Award-winning formula

With a design inspired by its beachfront setting, this sleek kitchen took top honours in the NKBA Kitchen of the Year Awards 2005

A kitchen designed by the winner of the cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, living room, room, wood, wood flooring, gray — A kitchen designed by the winner of the "NKBA" kitchen of the year awards.

A view of a kitchen area, wooden flooring, countertop, interior design, kitchen, product design, table, brown, gray

A view of a kitchen area, wooden flooring cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, plywood, shelf, shelving, wood, wood flooring, orange

A view of a kitchen area, wooden flooring, architecture, ceiling, countertop, daylighting, floor, flooring, hardwood, house, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, loft, room, tile, wall, wood, wood flooring, white, black

A view of a kitchen area, wooden flooring, countertop, interior design, kitchen, product design, gray, brown

Kitchen design that responds to the local environment as well as the needs of homeowners can be a winning formula. For the designer of the kitchen on these pages, taking the natural approach paid off the kitchen won the NKBA Kitchen of the Year Award.

Designed by Morgan Cronin of Cronin Kitchens, Remuera, the kitchen takes its cue from the home's beachside and estuary setting. The sand-coloured cabinetry features American white ash treated with white oil a finish similar to the wood flooring. Simple white Corian benchtops complement the cabinetry.

Cronin says the owners wanted a functional kitchen where they could entertain family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere. The design also needed to reinforce the modern look of the beach house. Generous, easy-care surfaces and lots of storage to minimise clutter were further requirements.

The kitchen sits in the centre of the large living space, providing the separation required for the dining, kitchen and living areas. Two islands accommodate cooking and food preparation areas the design and a slim-line hood ensure the views are not obstructed. A bank of cabinetry along one wall provides additional storage.

The Runner-Up in the NKBA Kitchen of the Year Awards was Lloyd Richardson of Lloyd's Joinery in Invercargill. His entry features a kitchen designed to be the centrepiece of an apartment.

Richardson says the kitchen needed to feature clean lines with accents of timber and Queenstown schist. While the owner wanted the design to suit the local environment, it also needed to have a point of difference.

This was achieved by incorporating a stone wall that extends from the apartment entrance. To integrate the wall with the kitchen units, Richardson specified black-stained timber veneer with a horizontal grain for the adjacent cabinetry.

Other features include a built-in rangehood and a semi-cantilevered island. This has a cantilevered granite bar top with a stainless steel edge.

This year's award was sponsored by Hettich NZ. Ameron Coatings sponsored the winner's trip to England to represent New Zealand in the International Design Awards.

For more details on these two kitchen projects, contact Cronin Kitchens, phone (09) 836 6192, and Lloyd's Joinery, phone (03) 215 8383. For association details, contact the NKBA, PO Box 11-183, Papamoa, Bay of Plenty, phone 0900 4 NKBA (46522), fax (07) 574 2561. Email: info@nkba.org.nz. Website: www.nkba.org.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas

09 Aug, 2005

Kitchen

Trendsideas

Home kitchen bathroom commercial design

Award-winning formula

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