Room Of The Week
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Room of the Week: A Modern Kitchen with Select Heritage Details
A serene palette, luxe materials and a nod to nature – carefully considered touches make this kitchen truly special
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
To create a kitchen within an open-plan area where the family could gather, socialise and eat. This resonated with me as I have always believed the kitchen is the heart of the home.
The clients wanted the space to feel homely and comfortable.
To create a kitchen within an open-plan area where the family could gather, socialise and eat. This resonated with me as I have always believed the kitchen is the heart of the home.
The clients wanted the space to feel homely and comfortable.
Starting point
There was no specific feature we started off with – the clients just wanted a space they could fall in love with.
There was no specific feature we started off with – the clients just wanted a space they could fall in love with.
Within our design, we made reference to natural textures by incorporating timber, wicker panelling on the cupboard fronts, marble, and zellige mosaic tiles.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: We kept the palette light and earthy in order to make the home feel fresh and timeless. We chose Dulux White Exchange for the walls to allow the more interesting features in the kitchen, such as the tiles and wicker detailing, to stand out.
Colour palette: We kept the palette light and earthy in order to make the home feel fresh and timeless. We chose Dulux White Exchange for the walls to allow the more interesting features in the kitchen, such as the tiles and wicker detailing, to stand out.
Materials palette: We opted for a combination of natural materials, including unstained Tasmanian- oak floors finished with a water-based sealant, Vivid White wicker custom joinery fronts from Camberwell Cane, and Caesarstone London Grey benchtops.
But the standout features here are the handmade Moroccan Ezra 5 x 5 centimetre Zellige tiles that we used on both the kitchen splashback and the fireplace in the living room for a sense of cohesion. The imperfect nature and handcrafted feel of the tiles brings a sense of character and history to the space.
What challenges did you work around?
The clients wanted the kitchen island to double as a dining room table, so we lowered the height of the timber section to 700 millimetres – lower than standard island height – so they could sit and dine comfortably here.
The clients wanted the kitchen island to double as a dining room table, so we lowered the height of the timber section to 700 millimetres – lower than standard island height – so they could sit and dine comfortably here.
What was your thinking behind the arrangement?
The open-plan kitchen overlooks a gorgeous living room, complete with a fireplace finished in mosaic tiles and an inset marble floor. We sought to create a sense of connection between the two areas.
To achieve this, we carried the materiality through to the kitchen, where we have used zellige mosaics, marble and timber. This has resulted in a wonderful synthesis of contrasting textures and materiality.
The open-plan kitchen overlooks a gorgeous living room, complete with a fireplace finished in mosaic tiles and an inset marble floor. We sought to create a sense of connection between the two areas.
To achieve this, we carried the materiality through to the kitchen, where we have used zellige mosaics, marble and timber. This has resulted in a wonderful synthesis of contrasting textures and materiality.
Why do you think this room works?
Because it functions as beautifully as it looks – it’s a great kitchen to cook and dine in. The materials work harmoniously together to create a neutral space that manages to feel fresh and exciting.
Because it functions as beautifully as it looks – it’s a great kitchen to cook and dine in. The materials work harmoniously together to create a neutral space that manages to feel fresh and exciting.
Tell us
What do you love about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interiors? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: A Mid-Century Sydney Bathroom.
What do you love about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interiors? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: A Mid-Century Sydney Bathroom.
Builder and client: Olive Construction
Answers and styling by Georgia Ezra, interior architect and director at Studio Ezra and Tiles of Ezra
Who lives here: A couple with two sons
Location: Malvern, Victoria
Room size: Around 22 square metres