Designing a Kitchen That Works: How We Opened Up This Space with 3D Rendering

This kitchen transformation wasn’t just about creating a new look—it was about making the space work better for everyday living.

The original kitchen layout was enclosed and disconnected from the main living areas. A powder room and two interior walls broke up the flow, making the space feel smaller than it actually was. For a busy family, it just wasn’t practical.

Opening Up the Space

One of the biggest changes in this renovation was the removal of two interior walls and the powder room. This opened up the kitchen footprint dramatically, connecting it with the living and dining zones and letting in more natural light.

With this new open plan layout, there was room to introduce two much larger islands - perfect for casual meals, entertaining, or simply spreading out while cooking.

Designing for Functionality

The layout was completely reworked to improve functionality. Full-height cabinetry was added to maximise storage, and the fridge and ovens were repositioned for better flow and easier access. Integrated appliances were included in the design to create a streamlined, clutter-free look.

Although the client hadn’t selected her final finishes yet, I used her inspiration images to guide the rendering process. This helped her visualise not just the layout, but how the space could feel - light, warm, and timeless.

Why Use 3D Rendering?

When you’re planning a renovation, 3D rendering allows you to explore design ideas and make informed decisions before anything is built. It’s an incredibly helpful tool for testing out layouts, colour schemes, and finishes - especially when you’re dealing with major structural changes like this one.

Looking to Visualise Your Own Project?

If you’re thinking about renovating and want to feel confident about your choices, 3D rendering can help. I work with homeowners, designers, and builders to bring ideas to life—one render at a time.

3D Render | melodee g miller

Batesville Arkansas Residence – Visualising the Build Before It Begins

When you’re building from scratch, the number of decisions can feel endless—especially when it comes to the exterior. From cladding colours to stonework to garage finishes, getting it all to feel cohesive (and beautiful) takes more than just good instincts.

That’s exactly where this project came in.

These clients came to me in the early stages of planning their new build, with a clear goal in mind: to create an exterior that felt warm, balanced, and quietly timeless. They had a few inspiration images and favourite colours saved, but they were feeling unsure about how to bring it all together. Would the stone be too heavy on the front? Would the cladding colour feel too cool or too yellow in full sun? How would the back of the home tie in with the front?

We explored a few different combinations using 3D rendering. Being able to see the layout and materials across both the front and back of the house made a huge difference in narrowing things down. It gave them confidence that each decision was working as part of a bigger picture—not just a Pinterest board.

The Final Palette

They ended up going with a beautiful and balanced mix of:

• Sherwin Williams Shoji White for the cladding – a soft, warm neutral that feels fresh without being stark
  

• Natural stone from Prolific Stone – adding just enough contrast and texture to anchor the home visually
  

We also refined a few layout elements along the way, including the garage façade and the pool placement, to make sure the overall feel remained cohesive and easy to live with.

Why Rendering Helped

This stage of the process is where 3D rendering really shines. It’s not about flashy tech—it’s about clarity. When you're making big decisions, especially on something as permanent as your home’s exterior, being able to see the options is often what turns indecision into confidence.

With rendering, these clients could weigh up every detail before committing, ensuring the house felt like theirs—not just a selection of trending finishes.

If you're in the planning stages of a new build or renovation and feeling overwhelmed by all the options, 3D rendering can help bring everything into focus. I work with homeowners, designers, and builders to create clear, photorealistic visuals that support smart, confident design decisions.

Interested in exploring your ideas in 3D? Reach out anytime—I'd love to hear what you're working on.

CMY DESIGN - The Grange Residence

There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a space come together just as envisioned—and this part of the Grange Residence was no exception.

The Kitchen

This kitchen strikes that beautiful balance between feeling calm and fresh while still offering moments of warmth and texture. Soft joinery sets the tone, complemented by light stone benchtops and gentle timber flooring that adds depth without overpowering. The layout is open and considered, creating an easy, welcoming flow between prep zones and social spaces.

Every detail helps tell the story of a space that feels grounded, inviting, and effortlessly functional.

The Bar Area

Just a few steps away, this bar space continues the material story while carving out its own moment. Quietly positioned yet elevated

with beautiful joinery details and a pared-back palette that makes it feel like a quiet luxury. The lighting was an important focus here—both in real life and in the render—as it draws attention to the soft textures and provides that intimate mood perfect for winding down.

Together, these rooms show how cohesive design can work across zones without feeling repetitive. They each have their own identity, but they belong together—and that’s always the sweet spot in a renovation.

This project was beautifully designed by CMY Design, and I was grateful to be along for the ride—creating renders to help Carissa’s clients

visualise the space before it came to life.