Interiors

A Mid-Century-Inspired Kitchen For Entertaining In Style

Until recently, the rooms in this South Australian home were dark and poky — hardly conducive to entertaining friends, listening to music, mixing drinks, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

With these goals in mind, SpaceCraft Joinery reconfigured the floor plan to achieve a more open and generous home.

The client’s existing mid-century furniture inspired the materials, softened by quartzite bench tops and a clever elevated garden bed.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
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|
Styling
by

SpaceCraft Joinery reconfigured the floor plan of this South Australian home to achieve a more open and generous space.

Previously separate kitchen, living, and dining rooms were turned into one open space.

Handmade handles inspired by Parker Furniture’s 1960s cat’s eye design.

An elevated garden bed cleverly conceals exposed steel beams.

The garden bed invites greenery of the home, referencing the look of original mid-century houses.

Material selections were driven by the client’s existing mid-century furniture.

Tasmanian oak stained cabinet fronts on the joinery.

Dimensional kit kat tiles and durable quartzite bench tops contrast with the timber.

The living room joinery includes a high shelf specifically to display the clients’ series of handblown glass pieces by Hot Haus.

The living room joinery incorporates large speakers.

Rounded edges soften the joinery and ensure flowing walk ways.

Writer
Amelia Barnes
Styling
2nd of October 2025
Design & build
Location

South Australia/Kaurna Country

The owners lived in this home for 20 years before embarking on a renovation. After two decades, it was time to finally unlock the home’s true potential, providing better capacity to entertain and relax.

Nathan Wundersitz, founder and design director at SpaceCraft Joinery, says the client’s clear direction made their job easy. They wanted a more open living space; a thoughtful integration of appliances, speakers, and existing decor (particularly a series of handblown glass pieces by Hot Haus); and materials with ‘warm mid-century soul’.

The layout needed to flow effortlessly — like it had always belonged in their home of 20 years.

SpaceCraft Joinery removed a wall to reconfigure the floor plan, turning the previously separate kitchen, living, and dining rooms into one open space. New southern and western windows were also added to capture more natural light and ocean views.

Material selections were driven by the client’s existing mid-century furniture and desire for a timeless space. ‘Lived in yet refined, with surfaces tough enough for everyday living’, was the vision, says Nathan.

Handmade handles across the joinery are inspired by Parker Furniture’s 1960s cat’s eye design, paired with Tasmanian oak stained cabinet fronts, dimensional kit kat tiles, and durable quartzite bench tops.

Nathan says the biggest challenge of the project was softening the home’s exposed steel beams (required to maintain its structural integrity). SpaceCraft Joinery cleverly concealed these with an elevated garden bed that invites greenery of the home, again referencing the look of original mid-century houses. ‘Automated irrigation ensures ease of use and maintenance,’ says Nathan. ‘It’s a real wow-factor architectural feature.’

The cohesive renovation has changed how the clients live, fulfilling every item on their wishlist to entertain, cook, and unwind in style.

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