Contemporary, open-plan kitchen with battens on island and variety of benchtops

Multiple dedicated work zones and multiple surface finishes could be tricky to juggle in a kitchen project. However, it's just these kinds of challenges that bring out the best in a designer.

For this project, by designer Natalie Du Bois, the client wanted a multifunctional kitchen that would release them from the constraints of their tired, u-shaped kitchen designed in the eighties.

"By reconfiguring the space occupied by the existing kitchen and laundry, we were able to create a number of dedicated work zones an area for preparing hot and cold drinks, a private pantry, and a discreet television area, together with bar seating and an informal dining area while still preserving the laundry," says Du Bois.

For the overall look and feel, the client requested a white-themed kitchen contrasted with dark timber. However, they were open to using texture and colour to create interest.

"We introduced both in a variety of ways, including contrasting white lacquered cabinets with both the horizontal-battened charcoal stained door panels and the mitred battens that wrap around the central island."

In addition, a variety of benchtop materials was used for the different work zones. Dark granite on the back bench was chosen to highlight the serene marine green glass tiles on the splashback above and to allow the hob to blend in. The pantry is kept clean and minimalist by the combination of a crisp white engineered stone benchtop matched with charcoal timber cabinets and pale green lacquered back panels and coloured glass.

"We placed emphasis on the island taking centre stage by using Princess White quartzite in a textured, leather finish. This stone has soft green tones that pick up on the sea green of the splashback directly behind the island," she says.

The natural wood floor grounds the two-tone design, while the shiny stainless steel toekicks complement the tapware and ovens.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Kallan MacLeod