Cutshop® features on Grand Designs!
When architect Felicity Brenchley and husband Callum made the decision to swap the Auckland bustle for the gentle pace of life in the countryside it was a given that she would also mastermind the design of their new home.
The home situated down a steep driveway and carved into the hillside has been a labour of love. Positioned for shelter and warmth – and the views - from the back deck the sweeping valley view of rural, rugged green stretches as far as the eye can see till the Mahurangi Harbour reveals its deep blue footprint.
So stunning and unique is this home it was recently featured on TVNZ Grand Designs. Grand Designs followed their journey, with Cutshop® premiering as the partner of choice for architect Felicity.
For Felicity – working with Cutshop® was one of the easiest and earliest decisions made - even before the first shovel of earth was disturbed.
“I have worked with Cutshop® now for many projects, three of my own kitchens and seven kitchens for clients. We were always going to work with Cutshop® and this project was no different”
Having first stumbled upon Cutshop® ten years ago Felicity realised the potential of what she could achieve for herself and clients in terms of being able to design for very specific requirements with a much shorter project timeframe.
Being able to install smartly therefore cutting costs associated with time blowouts – consequently resulting in labour costs being significantly cut is a real drawcard for those DIYers she explains.
The vision for the kitchen was to achieve a calm feeling with simple forms, with the concept that the kitchen be simply a backdrop to their family life. Shaping this was incorporating beautiful gentle curves drawn from outside where the circular swimming pool (reincarnated from a water tank) inspired a movement of curved elements into the home.
Taking the stage on entrance to the kitchen is the showstopping island which features a Cutshop®- built structure designed by Felicity, finished in an ebony natural stain product by hand. Its unique curvature and black panelling were also completed by hand and the beautiful white
Caesarstone top complements the intricately tiled splashback. The aged look brass handles throughout the kitchen were designed by her mother, a silversmith based in Christchurch. “Yes, it runs in the family”, laughs Felicity, “But it is really special having her involvement in the home’.
Perhaps one of the most pleasing aesthetics is the Cutshop® cabinetry throughout the kitchen and the rest of the home.
“We went with American oak veneer throughout, it’s amazing quality and has such a beautiful grain. Again we stained this from its original white yellow-honey to the look we have now. It has worked beautifully against the ceiling timber panelling, we couldn’t be happier with the final look.”
In terms of stages of the project, the under-bench carcasses arrived first in early January, the veneer panelling came in April and the staining took a week, ‘It was quite the job!’ laughs Felicity.
“Once the panelling arrived we threw ourselves at it – everything must go in a sequence and it is a bit of a job but generally it took maybe a couple of weeks to fit everything into place”
Cutshop® provided plenty of options for hardware and Felicity used Blum for materials and hinges for drawers. Plywood was used for the kitchen and laundry as it is more sustainable and durable with its degree of water resistance.
Working with Cutshop® has enabled a range of unique design features to truly capture the essence of simplified living with smart concepts.
The floating shelf in the bathroom (one of the 33 prepared by Cutshop®) has a set of cleverly designed slots cut into the shelf to drape handtowels and flannels to air dry, and the gorgeous snug has an elongated cabinet so all cables, speakers and family items can be concealed away.
As a regular client of Cutshop® Felicity extends praise for their service, and highly recommends them to anyone wanting to DIY who have a vision and a plan.
Working with Cutshop® has enabled the Brenchley family to prioritse quality materials as labour costs are less than what a traditional approach may cost.
She does have one piece of advice though for first-timers,
“Be prepared to feel a little daunted when the panels arrive because there can be so many! The absolute best thing you can do is organise the panels as they are entering the building, sorting them into their associated piles so when you get started you can work smarter, rather than running around trying to piece together panels!
It is worth the effort though as Cutshop® offers this unique opportunity to design and install your own vision of work – as long as you are confident your measurements are accurate then you can achieve a lot!”
