A natural approach is part of the charm of this kitchen

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Colours and materials in this kitchen were selected for their subtle connections with the rest of the house

Designed by Sian Gillanders, this kitchen is finished cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, gray, brown — Designed by Sian Gillanders, this kitchen is finished in a palette of earthy colors and natural materials.

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Tall cabinets flank the refrigerator at one end cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, interior design, kitchen, room, brown, orange

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In this new kitchen, a breakfast bar in cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, under cabinet lighting, brown

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Small details of colour, material or finishing repeated from one area of a house to another can be so subtle that they are barely noticeable. Yet the effect helps to create a strong sense of visual continuity and ensures a smooth flow through the house.

When Sian Gillanders designed this kitchen for a new home, she drew her inspiration from the contemporary, slightly Frank Lloyd Wright style of the architecture, and restricted her material choices to the natural finishes planned for the rest of the property natural stone, travertine, timber and stainless steel.

The architect had already specified white oak for built-in cabinetry in the living room, and schist stone featured in details on the outside of the house as well as on the inside.

A warm, earthy, hen's-egg brown colour, selected for the front entrance, dining and lounge areas, was carried through into the kitchen on a side wall.

Stainless steel benchtops were chosen for their classic, timeless look, the designer says. "They also complement the brown colour of the walls and work well with the natural stone and timber finishes."

The owners wanted the kitchen to include an island with a seating area, but the size of the space indicated the island would need to be around 4m long which could have looked a little out of proportion, the designer says.

"We felt the island had to be fairly long to balance the length of benchtop along the back of the kitchen, so we designed a cantilevered timber top at one end for seating, which added a furniture element to the island."

The timber breakfast bar also provides a counterpoint to the stainless steel benches, adding visual warmth, as does the timber hood.

For maximum convenience, the designer limited storage to under-bench cabinetry. Two aluminium roller doors flanking the refrigerator conceal the appliance garage and home office.

The owners say they wanted their new kitchen to flow well with the interior scheme of the rest of the house.

"It had to be a workable blend of form and function. While functionality was critical, appearance was also important," they say.