Room of the Week: A Robust and Striking Black-and-White Kitchen
Contrasting colours and beautifully chosen tiles make this kitchen stand out from the crowd
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 clients had previously had an off-white kitchen, and they requested a contemporary space that contrasted light and dark. They were happy for us to take full control over the finishes. We were conscious that there would be three teenagers using the kitchen, which is why we stayed away from natural stones and materials that would easily mark or stain.
Our clients had previously had an off-white kitchen, and they requested a contemporary space that contrasted light and dark. They were happy for us to take full control over the finishes. We were conscious that there would be three teenagers using the kitchen, which is why we stayed away from natural stones and materials that would easily mark or stain.
Starting point
We started with a poured-concrete floor with exposed aggregates of bluestone, grey granite and rhyolite stone by Brad at MPM Extreme Floors. This extends throughout the ground floor. A central staircase next to the dining area with white balustrades and engineered- timber treads meant we were inclined to avoid introducing another timber element into the mix. The Polytec Ravine embossed wood-grain product, used in the joinery, allowed us to bring in a softer texture, which was essential.
We started with a poured-concrete floor with exposed aggregates of bluestone, grey granite and rhyolite stone by Brad at MPM Extreme Floors. This extends throughout the ground floor. A central staircase next to the dining area with white balustrades and engineered- timber treads meant we were inclined to avoid introducing another timber element into the mix. The Polytec Ravine embossed wood-grain product, used in the joinery, allowed us to bring in a softer texture, which was essential.
Key pieces of furniture
The kitchen was constructed by Mark Gauci from Complete Interior Design. The joinery is Polytec Ravine in ‘Black Wenge’. The Caesarstone benchtops are in ‘Night Sky’ and ‘Calacutta Nuvo’. The tiles are all Mutina Rombini, purchased from Urban Edge Ceramics.
The kitchen splashback tiles are White Losange with a white grout, the pantry splashback tiles are Rombini Carre in ‘Light Green’ and the vertical tiles at the front of the island bench are Triangle White. The kitchen’s Net pendant lights are from Custom Lighting. The dining room light is In the Wind Horizontal pendant from Mondoluce.
These were all chosen to complement each other and be seen together when viewed from the dining room or walking down the central staircase.
The kitchen was constructed by Mark Gauci from Complete Interior Design. The joinery is Polytec Ravine in ‘Black Wenge’. The Caesarstone benchtops are in ‘Night Sky’ and ‘Calacutta Nuvo’. The tiles are all Mutina Rombini, purchased from Urban Edge Ceramics.
The kitchen splashback tiles are White Losange with a white grout, the pantry splashback tiles are Rombini Carre in ‘Light Green’ and the vertical tiles at the front of the island bench are Triangle White. The kitchen’s Net pendant lights are from Custom Lighting. The dining room light is In the Wind Horizontal pendant from Mondoluce.
These were all chosen to complement each other and be seen together when viewed from the dining room or walking down the central staircase.
Colour palette
Black and white as requested from the client. We added a little bit of green in the pantry tiles and blue and green through the concrete mix (which ended up being a different mix to that shown in this moodboard).
Black and white as requested from the client. We added a little bit of green in the pantry tiles and blue and green through the concrete mix (which ended up being a different mix to that shown in this moodboard).
Thinking behind the arrangement
of furniture/fixtures
We chose to treat the pantry door in the same Polytec Ravine in ‘Black Wenge’ to act as a cupboard door when closed to conceal the pantry. The kitchen has two sinks and two dishwashers, with one of each in the butler’s pantry, as our clients like to entertain and required additional assistance for an easy clean up.
of furniture/fixtures
We chose to treat the pantry door in the same Polytec Ravine in ‘Black Wenge’ to act as a cupboard door when closed to conceal the pantry. The kitchen has two sinks and two dishwashers, with one of each in the butler’s pantry, as our clients like to entertain and required additional assistance for an easy clean up.
The pantry has a small built-in desk with a felt pinboard splashback above and USB and power points to hide the general house-hold clutter we all accumulate on the kitchen bench.
Challenges worked around
The house was originally designed for a tiled floor to be laid over the slab. We were engaged after the build had begun, which meant this concrete was more of a veneer and required additional reinforcement fibres. The monochromatic colour palette we were given was harsh and had the potential to be cold and uninviting.
The house was originally designed for a tiled floor to be laid over the slab. We were engaged after the build had begun, which meant this concrete was more of a veneer and required additional reinforcement fibres. The monochromatic colour palette we were given was harsh and had the potential to be cold and uninviting.
Why do you think this room works
The choice of materials is key in this kitchen. The under-island tiles add shadow and depth, which helps to soften the harsh monochromatic palette. The Polytec Ravine product on the cabinetry adds a timber-like texture, which was essential in toning down the large Ceasarstone benchtops.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more Rooms of the Week
The choice of materials is key in this kitchen. The under-island tiles add shadow and depth, which helps to soften the harsh monochromatic palette. The Polytec Ravine product on the cabinetry adds a timber-like texture, which was essential in toning down the large Ceasarstone benchtops.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more Rooms of the Week
Answers by the project’s interior designers, Saskia Steinhart and Nicole Langelier of Design + Diplomacy
Who lives here: A family, including three teenage children
Location: Aberfeldie, Victoria
Room size: The kitchen is 18 square metres, the pantry is 8 square metres and the adjacent dining area is 23 square metres.