Room Of The Week
Room of the Week: A Luxurious Kitchen for Entertaining in Style
Art takes centre stage in this stunning, classic kitchen designed for a pair of passionate entertainers
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Starting point
The fireplace was the starting point for the whole kitchen design. The couple made it clear they wanted this to not just be a kitchen, but a space where they could display their cherished art collection. What more prominent place to display art then above a fireplace? This is how the fireplace became the dominant element in the design.
The fireplace was the starting point for the whole kitchen design. The couple made it clear they wanted this to not just be a kitchen, but a space where they could display their cherished art collection. What more prominent place to display art then above a fireplace? This is how the fireplace became the dominant element in the design.
Brief
The couple wanted something grand and luxurious, yet practical enough for the everyday. They wanted a mixture of modern and traditional design elements, luxury appliances (large enough to host parties and functions), space for a scullery with ample wine refrigeration, room for a television, a fireplace and spots to display art – not your typical kitchen brief!
The couple wanted something grand and luxurious, yet practical enough for the everyday. They wanted a mixture of modern and traditional design elements, luxury appliances (large enough to host parties and functions), space for a scullery with ample wine refrigeration, room for a television, a fireplace and spots to display art – not your typical kitchen brief!
Thinking behind the design
The kitchen is positioned to face towards the open-plan dining area, the bird-loving owners’ aviary and the glass bi-fold doors beyond. Together with a skylight, this arrangement allows soft natural light to filter through. Mirrored splashbacks reflect light around the room and connect it with the outdoor space. A scullery sits adjacent to the main kitchen, where food and entertaining preparation is carried out, leaving the four-metre-long island free.
The fireplace is centred in the kitchen for symmetry and impact, while the television unit is set high on an adjacent wall for easy viewing from most angles in the room.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Neutral whites, dark brown, warm brown, greys, silver and gold.
Materials palette: Calacatta marble, dark-stained timber, travertine, grey mirror, glass, stainless steel, v-groove panelling and Shaker-style polyurethane panelling.
Furniture/fittings: A gas fireplace with Calacatta marble surround, wall-mounted television set in timber joinery, Sub-Zero integrated fridge/freezers and wine storage, Gaggenau wall appliances and gas cooktop, lighting from Vaughan Designs, fireclay sink, integrated Miele dishwashers.
The kitchen is positioned to face towards the open-plan dining area, the bird-loving owners’ aviary and the glass bi-fold doors beyond. Together with a skylight, this arrangement allows soft natural light to filter through. Mirrored splashbacks reflect light around the room and connect it with the outdoor space. A scullery sits adjacent to the main kitchen, where food and entertaining preparation is carried out, leaving the four-metre-long island free.
The fireplace is centred in the kitchen for symmetry and impact, while the television unit is set high on an adjacent wall for easy viewing from most angles in the room.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Neutral whites, dark brown, warm brown, greys, silver and gold.
Materials palette: Calacatta marble, dark-stained timber, travertine, grey mirror, glass, stainless steel, v-groove panelling and Shaker-style polyurethane panelling.
Furniture/fittings: A gas fireplace with Calacatta marble surround, wall-mounted television set in timber joinery, Sub-Zero integrated fridge/freezers and wine storage, Gaggenau wall appliances and gas cooktop, lighting from Vaughan Designs, fireclay sink, integrated Miele dishwashers.
Why do you think this room works?
Strong proportions and a refined material palette go most of the way towards achieving the clients’ ambition for a grand space. I love the boldness of centrally positioning the fireplace, while the smaller detailing such as the v-groove panelling and Shaker panelling show refinement. The design provides ample space and is durable enough for entertaining, yet practical for everyday use.
Challenges you worked around
While speaking with the builder and architect, we quickly realised the space the owners wanted to put the kitchen, scullery and other rooms just wasn’t big enough. The back half of the home was demolished three months later and we had a clean slate to work with.
Another challenge was housing their extensive wine collection.
Strong proportions and a refined material palette go most of the way towards achieving the clients’ ambition for a grand space. I love the boldness of centrally positioning the fireplace, while the smaller detailing such as the v-groove panelling and Shaker panelling show refinement. The design provides ample space and is durable enough for entertaining, yet practical for everyday use.
Challenges you worked around
While speaking with the builder and architect, we quickly realised the space the owners wanted to put the kitchen, scullery and other rooms just wasn’t big enough. The back half of the home was demolished three months later and we had a clean slate to work with.
Another challenge was housing their extensive wine collection.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Beautiful Australian kitchens
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Beautiful Australian kitchens
Answers by Graeme Metcalf, industrial designer at Dan Kitchens Australia
Who lives here: A high-flying, philanthropic couple and their birds.
Location: Double Bay, NSW
Room purpose and size: The kitchen, adjoining dining room and scullery measure 70 square metres.