The underlit cantilevered countertop provides a sculptural feature in this entertainer’s kitchen

Opening up to the wider interior – and to the outdoors as well – this light-filled, hard-working kitchen provides a social hub and a harmonious focal point

With a cantilevered island presenting an open aesthetic

Having ventilation integrated into the overhead wall cabinetry

This kitchen island includes deep drawers with cutlery

This kitchen island offers casual seating and is

For this entertainer’s kitchen by designer Kirsty Davis,

The cabinetry in this kitchen – by Kirsty

At dusk, this workspace takes on even more

A coved ceiling and tile footprint are just

With glass slider beside and glass splashback behind,

An on-show, practical kitchen has to achieve many things – a great work triangle and choice of high-end appliances are only the half of it.

The homeowners’ brief for this kitchen was to create a space that would be functional for a busy family and have an open-plan layout that flows into the adjacent dining area and living spaces, says designer Kirsty Davis.

"The idea was to create one large, open-plan functional space which would also make the outdoor areas easy to access."

The kitchen also had to extend back into an open walk-in pantry area. For this reason it was important to keep the cabinetry materials consistent throughout – so it would feel like one large space, rather than a really nice kitchen with a pantry not to the same level of finish.

“Of course this was especially the case with the pantry having no door to close off the space,” says Davis. “Plus, the walk-in pantry had to house laundry appliances discreetly – but placement of these still had to be functional.”

With the home constructed in tilt slab formed concrete and with these walls exposed on the interior, it was important to bring warmth into the space. This was achieved with the addition of wood feature panels on the island and around the tall units in the pantry area.

“The wood adds warmth and texture and ideally complements the rough concrete wall surfaces. Introducing matt white and matt slate on the cabinetry further softens the look.”

In addition, the kitchen has a low long window at splashback height. This brings the outside greenery in, making the kitchen feel organic and creating an ever-changing view.

Having a seating area at one end of the island allows someone working in the kitchen to socialise at the same time. This is not only practical, it adds to the kitchen’s relaxed feel.

With the large sliding doors adjacent to the kitchen pulled back, the open, cantilevered end to the island makes it all feel like one large space.

“The coloured and textured concrete floor tile works well with the kitchen colour scheme and the textured splashback tile in the pantry,” says Davis. “The colours are simple but effective.”

The benchtop’s beautiful suede finish wears really well and also keeps this organic and textural element at the forefront of the design.

Concealed strip lighting introduces a further level of sophistication to the kitchen at night.