Best of the Week: Warm and Wonderful Family Kitchens
These welcoming kitchens have all the ingredients a family needs to cook and connect with ease
The heart of the home is the place for families and friends to get together for food, fun and conversation, and the best kitchens make people want to sit down and stay a while. Functionality is crucial too, of course, and if a kitchen can be set up for little hands to help out as well as big, so much the better. We love these kitchens for both their inviting ambience and their practical design features. Which one would your family like to call their own?
2. Location: Hawthorn, Victoria
Architect: Alexandra Buchanan Architecture
Why we love it: The lightwell enhances the feeling of space in this Victorian cottage extension, and the bench dining seat maximises the room available for that fabulous island bench. We also love a kitchen that’s not too precious – kids’ paintings and a fridge laden with magnets add a relaxed layer.
Architect: Alexandra Buchanan Architecture
Why we love it: The lightwell enhances the feeling of space in this Victorian cottage extension, and the bench dining seat maximises the room available for that fabulous island bench. We also love a kitchen that’s not too precious – kids’ paintings and a fridge laden with magnets add a relaxed layer.
3. Location: Berry, NSW
Architect: Michael Bell Architects
Why we love it: In this age of open-plan everything, it’s refreshing to see a kitchen that’s tucked away. A farmhouse dining table sets a welcoming scene for cups of tea, heart-to-hearts and family feasts.
Architect: Michael Bell Architects
Why we love it: In this age of open-plan everything, it’s refreshing to see a kitchen that’s tucked away. A farmhouse dining table sets a welcoming scene for cups of tea, heart-to-hearts and family feasts.
4. Location: Wentworth Falls, NSW
Designer: Melandra Homes
Joinery: Quality Kitchens & Joinery
Why we love it: Light-filled and lovely, this kitchen/dining/living area connects seamlessly with two outdoor decks, and the kitchen stool set-up allows for face-to-face conversations more easily than an all-in-a-row configuration.
Designer: Melandra Homes
Joinery: Quality Kitchens & Joinery
Why we love it: Light-filled and lovely, this kitchen/dining/living area connects seamlessly with two outdoor decks, and the kitchen stool set-up allows for face-to-face conversations more easily than an all-in-a-row configuration.
5. Location: Glebe, NSW
Architect: Nobbs Radford Architects
Why we love it: Just because concrete features heavily in a space doesn’t mean it can’t feel inviting. The trick is introducing some timber to warm things up. This swish kitchen is part of an ultra-contemporary extension to a Federation home.
Architect: Nobbs Radford Architects
Why we love it: Just because concrete features heavily in a space doesn’t mean it can’t feel inviting. The trick is introducing some timber to warm things up. This swish kitchen is part of an ultra-contemporary extension to a Federation home.
6. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Smith & Smith Kitchens
Why we love it: Without a sink or stovetop to get in the way, an island bench like this one creates a whole lot of bench space that can be used for everything from eating breakfast to jigsaw puzzles. And the clean-up couldn’t be easier.
Designer: Smith & Smith Kitchens
Why we love it: Without a sink or stovetop to get in the way, an island bench like this one creates a whole lot of bench space that can be used for everything from eating breakfast to jigsaw puzzles. And the clean-up couldn’t be easier.
7. Location: Katoomba, NSW
Architect: Six b design
Why we love it: When an extension is designed to capture the sun in the cooler months, it’s instantly warm and welcoming.
Architect: Six b design
Why we love it: When an extension is designed to capture the sun in the cooler months, it’s instantly warm and welcoming.
8. Location: Croydon Park, SA
Designer: SpaceCraft Joinery
Why we love it: Why be boring when you can be bold? The homeowners of this California bungalow knocked down the existing lean-to and extended to make room for a new kitchen. They loved the retro styling of their old kitchen, however, so they amplified its 1950s style into their new one. It’s now both colourful and highly functional for family living.
