Jane Todd with her dog Pug in her new Maleny kitchen with Range cabinet maker, Paul Randall
INSTALLING a new kitchen into an old house can be daunting even to the most determined renovators. The disruption to normal life is enormous and the cost seems to spiral out of control. Fortunately for Jane Todd, who lives in a quaint Queenslander in Maleny, she found local cabinetmaker Paul Randall whose calming demeanour took the angst out of renovation.
Jane, who has lived in her house for seven years, had slowly re-decorated it herself, and she was ready to install a more modern and a more functional kitchen.
“It was fairly tatty with an awful old upright stove. Some of the cupboard doors wouldn’t close and the workbench was dated and marked”, says Jane.
As a busy proof reader of academic theses, and a tutor in editing at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Jane didn’t really have the time to wander around showrooms selecting the many elements of a modern kitchen.
This is a scenario Paul is used to. “I could see that Jane needed some guidance”, he says, “but I didn’t want to impose too much. So I gave her some ideas to play with, like not too many colour samples for the bench tops.”
Most of the cupboard carcases have been retained as well as the burgundy tiles around the workbench and sink. Paul simply replaced old wooden panels with cream melamine. New cupboard doors, pot drawers and kickboards add the fresh and modern facelift the kitchen needed.
Paul also advised on stove and range hood options, and suggested new mixer and water filter taps. Jane had no need to chase tradesmen as Paul also coordinated the plumber and electrician.
Trained in the UK, Paul prefers to do makeovers and restorations particularly of kitchens, vanities, wardrobes and built-in furniture – in fact projects where the high cost of building makes it economical to do a makeover.
Jane is delighted with a new kitchen that hasn’t ‘broken the bank’ and adds a refreshing new aspect to her heritage Queenslander.
May 22nd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Hi Paul
I would like a quote to put wardrobe like cupboards in my garage. Please email if interested.
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