thinking about picking up a hammer. Because when a home already has good bones and a whisper of character, the key is to live within it long enough to hear what it wants to become.
Zoe, however, knew her kitchen had to change. The original mid-80s U-shape was tired, clunky and, in her words, ‘dangerous’. Chipping cabinets and sharp edges made even the simplest tasks a hazard. But instead of framing the renovation as a rescue mission, Zoe saw it as a rebirth. And the magic that unfolded is anything but ordinary.
Kindred spirits and kitchen dreams
Zoe had done her homework. She knew what she wanted: clean lines, effortless functionality, and a design that honoured the heritage of their Brighton beauty without feeling overdone. She’d spoken with other businesses, even toyed with the idea of using a separate designer -but when she stumbled upon the Wood Wizards showroom and scrolled through this very website, she felt an immediate connection.
The fact that we were local, family-run, and deeply entwined in the Bayside community helped, but it was our collaboration-first approach that truly won her over. Enter Jordan, our lead designer, and Kirstin, our interiors sorceress. Together, they got it. No hard sell, no pressure. Just clarity, vision, and a shared love of timeless style.
*Hot Tip*
If you’ve got a vision (or even half of one), don’t be afraid to speak up. The right team will listen, collaborate, and elevate your ideas… not steer you away from them.
Before & After
A new island of calm
The transformation started with one bold decision: replacing the dated U-shaped layout with a central island. For Zoe and Harold, this was a game-changer. Suddenly, the kitchen wasn’t a place you had to navigate, it was a space that welcomed you in.
The island, topped with Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Cascade benchtops, is the beating heart of the kitchen. It now comfortably accommodates family and friends, making it as much a social hub as it is a culinary one. LED strip lighting underneath the overhead cabinets and island bench adds a soft glow in the evenings, doubling as a nightlight and creating that coveted mood you always see in luxury magazines.
Zoe opted to place the Hafele Hailo Euro Cargo ST60 bin inside the island for practicality, keeping waste disposal within arm’s reach of her preferred prepping zone. As for the seating, Design By Them Bobby Counter Stools provide both comfort and understated coastal style. Inviting you to sit back, relax, and unwind.
Coastal elegance, reimagined
Originally dreaming of a coastal farmhouse aesthetic, Zoe found herself gravitating towards a more refined take: modern coastal elegance with a Hamptons twist. Kirstin helped steer that ship with a few perfect choices. Together, for the island bench they opted for Polytec Boston Oak laminate for added warmth and to complement the home’s existing floors.
For cabinetry, a beautiful blend of Polytec Malabar thermolaminate and Polytec 2-pack flat profiles in Gossamer White created depth and subtle contrast. The Malabar profile, a new and more modernised take on the classic Shaker, was a brave and inspired choice - thin borders, clean lines, and just enough detail to hint at tradition while embracing the now.
The Gossamer White shade itself is a warm, slightly greyed white that ties in effortlessly with the porcelain surfaces and existing wall colour, without feeling cold or clinical. As for the jewellery of the kitchen, the Passio Bevan Solid Brass Handles in Bronze were the ultimate finishing touch - especially the tight cluster of four T-bars on the pantry, a little design moment that makes Zoe smile every day.
Storage spells and statement shelves
Inside the cabinetry, Blum TANDEMBOX antaro drawers and ORGA-LINE container sets keep everything perfectly in its place. While floating shelves sit elegantly above the benchtops, allowing for open display while maintaining the kitchen's airy, uncluttered vibe. With ceilings soaring beautifully above, we seized the opportunity to take the porcelain splashback all the way up behind the shelves - a design feature that gives the entire room a sense of grandeur.
Zoe particularly loves the function of her new NEFF appliances, sourced from our trusted partners e&s. While she originally leaned toward gas, a last-minute decision to go electric with the NEFF oven and cooktop was a win for both style and cleaning ease. The Franke EOS Neo Mixer tap and double bowl sink were thoughtful additions, blending seamlessly with the aesthetic while ticking every functional box.
Harold, initially tentative about the project, has become one of its biggest fans. For him, the kitchen needed to work – to flow, to function, to make sense. The result? A space that feels good to move in, with the right clearances and layout that suits how they live down to the ground. So much so, the couple has appointed Wood Wizards again to renovate their second home in Frankston South... watch this space!
The (not-so) humble wall unit
While the kitchen took centre stage, there was another area begging for attention. An unused nook in the family room had long been a waste of space (um… who can relate?!), and Zoe saw potential. She wanted something that could hold coats, laptops, shoes, wine glasses… a mudroom, study nook and secret bar, all rolled into one.
Jordan took on the challenge and designed a custom wall unit that now complements the kitchen exquisitely. It anchors the open plan space, reveals itself slowly as you walk through the hallway, and feels entirely intentional - as though it was always meant to be there.
*Hot Tip*
Have a spot in your home that feels forgotten? Don’t ignore it… embrace it. Often, these dead zones can become your favourite areas with the right design magic. A clever storage solution or a multi-purpose nook can work wonders in the daily rhythm of a household.
A little bit of wizardry goes a long way
What made this project truly special wasn’t just the cabinetry, splashbacks or lighting (although all of those things were beautifully executed). It was the way everything came together - a shared vision between Zoe, Harold, and the Wood Wizards team.
From the early design discussions with Jordan to the colour consults with Kirstin, and onto the smooth demo and build led by Darko and our trusted trades, it was a renovation grounded in collaboration, care and expert craftsmanship. Zoe described the team as "efficient, knowledgeable, and upfront" and we couldn’t be prouder to hear it.
Now, as evening sun filters through the kitchen windows and soft lighting bounces gently off the porcelain and brass, Zoe and Harold can enjoy their home exactly as it was meant to be: functional, elegant, welcoming, and unmistakably them.
And if you ask us? That’s where the real magic lies. Get in touch with us to book in your kitchen consultation about how we can make your vision a reality.
Call us on (03) 9557 2988, and let's get started.
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“We had a 5 star experience with the team at Wood Wizards starting with Jordan and Kirstin with the kitchen design consultation right through to Darko, Jason and Jennifer on the install and logistics. The end result is a beautiful functional kitchen that we all love and we are so happy to support a wonderful and trustworthy local business.”
Project Details
Price Guide
Kitchen Cabinetry $35,000 to $40,000
Kitchen Benchtops & Splashbacks $10,000 to $12,000
Prices are an estimate for cabinetry or stone only, including installation. Please view The Budget Checklist for further details on the various elements involved in a kitchen renovation – we will quote your total investment including trades following your initial design consultation.
Products, Partners & Suppliers
Hafele Hailo Euro Cargo ST60 bin and strip lights
The Porcelain Factory Enviro 12 Cascade benchtops and splashbacks
E&S appliances
NEFF oven, cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher
Franke EOS Neo Mixer tap and Double Bowl sink
Design By Them Bobby Counter Stool
Life Interiors desk chairs