9 Things to Learn From Contemporary Kiwi Kitchens
Move on from standard-issue white lacquer and take inspiration for a spectacular cooking space with these fresh ideas
Catherine Smith
11 June 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. A design addict from way back, I can't resist looking at other people's houses. And doing a tiny bit of styling and decluttering. Just a tiny bit.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. A design addict from way back, I can't resist looking... More
If you talk to experienced kitchen designers these days – especially ones who have been in Milan seeing the world’s best design ideas at EuroCucina – they’re longing for a client who is ready to step away from the smart-but-safe, good-for-resale-value white kitchens. Sure they’re crisp, clean and sculptural, but after a while they all start to blur together. Here are some lessons to learn so that you can add oomph back into your kitchen scheme.
1. Go to the dark side
Yes, we love our light, but it’s time to embrace the darker shades too. When you have plenty of windows or glass doors, the kitchen is flooded with lots of light. If it’s part of the open-plan living and dining zones, then a dark, even black, palette is not going to sink your house into a Stygian gloom any time soon.
Yes, we love our light, but it’s time to embrace the darker shades too. When you have plenty of windows or glass doors, the kitchen is flooded with lots of light. If it’s part of the open-plan living and dining zones, then a dark, even black, palette is not going to sink your house into a Stygian gloom any time soon.
Rich, even murky colours for cabinets and benches were all over the Milan design fairs this year, and are starting to grow in popularity here too. If you want to ease into the deeper shades, create a focal point with a spectacular island – it reads like a piece of furniture – but stick to white perimeter cabinets.
Designer Natalie du Bois has also anticipated two other of this year’s hot trends at Milan: chunky, deep benchtops that segue into splashbacks. And herbs, growing right where you need them.
Designer Natalie du Bois has also anticipated two other of this year’s hot trends at Milan: chunky, deep benchtops that segue into splashbacks. And herbs, growing right where you need them.
Start with a black bench and splashback (and now, even black sink and taps), softened with a wood veneer for cabinets and islands.
Jessica White from Room by Room has eased her clients into this trend too, paring black bench, sink and plant shelves with wood veneer. Black negative detailing pulls the materials together.
Browse more black kitchens
Jessica White from Room by Room has eased her clients into this trend too, paring black bench, sink and plant shelves with wood veneer. Black negative detailing pulls the materials together.
Browse more black kitchens
Even the most humble of cabinet materials, plywood, gets a modern update when paired with tailored black subway tiles. Crisp black window joinery and blinds continue the palette.
2. Embrace your country roots
For too many years, country-style decor has had a bad rap. Blame it on the surfeit of roosters and frilly curtains of the ’80s and ’90s. But smooth, contemporary country is having its moment again, an enticing segue from industrial and deconstructed, and a logical home for the return-to-real-food cooking.
What makes it work (apart from the must-have Aga or Falcon stove for slow roasts and perfect sponge cakes) is the mix of real timber, fresh pastel colours, and the gathering table in the middle of the action.
For too many years, country-style decor has had a bad rap. Blame it on the surfeit of roosters and frilly curtains of the ’80s and ’90s. But smooth, contemporary country is having its moment again, an enticing segue from industrial and deconstructed, and a logical home for the return-to-real-food cooking.
What makes it work (apart from the must-have Aga or Falcon stove for slow roasts and perfect sponge cakes) is the mix of real timber, fresh pastel colours, and the gathering table in the middle of the action.
Country details of panelled doors, traditional pull handles and a carefully curated plate rack, with bold punches of colour, create a modern version of country comforts.
3. Warm up with timber
In Europe, it’s the dark, rich timbers that have taken over, but in New Zealand mid to pale shades are more common. Mix up the woods; matching shades will flatten the effect. An all-white kitchen takes on the trend with tongue-and-groove ceilings, chunky beams and a washed timber floor.
In Europe, it’s the dark, rich timbers that have taken over, but in New Zealand mid to pale shades are more common. Mix up the woods; matching shades will flatten the effect. An all-white kitchen takes on the trend with tongue-and-groove ceilings, chunky beams and a washed timber floor.
An all-wood kitchen springs to life with stainless steel and a standout coloured splashback. With touches of wicker and tropical prints, this Northland kitchen is cool and contemporary.
4. Appreciate the past
When every second villa or bungalow renovation involves slapping a modern white box on the back of the old house, complete with a white box kitchen, it’s a daring designer who listens to what the house is all about. Here, Hamilton architect Laura Kellaway created what she calls a ‘new/old’ kitchen in a 1940s former state house, complete with recycled light fittings. A modern island brings the original stately cabinets into the 21st century.
When every second villa or bungalow renovation involves slapping a modern white box on the back of the old house, complete with a white box kitchen, it’s a daring designer who listens to what the house is all about. Here, Hamilton architect Laura Kellaway created what she calls a ‘new/old’ kitchen in a 1940s former state house, complete with recycled light fittings. A modern island brings the original stately cabinets into the 21st century.
This Cambridge, Waikato kitchen by Juliet Coleman could be old, could be new – and that’s the secret. Old school panelled doors, open shelves, a vintage light fitting and subway tiles around the cooker (not shown) are modern interpretations of originals.