Designer: SpaceCraft Joinery
Why we love it: Why be boring when you can be bold? The homeowners of this California bungalow knocked down the existing lean-to and extended to make room for a new kitchen. They loved the retro styling of their old kitchen, however, so they amplified its 1950s style into their new one. It’s now both colourful and highly functional for family living.
9. Location: Cape Tribulation, Queensland
Architect: m3architecture
Why we love it: This energy-smart home works in harmony with the environment and the off-the-grid kitchen is no exception. And there’s plenty of room to feed a crowd.
Architect: m3architecture
Why we love it: This energy-smart home works in harmony with the environment and the off-the-grid kitchen is no exception. And there’s plenty of room to feed a crowd.
10. Location: Perth, WA
Architect: Neil Cownie Architect
Why we love it: If you have the space, why not build a kitchen with plenty of room to move? We love that this home can be opened right up to the outdoors, bringing fresh air and views of the garden into the kitchen.
Architect: Neil Cownie Architect
Why we love it: If you have the space, why not build a kitchen with plenty of room to move? We love that this home can be opened right up to the outdoors, bringing fresh air and views of the garden into the kitchen.
11. Location: Clontarf, NSW
Designer: Art of Kitchens
Why we love it: An island that dips down to become a dining table is a smart use of space, and much of the usual kitchen clutter can be kept out of sight thanks to a secret door leading to a butler’s pantry.
Designer: Art of Kitchens
Why we love it: An island that dips down to become a dining table is a smart use of space, and much of the usual kitchen clutter can be kept out of sight thanks to a secret door leading to a butler’s pantry.
12. Location: Geelong, Victoria
Architect: Bower Architecture
Why we love it: An island with a rounded end? Brilliant. It’s likely that many bumps and bruises have been avoided as a result. That sunny yellow pendant is also a winner in our books.
Architect: Bower Architecture
Why we love it: An island with a rounded end? Brilliant. It’s likely that many bumps and bruises have been avoided as a result. That sunny yellow pendant is also a winner in our books.
13. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Architect: Neil Architecture
Why we love it: Kids big and small love a bit of colour and, in this case, colour makes the kitchen infinitely more magnetic.
Architect: Neil Architecture
Why we love it: Kids big and small love a bit of colour and, in this case, colour makes the kitchen infinitely more magnetic.
14. Location: Auckland, NZ
Architect: Dorrington Atcheson Architects
Why we love it: Blocks of colour break up the ply in a kitchen immersed in nature. Open shelving brings a casual vibe to the space, which is always inviting.
Architect: Dorrington Atcheson Architects
Why we love it: Blocks of colour break up the ply in a kitchen immersed in nature. Open shelving brings a casual vibe to the space, which is always inviting.
15. Location: Perth, WA
Architect: Gresley Abas Architects
Why we love it: More and more families are living in apartments, but that’s no reason the heart of the home can’t be warm and welcoming. The creative use of plywood and the harmonising of indoors and out does the job beautifully here.
Architect: Gresley Abas Architects
Why we love it: More and more families are living in apartments, but that’s no reason the heart of the home can’t be warm and welcoming. The creative use of plywood and the harmonising of indoors and out does the job beautifully here.
16. Location: Adelaide, SA
Designer: SpaceCraft Joinery
Why we love it: This happy kitchen has a charm all its own, and it’s family friendly to boot. Rounded corners enable ease of movement in a small space, and a dining nook shaped to fit the adjoining area is both fun and functional.
Designer: SpaceCraft Joinery
Why we love it: This happy kitchen has a charm all its own, and it’s family friendly to boot. Rounded corners enable ease of movement in a small space, and a dining nook shaped to fit the adjoining area is both fun and functional.
17. Location: Mona Vale, NSW
Designer: CTI Kitchens & Designer Joinery
Why we love it: Multiple stools and a sizeable fridge meet the needs of hungry kids (and their friends, when need be), while tiling the face of the island cheers up the otherwise cool black kitchen.
