Before & After: A Kitchen That Combines Mixed Materials & Shapes
Patricia Urquiola tiles set the scene for a kitchen that combines materials of all shapes and sizes
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The brief from the client was clear: replace a dated 1990s kitchen with a bold yet functional and durable kitchen that is low maintenance and suitable for busy family life and entertaining.
What is the thinking behind the layout?
The layout is a functional triangle arrangement of fridge, cooktop and sink, while providing for the circulation that occurs in a busy kitchen at the heart of the home. The central island bench runs parallel to the dining table, but also allows the chef to keep a watchful eye though the servery window out to the pool. Feature timber-veneer doors permit access to a new butler’s pantry and through to the laundry and coat room beyond.
The brief from the client was clear: replace a dated 1990s kitchen with a bold yet functional and durable kitchen that is low maintenance and suitable for busy family life and entertaining.
What is the thinking behind the layout?
The layout is a functional triangle arrangement of fridge, cooktop and sink, while providing for the circulation that occurs in a busy kitchen at the heart of the home. The central island bench runs parallel to the dining table, but also allows the chef to keep a watchful eye though the servery window out to the pool. Feature timber-veneer doors permit access to a new butler’s pantry and through to the laundry and coat room beyond.
Starting point
It became clear early on that the removal of a cramped steel mezzanine level above the old kitchen was a must, and suddenly the potential volume of the space we were dealing with was vast. The space became a celebration of the vaulted ceiling and of the new timber trusses required to brace the building envelope.
It became clear early on that the removal of a cramped steel mezzanine level above the old kitchen was a must, and suddenly the potential volume of the space we were dealing with was vast. The space became a celebration of the vaulted ceiling and of the new timber trusses required to brace the building envelope.
The old mezzanine level pictured before works
The design ideas were never too far from the brief: everything was to be bold and durable, but not without warmth and texture. We couldn’t ignore the generous use of red brick in the existing house and we began to experiment with how to reference this in the new kitchen.
We also fell in love with the splashback tiles by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola very early on, and we knew they were perfect for this house.
We also fell in love with the splashback tiles by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola very early on, and we knew they were perfect for this house.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Warm natural timber and terracotta tones, contrasting with the sharpness of a deep rich black. A hint of blush too, which softens a palette that could have easily become unforgivingly masculine.
Materials palette: Terracotta, natural timber and brick, which plays on the original Edwardian brick section of the house and the 1990s red-brick addition within, in which the kitchen stands. The stacked arrangement of the brick in the island bench also allowed the introduction of another layer of pattern and texture.
Colour palette: Warm natural timber and terracotta tones, contrasting with the sharpness of a deep rich black. A hint of blush too, which softens a palette that could have easily become unforgivingly masculine.
Materials palette: Terracotta, natural timber and brick, which plays on the original Edwardian brick section of the house and the 1990s red-brick addition within, in which the kitchen stands. The stacked arrangement of the brick in the island bench also allowed the introduction of another layer of pattern and texture.
Key pieces of furniture and fixtures:
- Brodware City Stik Mixer with pull-out spray.
- Smeg Portofino 90-centimetre-wide freestanding pyrolytic gas cooker.
- Integrated Beko convection microwave.
- Integrated Miele dishwasher.
- Vintec wine fridge.
- Custom Phoebe pendant light by Masson For Light.
- Brooklyn stool by Eugeni Quitllet for Vondom from AJAR.
- Franke double-bowl undermount sink in Onyx.
- Qasair Eaton Executive range hood.
- Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart Integrated French Door Fridge.
- Custom spotted gum turned round handle by Auburn Woodturning.
- Tierras Trio mix splashback tiles by Patricia Urquiola with Mutina from Urban Edge Ceramics.
- Dekton Sirius black benchtop by Cosentino.
- Custom concrete kitchen benchtop by Rutso Concrete Benchtops.
- Bowral Dry-Pressed Bricks in Capitol Red by Austral for the kitchen island legs.
- Polytec Woodmatt in Black laminate.
- Navurban Byron Blackbutt by New Age Veneers.
- Spotted gum tongue-and-groove floorboards.
The rear of the house before works
Challenges you worked around
The removal of the old mezzanine necessitated some structural support – we chose to turn this into an asset by celebrating and exposing these elements using feature timber trusses instead of concealed steelwork.
Similarly, a south-facing orientation would usually be a challenge, but once the mezzanine was removed, the space lent itself to the last-minute inclusion of a double-height window, maximising natural light and connection to the new adjacent outdoor entertaining area.
Challenges you worked around
The removal of the old mezzanine necessitated some structural support – we chose to turn this into an asset by celebrating and exposing these elements using feature timber trusses instead of concealed steelwork.
Similarly, a south-facing orientation would usually be a challenge, but once the mezzanine was removed, the space lent itself to the last-minute inclusion of a double-height window, maximising natural light and connection to the new adjacent outdoor entertaining area.
Why do you think this new room works?
It’s strong, robust, and functional, but maintains a sense of warmth, texture and playfulness. Being well-connected to the adjacent dining zone and outdoor entertaining areas makes the space ideal for entertaining. There’s plenty of storage and natural light, and it doesn’t sacrifice function for the sake of form.
Although the new kitchen sits within the context of a whole-house renovation, it also stands on its own merits to become the heart of the home without appearing detached from the materials and history of the original home. Lastly the room works because of a great collaboration between client, architect, and the builder, Martin Brothers Building.
Your turn
What do you love about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great transformations? Take a look at our previous Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
It’s strong, robust, and functional, but maintains a sense of warmth, texture and playfulness. Being well-connected to the adjacent dining zone and outdoor entertaining areas makes the space ideal for entertaining. There’s plenty of storage and natural light, and it doesn’t sacrifice function for the sake of form.
Although the new kitchen sits within the context of a whole-house renovation, it also stands on its own merits to become the heart of the home without appearing detached from the materials and history of the original home. Lastly the room works because of a great collaboration between client, architect, and the builder, Martin Brothers Building.
Your turn
What do you love about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great transformations? Take a look at our previous Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
Answers by architect Rob Randell of Bryant Alsop Architects
Who lives here: A family with two children and a dog
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Room purpose: This was part of a whole-home renovation; the kitchen component is 20 square metres