Room Of The Week
Room of the Week: A Warm and Welcoming Family Kitchen
A sophisticated colour palette and exquisite detailing create the perfect entertainers' kitchen
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: This whole house in Waverley was being overhauled, but the creation of a new open-plan kitchen/dining area that connected to an entertainers’ balcony was one of the most important aspects of the project.
Brief/scope of work: To create a functional, family-friendly kitchen with a modern Australian coastal vibe.
Brief/scope of work: To create a functional, family-friendly kitchen with a modern Australian coastal vibe.
Thinking behind the design: This is very much an entertainer’s kitchen, so the placement of furniture, fixtures and fittings was chosen accordingly.
The kitchen opens seamlessly onto the terrace. There are bar stools around the island bench so that everyone can stay connected to the chef while they’re cooking. There is an appliance cupboard tucked into the side of the tall cabinetry unit, where all the day-to-day appliances are hidden. Utensils, oils and condiments are neatly concealed beside the stovetop in purpose-built drawers.
Everything is designed for ease of use and is located in specific zones, so that minimal crossing of the space is required. This means that multiple people can cook and prep comfortably alongside each other.
The kitchen opens seamlessly onto the terrace. There are bar stools around the island bench so that everyone can stay connected to the chef while they’re cooking. There is an appliance cupboard tucked into the side of the tall cabinetry unit, where all the day-to-day appliances are hidden. Utensils, oils and condiments are neatly concealed beside the stovetop in purpose-built drawers.
Everything is designed for ease of use and is located in specific zones, so that minimal crossing of the space is required. This means that multiple people can cook and prep comfortably alongside each other.
Key features: With such a strong feature stone on the island bench we wanted to make sure the range hood above it looked equally as spectacular, so we chose to create a focal point with two hoods. Plus, having a generous 900-millimetre-wide stovetop meant we needed greater extraction.
We’ve used two different benchtop materials – thick Arabescato Vagli marble as a feature on the island unit, and more practical engineered stone on the rear benchtops where food prep and cleaning take place.
We love using timber as a feature in our kitchens, and here we’ve used raw American Oak. We had always planned some open shelving for cookbooks and ceramics to allow for casual styling and bring a sense of cosiness to the space. But as the design developed we saw an opportunity to carry the timber through into the cupboard and break up what would have been a solid wall of joinery. It also provided the perfect spot to display glassware.
Wide tongue-and-groove panelling is a modern take on a traditional panelled look, and allowed us to line up the joins in the doors and drawers with the grooves for a more seamless finish.
We’ve used two different benchtop materials – thick Arabescato Vagli marble as a feature on the island unit, and more practical engineered stone on the rear benchtops where food prep and cleaning take place.
We love using timber as a feature in our kitchens, and here we’ve used raw American Oak. We had always planned some open shelving for cookbooks and ceramics to allow for casual styling and bring a sense of cosiness to the space. But as the design developed we saw an opportunity to carry the timber through into the cupboard and break up what would have been a solid wall of joinery. It also provided the perfect spot to display glassware.
Wide tongue-and-groove panelling is a modern take on a traditional panelled look, and allowed us to line up the joins in the doors and drawers with the grooves for a more seamless finish.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Dulux ‘Subdue’ on cabinets; Dulux ‘Black Caviar’ on island unit; Dulux ‘Vivid White’ on the wall near terrace door
Materials palette: Arabascato Vagli marble on island benchtop; ‘Ash Grey’ Quantum Quartz on benchtop near fridge; polyurethane cabinetry; American oak shelves and floors; a cement render textured finish on walls leading to dining area and near window
Fittings: Sussex Scala Gooseneck Tap, leather pull handles
Appliances and furniture: Double Smeg range hoods; Ilve Flushtop 900 millimetre gas stovetop; Electrolux fridge; Samsung dishwasher; Vintec wine fridge; Mr Frag Dowel stools
Colour palette: Dulux ‘Subdue’ on cabinets; Dulux ‘Black Caviar’ on island unit; Dulux ‘Vivid White’ on the wall near terrace door
Materials palette: Arabascato Vagli marble on island benchtop; ‘Ash Grey’ Quantum Quartz on benchtop near fridge; polyurethane cabinetry; American oak shelves and floors; a cement render textured finish on walls leading to dining area and near window
Fittings: Sussex Scala Gooseneck Tap, leather pull handles
Appliances and furniture: Double Smeg range hoods; Ilve Flushtop 900 millimetre gas stovetop; Electrolux fridge; Samsung dishwasher; Vintec wine fridge; Mr Frag Dowel stools
Why do you think this room works: While the mix of materials and colours make this kitchen appealing, it’s the attention to detail and functionality that are its real successes.
Challenges worked around: Some existing windows, a dropped ceiling height and doors leading onto the outdoor area created a finite floor area for us to work with, but we managed to fit everything into the space perfectly.
Tell us
What do you love best about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more beautiful contemporary kitchens
What do you love best about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more beautiful contemporary kitchens
Answers supplied by Melissa Bonney, director at The Designory
Who lives here: A family with two teenagers and a toddler
Location: Waverley, Sydney, NSW
Room purpose and size: 25 square metre open-plan kitchen with adjoining dining area.