Room Of The Week
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Room of the Week: Kitchen Contracts for Couple, Caters for Crowds
A view to the bay was key to this kitchen, as well as the ability to close up for a couple or expand for extended family
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
This was a sea-change house, the clients moved from a rural farm – where they had grown up and lived all of their lives – to the coast. They wanted to make the most of the large, sloping site and expansive views of the Mornington Peninsula as well as the bay. The house needed to be able to adapt to host their large extended family and friends but then contract and feel ‘small’ when occupied only by the couple and their adult children, when they visited.
This kitchen needed to be open, but the owners wanted to have all of the storage concealed or tucked away to maximise usable space.
This was a sea-change house, the clients moved from a rural farm – where they had grown up and lived all of their lives – to the coast. They wanted to make the most of the large, sloping site and expansive views of the Mornington Peninsula as well as the bay. The house needed to be able to adapt to host their large extended family and friends but then contract and feel ‘small’ when occupied only by the couple and their adult children, when they visited.
This kitchen needed to be open, but the owners wanted to have all of the storage concealed or tucked away to maximise usable space.
Starting point
The view.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Dark-blue joinery and walls and grey-blue tiles to reference the bay and sky. Timber and brass, white and light grey.
The view.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Dark-blue joinery and walls and grey-blue tiles to reference the bay and sky. Timber and brass, white and light grey.
Key pieces of furniture: Archier Highline suspended light from Rakumba Lighting. Ceramic splashback tiles from Anchor Ceramics. Viccarbe Last Minute bar stools from Hub Furniture.
Dining: Lambert & Fils Cliff Dome pendant light from Living Edge. Lowe Atticus dining table from Hub Furniture. Muuto Visu chair from Living Edge.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture and fixtures
The main areas of the house were designed as a ‘connected’ plan (rather than open-plan); a series of linked, distinct and flexible indoor and outdoor living spaces. These spaces (including the kitchen and dining areas) are organised around a dark, densely packed volume housing the functional needs of the house, the pantry, storage, laundry, kitchen joinery, garage and guest toilet. The indoor and outdoor living spaces are all connected visually when closed but can be opened up and connected to cater for large extended family gatherings.
The furniture and lighting is low or horizontal to maximise views through and out of the space to the surrounding bay and peninsula.
The main areas of the house were designed as a ‘connected’ plan (rather than open-plan); a series of linked, distinct and flexible indoor and outdoor living spaces. These spaces (including the kitchen and dining areas) are organised around a dark, densely packed volume housing the functional needs of the house, the pantry, storage, laundry, kitchen joinery, garage and guest toilet. The indoor and outdoor living spaces are all connected visually when closed but can be opened up and connected to cater for large extended family gatherings.
The furniture and lighting is low or horizontal to maximise views through and out of the space to the surrounding bay and peninsula.
Challenges you worked around
Designing a kitchen and dining space that could adapt for larger gatherings but not feel cavernous when the couple was alone in their house. Creating plenty of concealed storage and bench space without it feeling overwhelming.
Designing a kitchen and dining space that could adapt for larger gatherings but not feel cavernous when the couple was alone in their house. Creating plenty of concealed storage and bench space without it feeling overwhelming.
The floor plan
Why do you think this room works?
The multi-purpose kitchen bench works really well for the clients’ lifestyle. There is a lot of usable bench space and good circulation between cooking zones. The pantry is discreet and allows all the bulky kitchen appliances and supplies to be tucked away, which the clients were hoping for. The kitchen and dining are visually connected to other areas of the house but not completely open, so it still feels contained. A mix of ambient and task lighting works well too.
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 this story, and join in the conversation.
More
Love creative design? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: A Secret Kitchen With a Dash of French Flair
The multi-purpose kitchen bench works really well for the clients’ lifestyle. There is a lot of usable bench space and good circulation between cooking zones. The pantry is discreet and allows all the bulky kitchen appliances and supplies to be tucked away, which the clients were hoping for. The kitchen and dining are visually connected to other areas of the house but not completely open, so it still feels contained. A mix of ambient and task lighting works well too.
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 this story, and join in the conversation.
More
Love creative design? Check out last week’s Room of the Week: A Secret Kitchen With a Dash of French Flair
Answers by Martin Musiatowicz, architect and director, Kart Projects
Who lives here: A retired couple (with adult children who frequently come to stay)
Location: Mount Martha, Victoria
Room purpose and size: Kitchen and dining area, 30 square metres in total