Before & After: An Entertainer's Kitchen in Soft Tonal Hues in NZ
Spacious enough to cook comfortably and entertain mightily – that was the brief for this well-thought-through space
Vanessa Walker
8 February 2021
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Michelle Weir from Studio Weir
Styling and answers by Natalie Du Bois, owner of Du Bois Design
Who lives here: A couple with two daughters
Location: Auckland, NZ
Room purpose and size: A kitchen, dining area and pantry, all within 28 square metres
Approximate budget: NZ$75,000 for cabinetry and benchtops
Brief
My clients wanted their new kitchen to feel larger and more spacious than the configuration of their small, cramped galley- style kitchen.
They also wanted the new space to encourage more entertaining at home; something they didn’t do very often, due to the constraints of the existing space. The idea of a walk-in pantry was also on their wish list, so if this could be achieved, they would be happy.
Styling and answers by Natalie Du Bois, owner of Du Bois Design
Who lives here: A couple with two daughters
Location: Auckland, NZ
Room purpose and size: A kitchen, dining area and pantry, all within 28 square metres
Approximate budget: NZ$75,000 for cabinetry and benchtops
Brief
My clients wanted their new kitchen to feel larger and more spacious than the configuration of their small, cramped galley- style kitchen.
They also wanted the new space to encourage more entertaining at home; something they didn’t do very often, due to the constraints of the existing space. The idea of a walk-in pantry was also on their wish list, so if this could be achieved, they would be happy.
The kitchen before works
The room originally had a large angled wall that backed onto the master bedroom, which made the room extremely hard to work with; both the kitchen and the master bedroom equally had issues with placement of furniture as nothing quite felt right. I advised that by straightening the wall it would make it feel larger and become more practical.
The room originally had a large angled wall that backed onto the master bedroom, which made the room extremely hard to work with; both the kitchen and the master bedroom equally had issues with placement of furniture as nothing quite felt right. I advised that by straightening the wall it would make it feel larger and become more practical.
The kitchen before works
Starting point
This family loved to entertain but their previous kitchen did not allow them to do so very comfortably. I was recommended to these clients from their friends, who I had worked with on two of their homes previously. This project comprised a full home renovation; I was involved in the design details of their living room, bathroom, wardrobes and bedrooms, home office, laundry and ensuite.
Thinking of renovating? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Starting point
This family loved to entertain but their previous kitchen did not allow them to do so very comfortably. I was recommended to these clients from their friends, who I had worked with on two of their homes previously. This project comprised a full home renovation; I was involved in the design details of their living room, bathroom, wardrobes and bedrooms, home office, laundry and ensuite.
Thinking of renovating? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
In the new entertainer’s kitchen, a long window seat, with a built-in coffee table and large storage drawers, form a continuation of the kitchen space, making it feel grander – this was achieved by using all the same finishes as I used in the kitchen area.
The fully-clad Caesarstone island becomes a focal point when you enter the room. This has a Miele downdraft induction hob in the centre to reduce the impact of something overhead, which would prevent you from seeing the light through the windows, look quite cumbersome and detract from the Tom Dixon Beat pendants over the dining table.
The fully-clad Caesarstone island becomes a focal point when you enter the room. This has a Miele downdraft induction hob in the centre to reduce the impact of something overhead, which would prevent you from seeing the light through the windows, look quite cumbersome and detract from the Tom Dixon Beat pendants over the dining table.
Tell us about the colour scheme
My client originally couldn’t see past a white kitchen, but was convinced later by my suggestion of using tonal soft greys instead. This is teamed up with earthy autumnal tones of the accessories and cushions. Warmth is created by the wire-brushed timber shelving and cabinetry as well as the floor.
Both stains have been carefully eye-matched to work with each other. The hexagonal black marble-look porcelain tiles give more texture – this is brought through into the pantry room to continue the theme.
Black is also found as an accent for many items in this kitchen: the power points, black sink, matt boiling/chilled tap, the striking double matt-black steel shelf supports – the doubled-up look is also found in the fridge door handles. Push-to-open Blum Servo-Drive cabinetry is found above the fridge and ovens to make the high cabinetry easy to reach and access.
My client originally couldn’t see past a white kitchen, but was convinced later by my suggestion of using tonal soft greys instead. This is teamed up with earthy autumnal tones of the accessories and cushions. Warmth is created by the wire-brushed timber shelving and cabinetry as well as the floor.
