Sophisticated Outdoor Living: Alfresco Kitchen Project, Mermaid Waters

Designing an outdoor kitchen is always about balance — style, functionality, and durability. When our clients at Avanti Street, Mermaid Waters, approached us to create an alfresco kitchen for their level 3 balcony, they wanted more than just an outdoor cooking space.

They wanted an elevated entertaining area that felt like a natural continuation of their home — refined, robust, and ready for Queensland’s coastal climate.

In this blog, we take you behind the scenes of how BJF Joinery brought that vision to life.

Key Takeaways

• Completely waterproof cabinetry using Prolight PVC board for all carcasses.

• Sophisticated colour palette featuring Dulux Domino 2pac and Polytec Boston Oak Woodmatt.

• Smartstone Bellini Bianco sintered benchtops for durability and design impact.

• Fully equipped with BBQ, pizza oven, bar fridge, and dishwasher for ultimate entertaining.

• Seamless integration of LED lighting and ceiling battens to unify the indoor-outdoor feel.

Designing a Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection

One of the biggest challenges with upper-level outdoor spaces is ensuring the design feels like an extension of the home, not an afterthought.

Our design team worked closely with the clients from the first consultation, using 3D rendered drawings to visualise how each finish, appliance, and material would come together. This collaborative process helped refine every detail — ensuring the alfresco aligned perfectly with the home’s existing architecture.

The result? A cohesive and luxurious space that looks built-in, not added on.

You can explore more of our completed transformations on our Projects page.

Durable, Design-Led Cabinetry

Given the exposure of a level 3 balcony, material selection was key.

We constructed the cabinetry using Prolight PVC board, which is completely waterproof and weather-resistant — ideal for coastal conditions. The cabinetry featured a two-tone finish:

• Dulux Domino 2pac with VJ grooves, adding texture and depth.

• Polytec Boston Oak Woodmatt, bringing natural warmth and contrast.

Every carcass was crafted in white Prolight PVC, ensuring the joinery remains pristine for years to come. To tie the space together, we carried the Boston Oak Woodmatt finish through to the ceiling battens, creating visual harmony between cabinetry and overhead design.

For more inspiration on high-quality finishes, view our Kitchen Renovations portfolio.

Benchtops Built for the Elements

For the benchtops, the clients chose Smartstone Bellini Bianco Sintered, a premium surface rated for both indoor and outdoor use.

• The back bench features a 50mm profile for balance.

• The island was given an 80mm thick edge — a bold feature that anchors the space and elevates the overall aesthetic.

This combination not only enhances the visual weight of the design but also ensures exceptional durability and resistance to weather.

Complete Outdoor Functionality

This alfresco isn’t just about good looks — it’s about practical luxury.

We integrated every feature the clients dreamed of, including:

• Drop-in BBQ unit

• Green Egg smoker

• Custom-built pizza oven

• Bar fridge

• Butler’s sink

• Integrated dishwasher

To enhance ambience and usability, LED lighting was seamlessly built into the ceiling battens, providing soft illumination for evening gatherings.

If you’re considering an outdoor kitchen renovation, our team can help you select the perfect materials, layout, and finishes for your space. Learn more about our custom joinery process.

Smart Storage Solutions

The original balcony had no storage at all, which was a key consideration for the redesign.

We incorporated clever storage within the island and along the main cabinetry run, ensuring every square metre of the alfresco served a purpose. Hidden compartments and ergonomic access points keep the area clean, uncluttered, and effortlessly functional.

The Bottom Line

The Mermaid Waters Alfresco Kitchen is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and premium materials can transform an outdoor area into an elegant extension of the home.

Every element — from the weatherproof cabinetry to the warm timber tones — was chosen to balance beauty, functionality, and endurance.

If you’re ready to create your own custom alfresco kitchen, designed to suit your lifestyle and space, book a consultation with BJF Joinery today.