Functional Elegance | Affordable Modern Living
When Steven and Pauline welcomed us into their Bentleigh East home, it felt like stepping into a cosy English haven — warm, inviting, and steeped in memories. However daily use of the kitchen over the years, meant the room was yearning for some tender loving care... It felt outdated for their ever evolving culinary needs, and so Steven and Pauline were on a mission to catapult it into Modernity with a bang.
Designing a kitchen on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on style or functionality, especially with our dream team Jordan & Kirstin Sweet at the helm. For this renovation project, we focused on thoughtful, affordable choices that brought their vision to life without breaking the bank.
Using high-quality laminates for the cabinetry and benchtops, we achieved a sleek, modern look that feels both airy and inviting. Each design decision was made with purpose, from Polytec’s Oyster Grey cabinetry to the Calacatta Grey Matera benchtops, which emulates the elegance of stone at a fraction of the cost. Moroccan Zellige tiles invite a touch of artisan charm, and by reusing existing appliances, we maximised value without sacrificing quality.
The redesign focused on increasing storage and enhancing the kitchen’s layout to make both cooking and socialising a breeze. By reconfiguring the space and removing an unnecessary walkway, Jordan expanded the usability of every square inch, turning this kitchen into an efficient, well-organised hub.
No detail was overlooked, with sophisticated solutions like the Hafele LeMans II corner unit converting previously awkward nooks into valuable, accessible storage. The addition of Blum Antaro soft-close drawers offers seamless, quiet access and effectively doubles stacking capacity for beloved pots and pans.
The result is a light-filled, spacious kitchen that reflects Steven and Pauline’s love for cooking and offers all the convenience they need, proving that with the right choices, even budget-friendly designs can be beautifully transformative.
Before & After
Scroll through to see the kitchen transformation…
“We’d been thinking about this kitchen upgrade for years, but finding Wood Wizards was like a breath of fresh air. Jordan came over, and we felt at ease from the start — no pressure, just genuine guidance. The team was professional, friendly, and made every effort to meet our needs and work with the budget we had. It’s rare nowadays to find that old-fashioned customer service, but Wood Wizards delivered. We can’t believe how much space we have now. It’s truly the best decision we’ve made for our home!”
Love the look? Scroll through the Bentleigh East renovation…
Project Details
Price Guide
Kitchen Cabinetry & Benchtops $30,000 - $35,000
Prices are an estimate for cabinetry only, including pull-out and 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
Style Haus Interior Design by Kirstin Sweet
Polytec Oyster Grey Matt laminate
Polytec Calacutta Grey Matera laminate benchtops
Blum Antaro soft close drawers and Orgaline container sets
Hafele One2Four Bin and LeMans II corner unit
Lincoln Sentry Modar Angolo handles in Black
E&S appliances
Bosch induction cooktop and rangehood
Westinghouse ovens
Tile Fusion Moroccan Zellige tiles