5. Bring the view inside
There are no rules that say that kitchens should have a bench- level window. Admittedly, Koia Architects had an unfair advantage when they located this kitchen: floor-to-ceiling windows take in the stunning views of the Wakatipu Basin, near Queenstown.
28 kitchens with breathtaking views
There are no rules that say that kitchens should have a bench- level window. Admittedly, Koia Architects had an unfair advantage when they located this kitchen: floor-to-ceiling windows take in the stunning views of the Wakatipu Basin, near Queenstown.
28 kitchens with breathtaking views
But even with a more modest suburban outlook, carefully placed full-length windows draw the outside into the kitchen. A splashback of pohutukawa red makes it clear that the outdoors includes New Zealand’s favourite summer bloom in this Carrington Estate, Northland, kitchen by Aleysha Pangari.
Where there are no neighbours within shouting distance, indulge in one or more full glazed walls. Special films help cut the glare, but you need to think carefully about how you orient the kitchen to the sun: you’d need sunglasses to prepare dinner if this was facing west and copping the setting sun on all that stainless steel.
6. Keep mess out of sight
The social kitchen means a place of two halves – the generous bar for guests to sit and admire the chef in action, and a more discreet tucked away area for working appliances and supplies.
The social kitchen means a place of two halves – the generous bar for guests to sit and admire the chef in action, and a more discreet tucked away area for working appliances and supplies.
Slick slide-away pocket doors mean you can close off the bits of the kitchen not in use,
Or create a second messy kitchen in the scullery – perfect for pot clean-up, messy prep and all the less attractive food supplies.
7. Merge with the living and dining room
It’s the kitchen feature that Kiwis love the most – no boundaries between the cook, the dining room and the family sitting area. In fact, if you did a frequency-of-use map in most households, the formal living room, even the media room, would be used only a fraction of the time that open-plan kitchen/living/dining rooms are.
It’s the kitchen feature that Kiwis love the most – no boundaries between the cook, the dining room and the family sitting area. In fact, if you did a frequency-of-use map in most households, the formal living room, even the media room, would be used only a fraction of the time that open-plan kitchen/living/dining rooms are.
Merging indoors and out is one of the best ways to keep the kitchen at the heart of the home. Here, Wellington interior designer Simone van der Plas of Encompass Ideas has even tucked a computer station into the kitchen, so that the homeworkers and/or home manager don’t have to miss out on the kitchen action.
8. Be bold
Safe resale value does not necessarily give you the house you want to live in. In this stunning Boatsheds house by Strachan Group Architects, the owners’ love of commercial-grade cookware, connection with the outdoors (the stove opens to the courtyard) and boating (hints of a galley) is fully indulged. See the full story here.
Safe resale value does not necessarily give you the house you want to live in. In this stunning Boatsheds house by Strachan Group Architects, the owners’ love of commercial-grade cookware, connection with the outdoors (the stove opens to the courtyard) and boating (hints of a galley) is fully indulged. See the full story here.
This inner-city kitchen by architect Gerrad Hall is over 12 years old, but shows the strength of a bold vision. On one side, cedar shutters protect a small balcony overlooking the street; on the other, sliding doors open to a courtyard. Raw concrete on walls, ceilings and floors are strong and comforting. Not surprisingly, the project won local and regional awards from the NZ Institute of Architects.
9. Elevate the kitchen to sculpture
Designer Celia Visser had a client who wanted a sculpture as much as a kitchen. This contemporary island delivers an exciting piece that is also functional (helped by a scullery tucked out of sight). The same sleek cabinetry is repeated in the living and dining rooms.
Designer Celia Visser had a client who wanted a sculpture as much as a kitchen. This contemporary island delivers an exciting piece that is also functional (helped by a scullery tucked out of sight). The same sleek cabinetry is repeated in the living and dining rooms.
This kitchen by Hamlet Projects combines country-house practicality (walls of pantry cupboards, two integrated fridges, and slide-out storage for appliances) with sculptural flair. Stone benches and a polished stainless steel and perspex island repeat the transparency of the rest of the house (including a glass-sided pool in the courtyard).
TELL US
What style of kitchen should you have? Take our quizz here and let us know the results in the Comments section.
MORE
10 of the Best Kitchen Trends from EuroCucina 2016
6 Kitchen Colour Schemes that will Stand the Test of Time
How to Plan a White Kitchen that is Anything But Boring
What style of kitchen should you have? Take our quizz here and let us know the results in the Comments section.
MORE
10 of the Best Kitchen Trends from EuroCucina 2016
6 Kitchen Colour Schemes that will Stand the Test of Time
How to Plan a White Kitchen that is Anything But Boring
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No. 7 for me, classy yet simple.
In the quiz I got Country. Yeah, I reckon that's pretty accurate. I like fresh vegies from the garden, nice warm tones, slightly old but comfy chairs to sit and do just about anything, big cuppa tea. But I HATE that 80's style of country with stupid cutsie ducks and pretty dried flowers. Ugh. Thank goodness country grew up since then!