Alex and Scott Pendlebury – Kinsman Kitchen & Laundry Transformation

When seasoned renovators Scott and Alex Pendlebury purchased a property located in Melbourne’s Bayside area, they knew that updating the kitchen and laundry would be a top priority.

Scott, an acclaimed AFL star who plays for the Collingwood Football Club, and Alex, a nutritionist and presenter, wanted to create a kitchen that would become the heart of their home. It was particularly important to them to have a space where they could cook and eat with their two young children, Jax and Darcy.

The couple turned to Kinsman to bring their vision to life, resulting in two incredible spaces that balance form and function. Step inside and take a tour!

Alex and Scott Pendlebury in their Kinsman Kitchen

The original kitchen.

“Our kitchen was very old and very brown,” explains Alex. “We had a triangle island bench and an inbuilt deep fryer which was very odd, so the whole space needed a makeover!”

The brief.

“We wanted to make it white and bright,” says Alex. “We still wanted it to have a bit of character and depth, so it tied into the rest of our house.” Working within the existing floorplan, the aim was to reconfigure the kitchen’s layout to create a fully functional space with an island bench and to create a colour palette that was classic yet contemporary.

The kitchen style.

Kinsman’s Montauk cabinets feature a 40mm rail door profile for a modern take on the classic Shaker- style look and have been used throughout the design, with Alex selecting the soft warm white tones of Alabaster Smooth. A mixture of Matt Brass Bar and Knob handles with Back Plates add a luxurious element to the colour palette, while the dramatic marble-look benchtops and blue-tiled splashback complete the look.

“Our designer was super friendly, and she was approachable and professional,” says Alex. “She was happy to be involved or not as involved as we needed. I personally wanted to pick a lot of the materials and fixtures, but she was very capable to take the rein and do the whole thing, which is what some people need.”

The kitchen design & layout.

Working with the existing kitchen’s floorplan, the new layout has been designed to maximise functionality and storage. Zoned to perfection with clear areas for cooking, cleaning, and food preparation, the U-shaped layout allows plenty of space for the family of four to move around the kitchen with ease and efficiency.

Another welcome addition to the kitchen is the eye-catching 2.3-meter-long rectangular island bench, which provides a wealth of extra storage. Topped with a dramatic marble-look stone surface, the bench features an overhang that creates a generous seating area, making it the perfect place for friends and family to gather.

“Our favourite part of the kitchen is the island bench,” smiles Scott. “With the old triangle bench there was only one seat available so there was always a fight over that. Now there’s space for everyone, the kid’s spaghetti can go everywhere, and it doesn’t matter as it’s so easy to clean. The island bench is a winner!”

The laundry.

Light and bright, the laundry features flat Ballina Essendon Alabaster Satin, polished brass matt knob handles, and laminate benches. The look is a beautifully pared-back version of the kitchen, blending style with practicality.

Storage abounds in the room, with a clever mix of wall and floor cupboards, including a tall cabinet for items such as mops, brooms, and ironing boards. The L-shaped layout provides plenty of bench space, with laundry appliances placed side-by-side to allow for a continuous bench above them.

The Kinsman experience.

“Kinsman was great to work with,” says Alex. “They have an online portal which made it easy to stay on top of updates and payments. Plus, we really liked the initial consultation being complementary as well because we weren’t sure what direction we were going to go in, and I thought that was a really nice touch. It’s been great to enjoy this space – and quickly too!”

Project details:

Cabinetry: Montauk Alabaster Smooth (kitchen), Ballina Essendon Alabaster Satin (laundry)

Handles: Matt Brass Bar with Back Plate (38-M-30) & Matt Brass Knob with Black Plate (34-M-25) in kitchen, Polished Brass Matt Knob in laundry (15-K-149)

Benchtops: By clients

Accessories: Cutlery Trays

Appliances: Smeg- by clients