Double meaning

Ergonomic efficiency is one thing but a kitchen also needs to suit the character of the home and design harmony is even more important when there are two kitchens, and they are set side by side.

The kitchens featured on these pages are the result of a collaboration between kitchen designer Leon House and Mark Rietveld from custom builder Buildwise.

"Part of the brief for the kitchens was to continue the vernacular of the rest of the home," says Rietveld. "To this end, furniture-like cabinetry, wood veneers, and a linear aesthetic feature in both the indoor and outdoor kitchens."

The kitchens themselves are also closely in tune. Upper wall cabinetry runs from inside to outside, right across the space. Each kitchen has an identical island, positioned as a mirror image of the other. Makore veneer features on the top and sides of both islands.

"We repeated the makore veneer behind the splashback on the indoor kitchen," says Leon House. "This feature surface is centred on the cooktop on the island and the sculptural rangehood above."

A light grey-olive tone on the remaining cabinetry and similar hues in the travertine stone floors running through both spaces provide additional material harmony.

With most of the appliances either integrated or tucked into the pantry corridor to the rear of the indoor kitchen, the space takes on an abstract, linear air.

The kitchens are equally well considered in terms of day-to-day use. While the symmetrical islands make a visual connection, the break between them allows speedy access to the rear of both cooking areas. Seating is arranged so as not to interrupt pedestrian flow.

"The cooktop is set on the island so the owners can talk with their children while cooking," says House. "A strip of mirrored bronze in the splashback means the adults can keep an eye on proceedings even when their backs are turned."

Story by: Charles Moxham