Room Of The Week
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Room of the Week: A Timber Kitchen With a Wraparound Ceiling
Drenched in light, this kitchen features a timber ceiling that morphs into a bookshelf, which straddles the living area
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
Our client engaged us to design a three-storey residence on a 545-square-metre block at Wyndham Harbour, one of the largest marinas on Port Phillip Bay. The third storey was necessary to capture harbour views and the project was given an allowable budget of $750,000.
As part of the interior design for the project, the client requested a modern and functional kitchen located on the ground floor with ample natural light and easy flow to an outdoor deck. The client enjoys entertaining guests and required plenty of storage space and bench space to allow efficient food preparation for additional guests.
The client is also an adherent to the ancient Chinese art of feng shui so it was important that objects were placed in order to bring good fortune and harmony into the home. In fact, the final question during the pre-design feasibility stage for this project was, “Do you know feng shui?”
In general, the client’s expectations were that the kitchen make maximum use of the footprint, and be functional and in keeping with minimalist aesthetics.
Our client engaged us to design a three-storey residence on a 545-square-metre block at Wyndham Harbour, one of the largest marinas on Port Phillip Bay. The third storey was necessary to capture harbour views and the project was given an allowable budget of $750,000.
As part of the interior design for the project, the client requested a modern and functional kitchen located on the ground floor with ample natural light and easy flow to an outdoor deck. The client enjoys entertaining guests and required plenty of storage space and bench space to allow efficient food preparation for additional guests.
The client is also an adherent to the ancient Chinese art of feng shui so it was important that objects were placed in order to bring good fortune and harmony into the home. In fact, the final question during the pre-design feasibility stage for this project was, “Do you know feng shui?”
In general, the client’s expectations were that the kitchen make maximum use of the footprint, and be functional and in keeping with minimalist aesthetics.
Starting point
The house is carefully orientated on the site according to passive solar design principles. Where possible, spaces to be occupied in the daytime (the living and dining areas and study) have been orientated towards solar north, while utility areas and bedrooms have been oriented to the south.
The kitchen is located on the ground floor, open to a living area that opens out to a north-facing timber deck.
In response to the brief we created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the ‘golden triangle’ that reduces steps between the sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics.
Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space.
Craving a new kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The house is carefully orientated on the site according to passive solar design principles. Where possible, spaces to be occupied in the daytime (the living and dining areas and study) have been orientated towards solar north, while utility areas and bedrooms have been oriented to the south.
The kitchen is located on the ground floor, open to a living area that opens out to a north-facing timber deck.
In response to the brief we created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the ‘golden triangle’ that reduces steps between the sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics.
Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space.
Craving a new kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Please tell us about the feature ceiling
The core interior design element in the home is a floating timber staircase that connects all three floors. The use of timber in the ceiling, kitchen and elsewhere in the interior flows from this central element and creates a cohesive and harmonious look and feel throughout the home.
The timber screening on the kitchen ceiling, which wraps down to form a bookshelf, serves to create a continuous flow and establish an ambience of natural warmth through the open kitchen, dining and living space out to the timber entertaining deck outdoors.
As the ground-floor footprint is compact, careful planning has provided maximum storage space and benchtop preparation areas so our client can entertain guests with ease. The island bench doubles as a meals area and a place for guests to relax and connect with the host while he is preparing a meal for them.
The core interior design element in the home is a floating timber staircase that connects all three floors. The use of timber in the ceiling, kitchen and elsewhere in the interior flows from this central element and creates a cohesive and harmonious look and feel throughout the home.
The timber screening on the kitchen ceiling, which wraps down to form a bookshelf, serves to create a continuous flow and establish an ambience of natural warmth through the open kitchen, dining and living space out to the timber entertaining deck outdoors.
As the ground-floor footprint is compact, careful planning has provided maximum storage space and benchtop preparation areas so our client can entertain guests with ease. The island bench doubles as a meals area and a place for guests to relax and connect with the host while he is preparing a meal for them.
Key design elements
Colour palette:
Timber and marble.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
Colour palette:
Timber and marble.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Blackbutt timber for the ceiling timber slats.
- Polytec Ravine in a Natural Oak finish for the kitchen cabinets and bookshelves.
- Polytec Legato Super Matt in a Crisp White finish for the overhead kitchen cabinets.
- A&J large-format porcelain tiles in Calacatta profile feature on the kitchen benchtop.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures:
The island benchtop is covered with extra-large format porcelain tiles in a Calacatta profile, which have the look of marble but are scratch- and stain-resistant. The Polytec Crisp White finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well with the Natural Oak of the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.
To incorporate feng shui principles, the sink and cooktop were placed suitably to avoid the sink (water element) and cooktop (fire element) facing each other and forming a conflicting straight line in order to bring good health and harmony into the home.
Why do you think this room works?
Ample natural light, storage space and benchtop-preparation areas have been carefully included to create a highly practical and functional kitchen. The restrained palette of timber and marble-look porcelain tiles ties in with the overall interior design and creates a discreet modern elegance that reflects the natural beauty of the home’s seaside location.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more kitchen design inspiration? Take a look at this Room of the Week: The Non-Conformist Family Kitchen (That Rocks!)
The island benchtop is covered with extra-large format porcelain tiles in a Calacatta profile, which have the look of marble but are scratch- and stain-resistant. The Polytec Crisp White finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well with the Natural Oak of the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.
To incorporate feng shui principles, the sink and cooktop were placed suitably to avoid the sink (water element) and cooktop (fire element) facing each other and forming a conflicting straight line in order to bring good health and harmony into the home.
Why do you think this room works?
Ample natural light, storage space and benchtop-preparation areas have been carefully included to create a highly practical and functional kitchen. The restrained palette of timber and marble-look porcelain tiles ties in with the overall interior design and creates a discreet modern elegance that reflects the natural beauty of the home’s seaside location.
Your turn
Which ideas would you steal from this space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more kitchen design inspiration? Take a look at this Room of the Week: The Non-Conformist Family Kitchen (That Rocks!)
Answers by Sky Tiong, founder and director of Sky Architect Studio
Who lives here: A family of three; the owner is a mechanical engineer.
Location: Wyndham, Victoria
Room purpose and size: An open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. The kitchen is 25 square metres.
Scenario: This is the kitchen in a residential new-build on empty land.
Approximate budget: $880,000 for the entire house.
Awards: Design Matters National Award Winner 2020 for Best Kitchen Design