Behind closed doors

The best of both worlds is provided by this kitchen connection with the living spaces and the ability to easily conceal any cooking clutter

Image of the kitchen and the dining room countertop, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, major appliance, product design, white, black — Image of the kitchen and the dining room which are connected by white lacquered sliding doors which allows the rooms become separate when needed. The lacquered doors also have shelves and racks incorporated for cutlery and pots etc.

Image of the kitchen and the dining room cabinetry, display case, furniture, interior design, kitchen, shelving, white, black

Image of the kitchen and the dining room cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, interior design, kitchen, room, white

Image of the kitchen and the dining room countertop, dining room, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, table, white

Image of the kitchen and the dining room countertop, dining room, furniture, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, table, white

Image of the kitchen and the dining room countertop, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, table, white

One of the joys of modern kitchen design is the easy flow created between the kitchen and living areas. No longer does the cook have to be shut away from family activities or conversation with guests. The downside, however, is that you either need to be a tidy cook or not worry about the mess being on display for all to see.

The kitchen featured here is part of a large, open-plan family living area in a new, very modern home. The owners, who have four children and entertain regularly, wanted a kitchen that had an easy connection with the family living spaces, but which could also be sealed off when required.

Architect Julian Guthrie's plan created a kitchen in two distinct parts. Behind a Corian-topped island breakfast bar, two panels slide back to reveal a drinks refrigerator, sink, tea-and-coffee-facilities and toaster, as well as a stainless steel servery and racks for crockery, glassware and pots and pans.

To maintain the clean-lined, contemporary look found in the rest of the house, the benchtop on the island is made from a very thin, 12mm slab of Corian that appears to float above its travertine marble base. On the side facing the sliding panels, the island has white lacquered cabinets containing an integrated dishwasher and crockery storage.

The second part of the kitchen is a walk-in scullery accessed through a door beside the sliding panels. Fitted out as a commercial kitchen, it has stainless steel benchtops, splashbacks, cabinetry and appliances. It includes a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, a freestanding gas oven, microwave, large pantry, second sink and dishwasher. The cabinets are also accessible from the scullery.

"The owners did not want a kitchen that was completely shut off, because they like to entertain.Nor did they want cooking clutter and dirty dishes on view in their living spaces. This design provides a large, highly functional kitchen that does not detract from the appearance of the spacious, open-plan living areas," says Guthrie.

The same simple but striking palette of colours and materials used throughout the house carries into the kitchen. White lacquered cabinetry and sliding doors and a white Corian benchtop contrast with the dark wenge timber floor.

"This kitchen is a sophisticated centrepiece of the living spaces, because it is extremely easy to keep clean and tidy," he says.