Riverbend House Kitchen Embraces Landscape and Legacy
Tucked into the bushland fringe of Eltham where the Yarra floodplains narrow into the steep-sided Warrandyte Gorge, Riverbend House has been thoughtfully revived as part of the newly established Garambi Baan Cultural Precinct.
Once at risk of being lost to demolition by neglect, the home—formerly known as Cuming House—has been given new life thanks to not-for-profit arts organisation InPlace, in partnership with Parks Victoria and Wurundjeri Corporation.
GALLERY
At the heart of this respectful transformation lies a kitchen that reflects its environment as much as it serves its purpose.
The most significant design intervention involved removing the dividing wall between the kitchen and dining area. This singular change unlocked long sightlines to the river and valley beyond, immediately reorienting the home’s internal flow and enhancing its connection to the surrounding landscape. A reimagined kitchen and reconfigured ensuite followed, replacing a bulky walk-in pantry with an accessible shower and extending the sense of openness.
Materials were selected not for nostalgia, but for their sensory resonance with place. Handmade tiles by Anchor Ceramics echo Eltham’s ceramic legacy while subtly reflecting the grey-green tones of surrounding eucalyptus leaves. The stainless-steel benchtop, cool and unpolished, mirrors the light-dappled surface of the Birrarung, while a timber writing desk—set slightly lower than the rest of the bench—claims the best view of the river, offering a moment of stillness within a working space.
Textural detail plays a key role. Leather cupboard pulls were chosen to age gracefully, utensils selected as much for their beauty as their use. The original Welsh slate floors were restored with linseed oil, and existing timber elements carefully reconditioned.
Locally made furnishings by Eltham designer Kate Stokes, including a pendant light and generous 2.4-metre dining table, anchor the space with warmth and craftsmanship. Together, these elements honour the home’s past while inviting new stories to unfold—one meal, one moment, one gathering at a time.
Images by Sean Fennessy via ArchDaily
Unox Casa Unox Casa is the high-end residential division of UNOX, the world’s best-selling brand of professional ovens, born ...
Tucked into the bushland fringe of Eltham where the Yarra floodplains narrow into the steep-sided Warrandyte Gorge, Riverbend ...