Room of the Week: The Non-Conformist Family Kitchen (That Rocks!)
You don’t often find a kitchen brief littered with the phrases ‘non-conformist’, ‘unpredictable’ and ‘blow your mind'...
Vanessa Walker
7 December 2020
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 Peter Ellery
Answers by Leon House of Leon House Design
Who lives here: Leon House, his wife and two teenage sons
Location: Applecross (on the southern bank of Perht’s Swan River), WA
Room purpose and size: Kitchen plus walk-in pantry, 8.3 metres by five metres
Answers by Leon House of Leon House Design
Who lives here: Leon House, his wife and two teenage sons
Location: Applecross (on the southern bank of Perht’s Swan River), WA
Room purpose and size: Kitchen plus walk-in pantry, 8.3 metres by five metres
Brief
- We wanted it to be free, approachable and non- conformist in its set-up.
- Not new and modern looking, but to feel as though it had history and functionality.
- We wanted it to feel totally unpredictable, sublime and blow your mind.
- It was a bit of fun and not so serious. We were looking for a kitchen that had a bit of adventure!
Starting point
A large working social kitchen and interactive family space.
Redesigning your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews by previous clients
A large working social kitchen and interactive family space.
Redesigning your kitchen? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews by previous clients
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
In general, French style, which is seen in the chevron pattern used in the splashback and the mouldings. We custom-made the butler’s sink.
In general, French style, which is seen in the chevron pattern used in the splashback and the mouldings. We custom-made the butler’s sink.
Challenges you worked around
We had challenges in sticking to the original design. I had so many ideas I wanted to try, and with it being my own house, I was able to try them. Some of the later design changes can be seen in the difference in the layout between the cabinet drawing, the sketches and the final photos…
We had challenges in sticking to the original design. I had so many ideas I wanted to try, and with it being my own house, I was able to try them. Some of the later design changes can be seen in the difference in the layout between the cabinet drawing, the sketches and the final photos…
The floor plan
Leon changed the kitchen cabinetry on the fly – here’s his sketch of the new joinery
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Black, white and organic hues.
Materials palette: Brass, oak and stone.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian kitchens
Colour palette: Black, white and organic hues.
Materials palette: Brass, oak and stone.
Browse more images of beautiful Australian kitchens
Key fittings: The tapware is Armando Vicario Tink from Sea of White. The benchtop is in Alba stone. The stovetops are Wolf and the ovens are Gaggenau. The cupboards feature brass panels in stained-oak joinery. The wine fridge is Sub-Zero. The tiles are Manual Ocean (on the rangehood), Masia Blanco (behind the glasses shelves) and Masia Negro (near wall ovens) from Myaree Ceramics.
Why do you think this room works?
It has functionality, it’s spacious and it’s fun.
Your turn
What do you love about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Take a look at this Room of the Week: A Mustard-Yellow Banquette in a Crafted Kitchen
It has functionality, it’s spacious and it’s fun.
Your turn
What do you love about this kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more great design? Take a look at this Room of the Week: A Mustard-Yellow Banquette in a Crafted Kitchen
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@Clare Lyon We also designed for our decrepitude, lol. We have very low counters, because we are very short, and also sick of back pain! And we did exactly the same thing - we've been all over the world, and hubby gave me a clean slate and let me design the house when we built. I practically fought with the kitchen people, to get what I wanted - they were very set in their ways. However I won, as I was paying, and I had to laugh as one of the very next kitchens they put out had some elements of mine. I snicker every time I see their name.
The article kitchen is a style I've definitely seen around, so I don't know why people are saying it's new and different.
Good for you for incorporating what works for you and the space you have. More people should approach their homes logically with form following function - it leads to a lot less stress in daily life.
I know several people who wanted to 'live in a magazine picture', had a kitchen built on that, and sold their house a couple of years later because they hate it. The evils of being influenced biy 'image' and 'trend' in a nutshell.
I'm so happy for you that you have the house that you love and works for you through your own common sense.
A lot of elements blend together, it’s really amazing
@WB Comprehensive service PTY LTD,
Referencing your earlier comment - black is different from what? Can you elaborate?
I've seen plenty of black based kitchens, so it can't be just that?