Both stains have been carefully eye-matched to work with each other. The hexagonal black marble-look porcelain tiles give more texture – this is brought through into the pantry room to continue the theme.
Black is also found as an accent for many items in this kitchen: the power points, black sink, matt boiling/chilled tap, the striking double matt-black steel shelf supports – the doubled-up look is also found in the fridge door handles. Push-to-open Blum Servo-Drive cabinetry is found above the fridge and ovens to make the high cabinetry easy to reach and access.
To give my client a walk-in pantry room, the daughter’s bedroom – which shares the kitchen’s back wall – was reconfigured, including the removal of an old fireplace. The formal living room has a great new fireplace wall so this was now not needed. A wide sliding door into the pantry makes the small space feel roomier. It also showcases the striking black marble porcelain tiles and shelving that also appear in the kitchen, linking the two spaces.
We had to work around the client’s existing dining table and chairs, so new cushions and accessories were sourced and introduced to bring the colours through and blend the old with the new. The new kitchen now has flow unlike its cramped predecessor; this flow continues from the kitchen area into the dining space and then to the exterior through the new large French doors. It’s filled with light and has a really relaxed feel about it, which makes it such a great space to entertain and enjoy day-to-day and exciting times with family.
We had to work around the client’s existing dining table and chairs, so new cushions and accessories were sourced and introduced to bring the colours through and blend the old with the new. The new kitchen now has flow unlike its cramped predecessor; this flow continues from the kitchen area into the dining space and then to the exterior through the new large French doors. It’s filled with light and has a really relaxed feel about it, which makes it such a great space to entertain and enjoy day-to-day and exciting times with family.
The upholstered window seat in outdoor fabric not only provides a relaxed area to socialise in, but a space for a good-sized dining area and island seating to use everyday or when entertaining. Large bi-fold doors and windows allow natural light to flow into the kitchen and encourage indoor-outdoor flow to the pool and barbecue areas.
Browse more beautiful kitchens by New Zealand designers
Browse more beautiful kitchens by New Zealand designers
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Black and grey.
Materials palette:
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
Colour palette:
Black and grey.
Materials palette:
- Black porcelain tiles.
- Caesarstone benchtop in Rugged Concrete.
- Grey satin lacquer cabinetry.
- Stained-oak timber accents.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings:
- Cabinetry matched to Resene ‘Half Stack’.
- Benchtops in Caesarstone Rugged Concrete.
- Miele pyrolytic oven and combination microwave oven.
- Miele induction hob with integrated downdraft extractor.
- Miele fully integrated dishwasher.
- Acero Duro-Granite large sink.
- Zenith Arc boiling and chilled tap in black.
- Waterline Flexi stainless-steel mixer tap.
- Hardware is all Blum with Aventos electronic lift-up.
- Tom Dixon Beat pendant lamps.
- Citta Design cushions.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
The table is butted up to the island for a continuous line and gives the feeling of a larger space. The window seat also extends from the kitchen, in the same materials palette, which also elongates the room. The space flows from working in the kitchen to relaxing on the window seat to moving outdoors to the lovely outside entertaining area.
Challenges you worked around
Making sure the existing table and chairs still worked in the room. Working through several purposes for the space and making it feel ‘roomy’.
Why do you think this room works?
It feels light and open and really does encourage togetherness with friends and family.
Your turn
What do you love about this kitchen? 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
Craving more great interior makeovers? Take a look at this Room of the Week: From Dull Verandah to a Delightful Living Area
The table is butted up to the island for a continuous line and gives the feeling of a larger space. The window seat also extends from the kitchen, in the same materials palette, which also elongates the room. The space flows from working in the kitchen to relaxing on the window seat to moving outdoors to the lovely outside entertaining area.
Challenges you worked around
Making sure the existing table and chairs still worked in the room. Working through several purposes for the space and making it feel ‘roomy’.
Why do you think this room works?
It feels light and open and really does encourage togetherness with friends and family.
Your turn
What do you love about this kitchen? 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
Craving more great interior makeovers? Take a look at this Room of the Week: From Dull Verandah to a Delightful Living Area
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Absolutely wonderful colours and use of space. I would love to have a pantry like that.
What was the brand and colour of the timber flooring please ?
It’s custom stained solid euro oak flooring