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Steal This Look: A Melbourne Kitchen Inspired By the Library

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Steal This Look: A Melbourne Kitchen Inspired By the Library

March 12, 2024

When a pair of sisters approached eco-minded designer Kim Kneipp to redo the kitchen in their Victorian house outside of Melbourne, it was for the second time: The designer had previously “rearranged all of their spaces,” Kneipp says, “and designed library joinery to consolidate and showcase their books.” It was these bookish references the sisters wanted to pull in again, this time in the cook space—and the result is a kitchen that’s curvy and clever, complete with library ladder.

Here’s a closer look (and where to source similar elements):

the end result, which margot profiled in kitchen of the week: an undulating woo 17
Above: The end result, which Margot profiled in Kitchen of the Week: An Undulating Wood Kitchen in Melbourne, Curves Included. Photograph by Lisa Cohen, courtesy of Kim Kneipp.
a clear library reference: a rolling ladder for reaching high up cabinets. 18
Above: A clear library reference: a rolling ladder for reaching high-up cabinets.

Above: The sink, plus an ingenious drop-down bar. Photography by Lisa Cohen, courtesy of Kim Kneipp.

Materials

&#8\2\20;the curved island is faced with half dowels of tasmanian oak,& 21
Above: “The curved island is faced with half dowels of Tasmanian oak,” Margot reports. For a similar look, try fluted panels, ideally made from solid wood (though veneer options offer more flexibility, if you’re going for a curved effect). The Restorers 3/4 Inch Pencil Solid Wood Tambour Panels are made from poplar; $222.99 each from Van Dyke’s Restorers.
for something akin to the recycled messmate (australian hardwood) counters, the 22
Above: For something akin to the recycled messmate (Australian hardwood) counters, the Rustic Hickory Wide-Plank Face-Grain Countertops from Hardwood Lumber start at $65.87.
the backsplash tiles are inax’s yohen border tiles from artedomus. 23
Above: The backsplash tiles are Inax’s Yohen Border tiles from Artedomus.

Furniture and Fixtures

the fdb møbler j\164c stool is \$499 from schoolhouse. 24
Above: The FDB Møbler J164C Stool is $499 from Schoolhouse.

Lowe’s offers a library ladder with brass hardware: The Meadow Lane 8.92-ft Unfinished Red Oak Library Ladder is $1,618.99.

the terracotta pendant light was custom made by melbourne artist claire lehmann 25
Above: The terracotta pendant light was custom made by Melbourne artist Claire Lehmann of Studio Lehmann; Muuto’s Unfold Pendant isn’t far off, and it’s currently on sale for $276 from DWR.
kohler&#8\2\17;s crue single hole pull down kitchen faucet in brushed moder 26
Above: Kohler’s Crue Single-Hole Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Modern Brass ($524.73) is a lookalike for the made-in-Australia brass faucet from Consolidated Brass Tapware.

Appliances

the sisters made the switch to induction as part of the renovation. the fisher  27
Above: The sisters made the switch to induction as part of the renovation. The Fisher & Paykel 30-Inch Induction Cooktop is $2,699.
and the fisher & paykel series 7 \24 inch electric single wall oven is \$\2 28
Above: And the Fisher & Paykel Series 7 24-Inch Electric Single Wall Oven is $2,299.

Accessories

for a similar feel to the brass rails in the kitchen, the manchester brass rail 29
Above: For a similar feel to the brass rails in the kitchen, the Manchester Brass Rail with Hooks is $79 for the 30-inch size from Pottery Barn.
the crowe hand loomed wool sage rug is \$\2\13 for the 6&#8\24\2; round siz 30
Above: The Crowe Hand-Loomed Wool Sage Rug is $213 for the 6′ round size from AllModern.
the staub cast iron cocotte is \$\2\23.99 for the \2.75 quart size. 31
Above: The Staub Cast Iron Cocotte is $223.99 for the 2.75-quart size.
this vase—perhaps the very one spotted in these  s—is on offer, u 32
Above: This Vase—perhaps the very one spotted in these images—is on offer, used, for $30 AU from Melbourne-based prop house The Establishment Studios.

More kitchen details, sourced:

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Frequently asked questions

What was the inspiration behind the Melbourne kitchen design?

The inspiration behind the Melbourne kitchen design was the library, with bookish references incorporated into the kitchen.

What unique feature does the kitchen in Melbourne have?

The kitchen in Melbourne has a curvy and clever design, complete with a library ladder for reaching high-up cabinets.

Where can I find similar fluted solid wood panels for the island?

Similar fluted solid wood panels for the island can be found at Van Dyke's Restorers for $222.99 each.

Where can I purchase a similar brass rail with hooks for the kitchen?

A similar brass rail with hooks for the kitchen can be purchased for $79 for the 30-inch size from Pottery Barn.

What type of lighting was custom-made for the kitchen in Melbourne?

A terracotta pendant light custom-made by Melbourne artist Claire Lehmann of Studio Lehmann was used in the kitchen.

How much does the Fisher & Paykel 30-Inch Induction Cooktop cost?

The Fisher & Paykel 30-Inch Induction Cooktop costs $2,699.

Where can I find a similar vase like the one in the Melbourne kitchen?

A similar vase to the one in the Melbourne kitchen is available for $30 AU from Melbourne-based prop house The Establishment Studios.

Product summary  Item 6 162Item 7 163

Steal This Look A Melbourne Kitchen Inspired By the Library portrait 14
Vases

Est Vase

$30.00 USD from The Establishment Studios

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