Pavilion HouseContemporary Kitchen, Sydney

7. Location: Sydney, NSWWhy we love it: Just stand back and take it in. We love the invitation to admire this stunning space, and the way the marble panels used solely on the outside of the island bench, tone down the ‘look at me’ aspect just enough.

Although it’s important to stay true to your interior style, don’t be afraid to challenge conventional thinking by mixing different metallic finishes in the same space. This kitchen provides a good example as the stainless-steel appliances and fittings recede into the background while the copper light fittings take centrestage.

1. The traditional kitchen work triangle has evolved beyond geometry The ‘kitchen work triangle’ refers to the relationship between the stovetop, fridge and sink, which were traditionally arranged at points of an invisible triangle. This concept came about in the 1940s when kitchens were usually smaller, sequestered rooms. Today, however, our kitchens come in countless configurations, from U-shape or large open-plan layouts to narrow single- or double-walled galley styles.Browse U-shaped kitchens

Opposites attractMarble has seen a huge resurgence in popularity throughout the kitchen, with its bold veining adding drama to surfaces, splashbacks and breakfast islands. However, it’s also pretty dramatic on the wallet, and as each slab of natural marble varies in colour and pattern, so does the price – expect to pay upwards of $800 per square metre. Therefore, dedicating a sizeable chunk of work surface to another material, such as wood or laminate, will save you a fortune and still retain that classic look.

Why is it so important?Knowing that you are doing your part to create a sustainable future should be enough of a motivating factor to implement these design principles. However, a more evident payoff is the immediate savings you will see in the cost of running your home. Many homes we are living in now that were built in the last 50 – or even five – years did not take into account our climate and environment. Up front, these homes required large amounts of energy and resources to initially be built. On top of this, the energy used to run these homes is huge and often wastes energy; working against the climate and putting further unnecessary strain on our environment. Basic passive design principles can be easily incorporated into your home design for no extra cost, and can reduce – or even eliminate – the need for auxiliary heating or cooling, which accounts for about 40 per cent of energy use in the average Australian home.

Think I prefer a tiled splashback to this marble one...

Pendant lights - a little bling?