Dive into Good Finds by Lee’s Kitchen Reno Adventure!
From the first hammer swing to the final flourish, digital creator Lee-Anne van Wyk’s kitchen transformation is nothing short of spectacular. With not one, but two stunning Infinity Surfaces colours, her kitchen is now a masterpiece where family memories are waiting to be made! Discover the secrets behind her stunning makeover using Infinity Surfaces and get the inside scoop on everything you need to know about this game-changing brand…
On the kitchen design…
Among all the places to create lasting memories in the home, the kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most popular. In her recent Stellenbosch renovation, Lee’s brief was to make the kitchen into a more social space, where they could prepare meals and hang out with each other. “My vision was a counter where we as a family could dine together or connect whilst someone was prepping food, needing to do homework or take a meeting, it could be quite utilitarian,” says Lee.
The central kitchen island is the focal point of this vision – with the surrounding countertops bringing a sense of calmness to the overall space. When Lee and her family initially purchased the property, the open-plan kitchen and well-considered layout gave her the perfect opportunity to bring in her modern aesthetic: “My wish was to add our personal style to the space by refreshing the paint on the cabinetry, using modern handles to bring the shaker style doors from a farm feel to contemporary, and then to maximise the counter dining space.”
When deciding on your aesthetic, Lee suggests that starting with a classic foundation is best. As trends change, you can chop and change your décor to match! “I’m a firm believer in always leaning towards classic style decisions and layering with accessories or features that can be changed up over time.”
On the renovation process…
Looking back on the journey, Lee notes that being invested every step of the way is ideal to make sure nothing is missed, and everyone knows what’s going on. “Many of the snags that could have been unexpected surprises were eradicated just by knowing what was happening and what was required next on site.”
Of course the weather can always play a role in any renovation – especially when it’s a Cape Town winter! Lee remembers one particularly stormy night where she had to go to the house in the middle of the night to protect the island cabinetry carcass by wrapping it in black bags and placing it on bricks to avoid it being soaked by the rain. “Thinking back to this time, it’s so crazy how quickly we forget how chaotic and messy renovating can be once you living in your new home,” comments Lee.
On working with Infinity Surfaces…
For her kitchen renovation, Lee selected two Infinity Surfaces colours: Pietra Grey for her three-metre block kitchen island; and Crystal Ice for the surrounding countertops and backsplash. “I loved the design opportunity to utilise a matt finish with a high gloss in combination in our kitchen, and not go for a one-size-fits-all the counters approach.”
With an earthy, grey background and its white, streaky veins, Pietra Grey plays on a classic marble and a nature-centric mood; while Crystal Ice is inspired by the characteristic crystalline structures of Brazilian quartzite – the perfect Infinity Surfaces colour combination!
When Lee spoke about why she chose to work with Infinity Surfaces, she noted that the variety of colours allowed her to pick and choose as she wanted – but also the durability of the material was key for such a high-traffic area.
With an earthy, grey background and its white, streaky veins, Pietra Grey plays on a classic marble and a nature-centric mood.
For future digital content, Lee wanted a beautiful ‘foodstagram’ background – and Pietra Grey was just the colour! “The matte Pietra Grey delivered on the contrast that I wanted from the counters and was also an extremely practical choice.” Of course Lee also had to consider the other times when her kitchen would not be the focal point of a photoshoot, but rather when she’s with her family: “This beautiful surface hardly shows a handprint or a blemish so nobody in the home feels that they are constantly needing to keep wiping it down or that we are living in a showroom.”
From seeing the Infinity Surfaces slabs in the warehouse, to integrating the fabricated pieces into her finished kitchen, Lee talks about how important it was for her to see the colours in person. “The wow factor of seeing the full-size slabs across the range can’t be underestimated! I picked a few favourites from the samples on offer in the showroom but after walking through the warehouse and seeing the vein details and shades, my decisions shifted.”
Crystal Ice is inspired by the characteristic crystalline structures of Brazilian quartzite.
On Good Finds By Lee…
Lee’s digital presence – Good Finds by Lee – was founded from a simple question she was asked as part of a work project: what excites you as an individual? Pair this with a lifelong passion of finding value where others don’t sparked the birth of her digital presence that has since grown into a loving and engaged community.
“As a detail-oriented marketer and photographer, Instagram was the perfect platform for curating these #goodfinds. I’m truly passionate about the space and draw so much energy from my audience, they really are a community, who often send me the good finds to share.”
When it comes to the future, Lee believes in dreaming big! “I would love to work on a DIY project in a space that isn’t my own; potentially to be part of a project that gives back to community. I love recovering old furniture or pieces to give them a second life and would love to do more of these projects, perhaps one day have my own upholstery store. An opportunity to collab with interesting brands and create a valuable item or line with them also really excites me as I can tap into my strategic marketing background.”
On Lee’s top influencers…
- Misha Levin [@misha_levin]: A very encouraging and successful friend in the influencer space, Misha has been a great source of confidence for Lee as she began this digital journey.
- Danie Louw [@Adsquared_ ): Godfather to Lee’s children and best friends with her husband, Danie is an incredibly talented architect and master of interiors.
- International influences: Three Birds Renovations (@threebirdsrenovations), Geneva Vanderzeil (@genevavanderzeil), and Studio McGee (@studiomcgee) are pivotal as they offer such incredible content to creating those awe-inspiring spaces.
- Local delights: Amazing events such as the Investec Cape Town Art Fair (@investeccapetownartfair) and Decorex Africa (@Decorexafrica) are unmissable as they fill up Lee’s cup with the latest trends and noteworthy individuals/companies. Publications such as VISI Magazine (@visi_mag) and House & Leisure (@houseandleisure) are literal eye candy and constantly provide new information and innovations. The list is endless!
Connect with Good Finds by Lee on Instagram HERE: www.instagram.com/good._finds/