The Vortex Kitchen Island: Heart of Our Coastal Home
My favourite place to be in Dodges Ferry is my family’s kitchen, the heart of our home. But that feeling wasn’t always there. The house felt scattered and disconnected, and our family dynamic was missing something. I thought a lot about what was getting in the way of our dynamic and realised the house was missing something to make it flow better. It was missing a vortex, an area to revolve around, a place that would create better circulation and movement, so it seemed only natural to start the design with that in mind. The challenge then became about mimicking a vortex in our home.
In my mind, the kitchen island became that point in the whole house where everything would revolve around. Beyond cooking and food preparing the island should aim to become the go to place for circulation, conversations, family dynamics, getting in and out of the house, hosting guests, learning, and for hobbies. The intent was to have flow and openness to all areas of the house always connecting my family and improving flow.
Upcycled Meets Contemporary for a Timeless Feel
Since the design was now about a vortex and not about new finishes, the first challenge was transforming the kitchen while keeping it in place and intact. A big ask. So, I set up to create an upcycled kitchen design not a break and start from scratch design.
In kitchens, the fridge is usually the biggest piece of furniture, so I enjoyed moving it around to feel how the space would change. We physically moved it everywhere until we found the ideal spot for it. This simple change made a world of difference to increase flow and make the kitchen space feel bigger.
Next, we added a central island table, doubling our countertop space. Underneath, we used an upcycled storage unit we found on the street during a council cleanup and painted it a soft light blue. This color reminds me of a trip to Aix-en-Provence in France, where I fell in love with the romantic and laid back French provincial style. The technique of whitewashing we used for painting is one we’ve used in all of our timber furniture. It gives a timeless feel and helps unify all our timber furniture pieces regardless of the wood type, style, colour, and age.
To enhance this look, we chose to keep and add vintage-inspired hardware and fixtures like the timber pulls. My husband did an amazing job crafting the island to match our existing kitchen cabinetry, the upcycled storage unit, and our dining table. He found online these beautiful midcentury turned table legs and added extensions to raise the height and castor wheels to make it moveable for cleaning days. The island faces the living room and has two tall stools, making it a perfect spot for casual meals and hanging out.
As a house designer passionate about preserving heritage and romance, I kept the original kitchen structures to maintain the house charm and timeless feel. Natural materials were key: original and new timber cabinetry and cotton canvas cushions in a light delicate mocha for a soft touch. We painted the existing lower cabinets a dark, deep elegant blue and the top ones white to blend with the timber-clad white walls. The dark blue complements the dark floor, while the original green countertops, now a minor feature, don’t call for attention. The island is now the star of the kitchen, drawing everyone’s eye.
The existing windows are large and airy, overlooking the garden on one side and the bay on the other. One of them is a sliding door flooding the room with natural light and creating a seamless connection with nature. This sliding door was a gift from our neighbours while they were renovating their house. Both our houses might have been built around the same time by the same builder and the sliding doors look as if they were always part of our kitchen. And with the added delicate floor to ceiling S-fold white-greyish linen curtains, hand-sewn at home, we are able to soften the strong Tasmanian sun without losing that delicious, happy light.
Natural Materials for a Fresh Coastal Feel
Choosing natural materials like timber, wood, cotton, and linen textiles was essential for creating a warm, inviting space. These materials not only look beautiful but also promote sustainability. Preserving existing furniture and cabinets was crucial for reducing wasted materials, maintaining the kitchen’s heritage, and staying within timeframe and budget. And upcycling furniture added personality and uniqueness to the design, making it truly one-of-a-kind.
With its architectural coastal cottage and French provincial influences, the organic and romantic elements make a statement in our kitchen while feeling incredibly warm and inviting.
The mélange of different timbers with their unique details, the upcycled under-table cabinetry, and the dark grey and brown stone floors all come together to create this dynamic epicenter of our home. The island vortex effect has changed our family dynamics in ways we continue to experience and enjoy. It’s made us all want to spend more time making daily home meals as we get to enjoy the others walking through while we cook, bake, clean, or wash dishes. We get to see everything and everyone while in front and around the kitchen island. Physics worked.
Your Turn to Create
Now, it’s your turn to think like an interior designer. Look around your kitchen and see how you transform it using what you already have. Embrace the charm of natural materials, preserve the history of your furniture, and add your personal touch through upcycling. Happy designing!
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