Design ideas for a transitional kitchen in Sydney with raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets and quartz benchtops.

This is an example of a modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Fully integrated appliances, soft veined marble, rich walbut veneer, reeded glass and polyurethane cupboards with a fine bevel-edge border.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets and with island.

Design ideas for a small contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Geelong with an undermount sink, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, beige floor and grey cabinets.

This is an example of an arts and crafts galley kitchen with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a contemporary galley kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Small scandinavian l-shaped kitchen in Brisbane with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Nestled within Sydney’s historic Millers Point, this 1860s Victorian terrace has been reimagined as a serene family sanctuary—where patina-rich surfaces meet contemporary elegance. The curated interiors tell a story of history-infused maximalism, where every layer reveals a detail in service of heritage, emotion, and craft. Lorena Gaxiola’s poetic vision was to celebrate the family’s tri-cultural identity through salvaged timbers, artisanal finishes, and restrained yet expressive craftsmanship. From reinstated cornices to hand-finished brass accents and kauri floorboards, each intervention evokes a dialogue between past and present. Realising that vision required deft navigation of significant constraints: extensive structural damage from decades of water ingress and termites, heritage restrictions that demanded visual continuity, and tight access that challenged the logistics of modern construction. As designers, we oversaw every detail—from heritage review and documentation to construction coordination and bespoke installations. Threading new electrical, climate, and plumbing systems through fragile timber bones took surgical precision. Yet the results were seamless: original chandeliers revived, floorboards restored or matched with reclaimed timber, and American oak joinery paired with brass trims and marble mosaics brought new life to tired volumes. Design decisions were driven by sustainability, narrative, and craftsmanship. Custom pieces were commissioned from masters in their field—such as Lowe Furniture’s bespoke creations and a custom mural by Indigenous artist Danie Mellor, which pays homage to the family’s cultural roots. Each space was approached with emotion and intentionality, particularly the bathrooms which the client described simply and joyfully as: “The bathrooms make me happy.” Every room in the home unfolds like a story—patterned tiles, textured stone, and layered materials come together to offer intimate moments of discovery. Our commitment extended from spatial planning to final flourishes. We handled styling, soft furnishing installation, custom window treatments, and every curated object. Furniture was sourced locally, materials were salvaged when possible, and thoughtful detailing elevated every corner. The result is a timeless, emotionally resonant home—one that celebrates craftsmanship, elevates functionality, and preserves a precious piece of Sydney’s architectural legacy for generations to come.

Inspiration for a small modern single-wall open plan kitchen in Barcelona with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, beige splashback, timber splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, no island, beige floor, grey benchtop and recessed.

This bright and light shaker style kitchen is painted in bespoke Tom Howley paint colour; Chicory, the light Ivory Spice granite worktops and Mazzano Tumbled marble flooring create a heightened sense of space.

Polly Eltes
Photo of a large contemporary separate kitchen in Gloucestershire with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Photo of a contemporary galley kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, with island, black floor and white benchtop.

Roundhouse bespoke Urbo matt lacquer kitchen in dark grey with stainless steel worksurface.
This is an example of a large contemporary open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, concrete floors and an integrated sink.

When the homeowners purchased this Victorian family home, they immediately set about planning the extension that would create a more viable space for an open plan kitchen, dining and living area. Approximately two years later their dream home is now finished. The extension was designed off the original kitchen and has a large roof lantern that sits directly above the main kitchen and soft seating area beyond. French windows open out onto the garden which is perfect for the summer months. This is truly a classic contemporary space that feels so calm and collected when you walk in – the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern family living. Carefully zoning the kitchen, dining and living areas was the key to the success of this project and it works perfectly. The classic Lacanche range cooker is housed in a false chimney that is designed to suit the proportion and scale of the room perfectly. The Lacanche oven is the 100cm Cluny model with two large ovens – one static and one dual function static / convection with a classic 5 burner gas hob. Finished in stainless steel with a brass trim, this classic French oven looks completely at home in this Humphrey Munson kitchen. The main prep area is on the island positioned directly in front of the main cooking run, with a prep sink handily located to the left hand side. There is seating for three at the island with a breakfast bar at the opposite end to the prep sink which is conveniently located near to the banquette dining area. Delineated from the prep area by the natural wooden worktop finished in Portobello oak (the same accent wood used throughout the kitchen), the breakfast bar is a great spot for serving drinks to friends before dinner or for the children to have their meals at breakfast time and after school. The sink run is on the other side of the L shape in this kitchen and it has open artisan shelves above for storing everyday items like glassware and tableware. Either side of the sink is an integrated Miele dishwasher and a pull out Eurocargo bin to make clearing away dishes really easy. The use of open shelving here really helps the space to feel open and calm and there is a curved countertop cupboard in the corner providing space for storing teas, coffees and biscuits so that everything is to hand when making hot drinks. The Fisher & Paykel fridge freezer has Nickleby cabinetry surrounding it with space above for storing cookbooks but there is also another under-counter fridge in the island for additional cold food storage. The cook’s pantry provides masses of storage for dry ingredients as well as housing the freestanding microwave which is always a fantastic option when you want to keep integrated appliances to a minimum in order to maximise storage space in the main kitchen. Hardware throughout this kitchen is antique brass – this is a living finish that weathers with use over time. The glass globe pendant lighting above the island was designed by us and has antique brass hardware too. The flooring is Babington limestone tumbled which has bags of character thanks to the natural fissures within the stone and creates the perfect flooring choice for this classic contemporary kitchen. Photo Credit: Paul Craig

Contemporary kitchen. Photo by Nathalie Priem
Large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Other with marble benchtops, terrazzo floors, beige benchtop, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, with island, grey floor, an undermount sink, beige splashback, marble splashback and panelled appliances.

Whole house refurbishment, completed as part of De Rosee Sa Architects
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Vista principale della cucina con tavolo da pranzo centrale e lampade di design, i meteriali scelti creano un contrasto perfetto con il parquet a spina di pesce

For all the elements of a contemporary kitchen design, choose Croft. Handcrafted in Leicestershire, this luxury style with its panelled cabinets and elegant chrome knobs exudes class and sophistication. Our smart combination of 13 painted finishes allows you to play with colour for a look that’s unique to your home. Choose from a calming palette of ivory or pebble grey. Or for a dark, distinctive look create a focal point with charcoal.

Peter Landers
Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, concrete benchtops, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.