A fitting addition redesign of Arts and Crafts style kitchen by Celia Visser

Tones, materials, design features there are many ways for a modern kitchen to link back to the house it forms part of. The tricky part can be to achieve a sense of overall balance.

This kitchen, by designer Celia Visser, replaces a tired, awkward space in an Arts and Crafts-style house built in 1940. The owner wanted the new kitchen to look as if it had been there forever, says Visser.

"She also wanted it to have contemporary utility and a design that included something of her own artistic personality.

"In the new layout, we introduced an island with prep sink and dishwasher to allow the owner to cook and socialise at the same time. The front of the island has a textured concrete finish that mimics the raked concrete of the home's Arts and Crafts exterior."

Several existing cabinets were repurposed, with interiors painted in distinct hues to match the crockery displayed within or to tone with adjacent surfaces. The diversity of colours helps suggest a kitchen built up over time. Visser also designed custom cabinets with each drawer size and handle different from the last, adding to the gathered-together effect.

Continuing the theme, wooden pull-out chopping boards and domed stainless steel edging on the pantry shelves evoke a look that was popular in the middle of the last century.

Green-grey cabinetry harks back to the tones of the old kitchen, while stainless steel benchtops match the modern appliances, yet have the 1940s look required. The circular table top was made from timber found on site and its base is an old grindstone, also found on the property.

"There are several artistic flourishes," says Visser. "The owner asked a street artist to create the angel on the back wall when you look closely, you can see a spray can in each hand. She designed the leadlight window in the pantry herself after the style of Frank Lloyd Wright."

Story by: Charles Moxham