Room of the Week: Dazzling Stone is Centrestage in This Kitchen
Luxurious without being flashy, this apartment kitchen places stunning natural stone at the centre of its design
Vanessa Walker
12 April 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 Live by the Sea Photography
Answers and styling by Graeme Metcalf, multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia
Who lives here: A couple who wanted to downsize and be closer to the centre of Sydney
Location: Millers Point, NSW
Room purpose and size: A medium-size kitchen, living area and dining room
Approximate budget: $100,000
Answers and styling by Graeme Metcalf, multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia
Who lives here: A couple who wanted to downsize and be closer to the centre of Sydney
Location: Millers Point, NSW
Room purpose and size: A medium-size kitchen, living area and dining room
Approximate budget: $100,000
Brief
The homeowners felt the existing kitchen, living and dining spaces were too small and disconnected from one another. The builder opened up the space and enlarged it by removing the adjoining third bedroom of the apartment – not something most homeowners would do, but in this situation it made perfect sense.
Redesigning your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz to make it happen
The homeowners felt the existing kitchen, living and dining spaces were too small and disconnected from one another. The builder opened up the space and enlarged it by removing the adjoining third bedroom of the apartment – not something most homeowners would do, but in this situation it made perfect sense.
Redesigning your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz to make it happen
The kitchen before works
The homeowners could now have the open-plan kitchen with an island that they desired, as well as a far more impressive dining and living space.
The homeowners could now have the open-plan kitchen with an island that they desired, as well as a far more impressive dining and living space.
The view into the kitchen before works
The main considerations of the kitchen were that it had to be well laid-out, very clean looking and without adornment. The materials specified had to be luxurious, with the inclusion of natural stone and timber being a priority. Having a large kitchen island where they could prepare food, store items, entertain and have casual meals was of high importance.
The main considerations of the kitchen were that it had to be well laid-out, very clean looking and without adornment. The materials specified had to be luxurious, with the inclusion of natural stone and timber being a priority. Having a large kitchen island where they could prepare food, store items, entertain and have casual meals was of high importance.
The new floor plan
Starting point
The granite stone was one of the first pieces chosen by the homeowners. Delicatus White Granite is a unique and energetic stone that really draws your attention.
The granite stone was one of the first pieces chosen by the homeowners. Delicatus White Granite is a unique and energetic stone that really draws your attention.
Close up, you can see clear sections of stone, which gives the flat surface depth and translucency. We were also alerted that there would be a new timber floor laid. Both elements strongly dictated future material, textural and colour selection.
Key design elements
Colour palette
Colour palette
- Monochromatic with whites, charcoals and gunmetal grey.
- The monochrome palette is warmed by the subtle blonde of the timber floor and warm white lighting.
- Materials were key to striking a balance within this palette of colours.
Materials palette
- Delicatus White Granite island benchtop and splashbacks.
- Dark timber-veneer joinery work.
- White polyurethane wall-cabinet doors.
- White quartz-based stone to the peripheral L-shape benchtop.
- Gunmetal taps, handles and lighting, custom-coated to match each other.
- French oak parquetry flooring.
Key pieces of furniture
- Sub-Zero integrated bottom-mount refrigerator, 914 millimetres wide.
- V-Zug 45cm Combi Steam Oven.
- V-Zug 60-centimetre Combair Oven.
- Sharp microwave, built-in with custom timber veneer panel.
- V-Zug 60-centimetre integrated dishwasher.
- V-Zug gas cooktop.
- V-Zug induction cooktop.
- Qasair Rangecraft recirculating range hood with plasma air purifier.
- Newform Libera tap range in gunmetal.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
It’s a classic L-shaped kitchen with an island – a very functional layout that has everything within easy reach.
The granite island faces towards the living space for maximum visual impact. The cooktop could only be positioned along either wall, as an island cooktop with downdraft extraction is impossible in most apartment settings, while canopy range hoods crowd the space.
We tend to place refrigerators towards the dining area for quick access while dining. The main washing area was moved to the rear wall with a small sink and tap incorporated into the island mainly for food preparation.
It’s a classic L-shaped kitchen with an island – a very functional layout that has everything within easy reach.
The granite island faces towards the living space for maximum visual impact. The cooktop could only be positioned along either wall, as an island cooktop with downdraft extraction is impossible in most apartment settings, while canopy range hoods crowd the space.
We tend to place refrigerators towards the dining area for quick access while dining. The main washing area was moved to the rear wall with a small sink and tap incorporated into the island mainly for food preparation.
Challenges you worked around
One of the first things we do when designing apartment kitchens is measure the dimensions of the service elevator. The space within the lift determines the maximum single-piece size of the stone benchtop, refrigerators or joinery and is handy for designers to know upfront.
As such, the overall dimensions of the island top were restricted by the elevator space. Sometimes cranes can be organised to lift stone benchtops over balconies, but the apartment was too high for that.
One of the first things we do when designing apartment kitchens is measure the dimensions of the service elevator. The space within the lift determines the maximum single-piece size of the stone benchtop, refrigerators or joinery and is handy for designers to know upfront.
As such, the overall dimensions of the island top were restricted by the elevator space. Sometimes cranes can be organised to lift stone benchtops over balconies, but the apartment was too high for that.
Why do you think this room works?
It is a kitchen that reflects the personality of the homeowners. The bold granite is the first feature you notice but it’s balanced by elegant timber joinery, soft lighting, and textural parquet flooring. There’s a sophistication to the kitchen and it feels delightful to be in – everything has its place.
It is a kitchen that reflects the personality of the homeowners. The bold granite is the first feature you notice but it’s balanced by elegant timber joinery, soft lighting, and textural parquet flooring. There’s a sophistication to the kitchen and it feels delightful to be in – everything has its place.
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: A Rugged, Brutalist-Style Kitchen
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: A Rugged, Brutalist-Style Kitchen
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Love it but would prefer brass taps and other touches to bring some more warmth
Beautiful kitchen, I love the granite stone. Very unique and different. Congratulation on the V-Zug appliances. They are the best!
@davincicalbourne hi, I don’t have a an upright tall pantry, I am short and I don’t like reaching in into higher shelves even with drawers in them, I just can’t reach, I have 19 under bench soft close drawers in my kitchen, two are deep enough to store full size sauce/oil bottles and canisters with clear lids so I can see the contents at a glance, it won’t be for everyone but it works for me. Access to crockery, glasses etc is also easier and therefore I tend to use everything more often including the ‘good stuff’ which in our last home was stored in a sideboard cupboard.. good luck with your reno, it’s very stressful but always worth it in the end