Designing for Dough and Coastal Living

Tucked along the South Coast of New South Wales, this sun-drenched Shoalhaven apartment renovation by Birdblack Design reimagines coastal living through warmth, texture and thoughtful functionality. Designed for a retired couple seeking a relaxed lifestyle by the water, the project balances earthy materials with refined detailing, creating a kitchen and bathroom that feel both grounded and quietly sophisticated.

Completed in 2024, the renovation embraces a modern interpretation of Tuscan influences, where tactile surfaces, natural tones and considered craftsmanship bring a sense of character and longevity to the home.

Designing Around Daily Rituals

At the heart of the renovation is a kitchen designed not just for cooking, but for the rhythms of everyday life.

Birdblack Design approached the space with a simple philosophy: kitchens should reflect the habits of the people who use them. For this couple, baking was central to their routine, inspiring a layout that accommodates shared moments in the kitchen.

A dedicated bench space was incorporated specifically for kneading dough; allowing the homeowner’s husband to join in comfortably while baking takes place.

As Stuart Gibson, Design Director of Birdblack Design, explains: “No two families are identical, so why should our kitchens be?”

The approach prioritises genuine functionality over conventional layouts.
“Whether it's making room for dough kneading, creating a spot for someone to sit and chat while you cook, or even factoring in where the laundry basket will go, real functionality comes from understanding daily habits and designing around them.”

The result is a kitchen that feels deeply personal; one that supports connection as much as practicality.

Warmth Through Materiality

A calm, earthy palette anchors the interior, creating a natural warmth that sits comfortably within its coastal setting. Cabinetry is finished in Polytec Woodmatt Boston Oak, introducing soft timber tones that echo the relaxed atmosphere of the Shoalhaven coastline. Walls in Porter's Paints Stone Age add depth and subtle contrast, reinforcing the home’s tactile design language.

The benchtops in Cemento Bianco provide a refined yet durable work surface, while travertine-look floor tiles ground the kitchen with a timeless, Mediterranean sensibility. Together, these materials create a layered palette where texture plays as important a role as colour.

A Playful Checkerboard Detail

One of the most distinctive features within the renovation is the introduction of a checkerboard tile pattern, adding a gentle sense of movement and character to the space.

In the kitchen, Marjorie tiles in cotto and off-white form a subtle checkerboard motif, referencing traditional European kitchens while maintaining a contemporary edge.
This design detail is echoed again in the bathroom, where the pattern is reinterpreted in aquamarine tones, creating a cohesive thread throughout the home while allowing each space to retain its own personality.

Refined Hardware as a Finishing Detail

Hardware plays a quiet but important role in tying the joinery together.

The kitchen features Momo Handles’ Barrington range in Polished Nickel, with both knobs and D handles used across the cabinetry. The classic profile of the Barrington collection complements the warmth of the timber cabinetry while introducing a subtle reflective quality that catches the natural light flowing through the apartment.

The polished nickel finish brings a sense of timeless refinement to the joinery; an understated detail that enhances the overall composition of the

A Coastal Home with Character

Rather than relying on overt coastal styling, Birdblack Design’s approach allows the materials and light of the Shoalhaven location to speak naturally.

Warm timber tones, textured tiles and carefully considered joinery create a home that feels welcoming, practical and deeply personal to the people who live there.

By designing around real habits, from baking rituals to shared kitchen moments, the renovation demonstrates how thoughtful interior design can transform everyday spaces into places that truly support the way we live.

Project Credits

• Interior Design & Furniture Curation - Birdblack Design
• Builder - Chinnock Building
• Joiner - Best Kitchens
• Styling - Birdblack Design
• Photography - Tim Shaw — Shaw Photography