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Black kitchen in black house designed by owner-designer David Ponting references the '50s

Black oak veneer cabinets, black grooved ply walls and stainless steel benchtops feature in this modern kitchen by David Ponting

In this new kitchen designed by owner David architecture, countertop, house, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, gray, black
In this new kitchen designed by owner David Ponting, a sparkling, transparent 1970s Sciolari chandelier contrasts the solid black elements. The wire-brushed oak veneer cabinets and grooved plywood walls are painted black to match the curtains, window joinery, and the colour of the house exterior.

Seen in isolation, this black kitchen is a real conversation piece. But it's not so surprising when you come from the outside in the house itself is entirely black and wrapped in corrugated steel.

But the architecture was not about making a bold contemporary statement, says designer-owner David Ponting of Ponting Fitzgerald.

"It was more about making a reference to the location. The house is in a street of 1950s brick-and-tile homes, beside the water. Both these elements have influenced the design of the house and the kitchen.

"The house resembles a coastal barn, unashamedly inspired by the Team New Zealand boatsheds in Auckland, while the interior was generated from the simple Kiwi ideals of the '50s and '60s."

Ponting says he and his wife Atlanta Miles wanted a pre-loved look.


In this black kitchen there are three brass architecture, countertop, interior design, kitchen, black, white
In this black kitchen there are three brass pendant lights, custom-made from old artillery shells. The lights have LED fittings. Although modern, the square-edged sink recalls the shape of washtubs from the 50s. The design is by David Ponting.

"We chose materials and products that enhance a sense of items collected over time, a cobbled-together look. The doors in the house are from an old bungalow, and the walls, which are painted in high-gloss black, are vertically grooved plywood reminiscent of tongue-and-groove boards."

In keeping with this theme, the cabinets feature oak veneer over plywood. The oak was wire brushed to strip out the soft grain, and hand-painted to achieve a black gloss finish.

The cabinets are teamed with stainless steel benchtops and hand-glazed inky blue tiles on the splashback.

"We wanted the space to be dark and moody a little bit theatrical," says Ponting. "The tiles create a touch of drama. They reflect the estuary beyond, and the varying tones create a lovely ripple effect."

Doors on either side of the kitchen open to a pantry and refrigerator respectively.

A Vibiemme Domobar coffee machine was plumbed into cabinetry, countertop, interior design, kitchen, room, black
A Vibiemme Domobar coffee machine was plumbed into this kitchen for ease of use. The refrigerator occupies a niche behind a door. This space juts out from the house, which makes it reminiscent of a traditional food safe. The design is by David Ponting.

"The space accommodating the refrigerator space pops out from the side of the house, much like a traditional food safe in an older home," the designer says. "Although this wasn't designed for that reason; it was simply the best way to maximise the space."

Ponting says every item was chosen to reinforce the sense of old meets new, including the choice of a range over a built-in oven.

"We didn't want a slick, contemporary kitchen. While this kitchen is modern, it has the relaxed, nostalgic character of a much older home."

Credit list

Designer
David Pointing, Ponting Fitzgerald (Auckland)
Cabinetry
Painted American oak veneer
Splashback
Middle Earth Tiles
Oven and cooktop
Parmco
Refrigerator
Samsung
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended
Kitchen manufacturer
Form Design
Benchtops
Stainless steel
Taps
Metrix
Dishwasher
Fisher & Paykel
Coffee machine
Vibiemme Domobar

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Jamie Cobel

30 Jun, 2015

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