Designer: CTI Kitchens & Designer Joinery
Why we love it: Multiple stools and a sizeable fridge meet the needs of hungry kids (and their friends, when need be), while tiling the face of the island cheers up the otherwise cool black kitchen.
18. Location: Perth, WA
Architect: Klopper and Davis Architects
Why we love it: Hanging pots and a splash of yellow are welcoming touches in this stunning kitchen, and balance out the contemporary use of concrete.
Architect: Klopper and Davis Architects
Why we love it: Hanging pots and a splash of yellow are welcoming touches in this stunning kitchen, and balance out the contemporary use of concrete.
19. Location: North Bondi, NSW
Architect: CplusC Architectural Workshop
Why we love it: Kitchen islands needn’t be overly wide. In fact, the narrower they are, the cosier an island seating area can be, especially if the stools face each other.
Architect: CplusC Architectural Workshop
Why we love it: Kitchen islands needn’t be overly wide. In fact, the narrower they are, the cosier an island seating area can be, especially if the stools face each other.
20. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Architect: Shaun Lockyer Architects
Why we love it: Who can resist a kitchen filled with winter sun? This kitchen can be opened right up to the outdoors, and louvres create a cooling flow of fresh air when needed.
Architect: Shaun Lockyer Architects
Why we love it: Who can resist a kitchen filled with winter sun? This kitchen can be opened right up to the outdoors, and louvres create a cooling flow of fresh air when needed.
21. Location: Artarmon, NSW
Architect: Michelle Walker architects
Why we love it: The balance of materials – brick, timber, stone – makes this kitchen look and feel terrific.
Architect: Michelle Walker architects
Why we love it: The balance of materials – brick, timber, stone – makes this kitchen look and feel terrific.
22. Location: Northcote, Victoria
Architect: Olivia van Dijk Architecture
Why we love it: Open shelving brings a come-as-you-are ambience to this kitchen, and the chalkboard allows the family to personalise the space.
Architect: Olivia van Dijk Architecture
Why we love it: Open shelving brings a come-as-you-are ambience to this kitchen, and the chalkboard allows the family to personalise the space.
23. Location: South Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Studio Stamp
Why we love it: Any kitchen with an AGA stove is instantly loveable, and the cheery splashback is a fun addition.
Designer: Studio Stamp
Why we love it: Any kitchen with an AGA stove is instantly loveable, and the cheery splashback is a fun addition.
24. Location: Devonport, NZ
Architect: Bull O’Sullivan Architecture
Why we love it: According to the architect, the ceiling in this open-plan kitchen/dining/living area is supposed to act as a metaphorical protective cloak thrown over the family. We like that in a house.
Architect: Bull O’Sullivan Architecture
Why we love it: According to the architect, the ceiling in this open-plan kitchen/dining/living area is supposed to act as a metaphorical protective cloak thrown over the family. We like that in a house.
25. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Camilla Molders Design
Why we love it: Teal and red, mixed with timber, is a daring combination but it just works.
Designer: Camilla Molders Design
Why we love it: Teal and red, mixed with timber, is a daring combination but it just works.
26. Location: Sydney, NSW
Designer: Public/Private
Why we love it: This beachside beauty is extra inviting because of its soft blue island and lashings of fresh, white paint. When it’s warm out, cool and classic is often the way to go.
Tell us
What makes a kitchen warm and wonderful to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, save the pictures or bookmark it.
More
Best of the Week: Kitchens with Wow Factor
Designer: Public/Private
Why we love it: This beachside beauty is extra inviting because of its soft blue island and lashings of fresh, white paint. When it’s warm out, cool and classic is often the way to go.
Tell us
What makes a kitchen warm and wonderful to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, save the pictures or bookmark it.
More
Best of the Week: Kitchens with Wow Factor
Architect: Bull O’Sullivan Architecture
Why we love it: Natural timber warms up this lovely kitchen, bringing a humble quality to a finely crafted space.