Room of the Week: A Modern Kitchen With a Dash of Old-World Charm
An all-white kitchen is elevated to something truly special with sumptuous natural materials and a hidden surprise
Georgia Madden
8 February 2019
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
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 Boston Parker
Answers and kitchen design by Chris Ruffé, director at Bondi Kitchens
Interior design by Louisa Shipman at Shipman Interiors
Who lives here: A couple with two teenagers
Location: Riverview, NSW
Room purpose and size: A family kitchen measuring approximately 18 square metres
Answers and kitchen design by Chris Ruffé, director at Bondi Kitchens
Interior design by Louisa Shipman at Shipman Interiors
Who lives here: A couple with two teenagers
Location: Riverview, NSW
Room purpose and size: A family kitchen measuring approximately 18 square metres
Brief
To design a timeless, serene and elegant look with a hint of old-world European luxury. The clients sought a simple colour palette and a layering of tactile materials that created depth and harmony.
Given this is a kitchen in a family home, functionality was important. The space needed to work hard, with easy access to items and no overly complicated details. The new central kitchen island needed to have ample space around it to let family members circulate around the kitchen with ease. A pantry nook was specified to provide a functional yet beautiful separate work space.
To design a timeless, serene and elegant look with a hint of old-world European luxury. The clients sought a simple colour palette and a layering of tactile materials that created depth and harmony.
Given this is a kitchen in a family home, functionality was important. The space needed to work hard, with easy access to items and no overly complicated details. The new central kitchen island needed to have ample space around it to let family members circulate around the kitchen with ease. A pantry nook was specified to provide a functional yet beautiful separate work space.
The kitchen before works
The kitchen before works
The kitchen before works
Starting point
The main objective was to utilise the natural light coming in through huge bi-fold glass doors that span the full length of the room and open onto the pool area. Getting the layout right was imperative to achieving the right flow in the room.
The main objective was to utilise the natural light coming in through huge bi-fold glass doors that span the full length of the room and open onto the pool area. Getting the layout right was imperative to achieving the right flow in the room.
The floor plan
Key design aspects
Colour palette: White and pale grey with brass accents. Layering tactile materials allowed us to create depth within the predominantly white colour scheme.
Colour palette: White and pale grey with brass accents. Layering tactile materials allowed us to create depth within the predominantly white colour scheme.
Materials palette: CDK Stone Bianco Gioia 20-millimetre leather-finish marble (a leathered finish has a slightly textured surface, like leather) on the benchtops, splashback and integrated shelf. Skheme Piccolo Carrara mosaic tiles in the pantry nook splashback. Briggs Veneers American Oak veneer cabinetry with a two-pack polyurethane painted satin finish in Dulux White on White. Hettich Wingline bi-fold doors to the pantry nook. The cabinetry edging is solid American oak.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings: Brass handles from Mother Of Pearl & Sons Trading. Oddments pendant light in brass and frosted glass from Volker Haug. Icon aged brass tap from Astra Walker. Pitt Cooking floating cooktop burner. Sweni bar stools from Uniqwa Furniture.
The mood board
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
The inclusion of a pantry nook made the kitchen feel larger by allowing this work station to be concealed when not in use. It provides plenty of extra space for storage and an additional food-preparation zone. It can be hidden away when desired behind Hettich Wingline bi-fold doors.
The dishwasher and fridge are concealed behind cupboard doors for a seamless look.
The inclusion of a pantry nook made the kitchen feel larger by allowing this work station to be concealed when not in use. It provides plenty of extra space for storage and an additional food-preparation zone. It can be hidden away when desired behind Hettich Wingline bi-fold doors.
The dishwasher and fridge are concealed behind cupboard doors for a seamless look.
The pantry nook is far more than an appliance cupboard – it’s an extra work station complete with internal lighting, power outlets, a luxurious stone benchtop, and it has space for food preparation and storage. It is located close to the fridge and island bench for ease of use and to contain traffic to the one area.
Challenges you worked around
None.
None.
Why do you think this room works?
The proportions – the size and layout of the island paired with the full-height joinery make the space grand and generous, and together they create a cohesive feel.
The materials, colour and texture selection also adds to the simple yet luxurious ambiance. There are just two main materials used here – stone and American Oak. However, the grain in both the marble and the timber create an elegant, contemporary and timeless feel.
The proportions – the size and layout of the island paired with the full-height joinery make the space grand and generous, and together they create a cohesive feel.
The materials, colour and texture selection also adds to the simple yet luxurious ambiance. There are just two main materials used here – stone and American Oak. However, the grain in both the marble and the timber create an elegant, contemporary and timeless feel.
Tell us
What’s your favourite feature in this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
More
Itching to see more stunning interiors? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: A Small, Modern Bathroom in Charcoal and White
What’s your favourite feature in this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like and save this story, and join the conversation.
More
Itching to see more stunning interiors? Take a look at last week’s Room of the Week: A Small, Modern Bathroom in Charcoal and White
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Thanks Annie and AB for your feedback, it's always welcome and how as a designer we grow.
In this case the bi-folds when opened still allow ample walking space to access the fridge without issue and both the fridge and pantry can be open at the same time. The little bit of exercise to walk the extra step to the fridge can't be a bad thing right? ;)
Yes, it's definitely a pretty pantry but as we all know things can get messy and it's great to have the option to be able to close the doors if needed. Not much different to opening a cupboard but in this case you don't always feel the need to have to close it.
A step in pantry like this can also house toasters, kettles, microwaves, blenders, mixers etc A hard working pantry that still looks beautiful enough to be on show is a win win for me every time.
In saying all of the above, as an Interior Designer my number one goal is to create a space that is not only aesthetically beautiful but needs to meet the needs of each individual client. Step in pantries, marble bench tops or white kitchens aren't for everyone but for this client it most definitely was.
Beautiful. Practicality could have been improved by installing doors that hide away within the joinery both sides of the pantry when opened. Don't know what they are called but they save those swinging doors intruding into the kitchen space.