Centre of attention

Dramatic black cabinetry frames a glass splashback with verdant outlooks in this clean-lined kitchen that neatly divides the home's living zones

The design idea was to create a long wall of white joinery with the kitchen element standing out in contrasting black blackbutt veneer.

The island is used for seating at breakfast

The island also functions as a divider to

The kitchen has a generous feel despite having

Large sliding doors were installed on the opposite

The kitchen is positioned at the pivotal point

Designed by Erik Rudolfsson, RAAarchitects

From the architects:

This kitchen forms part of extensive alterations and additions to a 1940s free-standing house on a steep block overlooking Clovelly, NSW, for a young family who enjoy cooking and entertaining.

Despite the ocean views from the front of the house, the living areas are oriented to the north and to the rear of the property to allow for direct connection to the garden and pool.

The kitchen is positioned at the pivotal point between the family room, the dining room and the rear terrace, garden and pool.

The open-plan family/dining and kitchen room is relatively narrow, and the brief required additional storage.

Design response

The design idea was to create a long wall of joinery (in natural white polyurethane to match walls) with the kitchen part thought of as a piece of joinery, cantilevering out from the joinery wall in a contrasting material – black blackbutt veneer.

Large sliding doors were installed on the opposite side of the room to visually extend the space to the boundary. Instead of a splashback, a frameless window was introduced along behind the benchtop to allow natural light and provide the chef with views of plants whilst cooking.

The island is the main food preparation and cleaning area. It also functions as a divider to the dining and circulation area and is used for seating at breakfast time and to interact with the cook.

To enhance the ‘floating’ effect at night, we introduced LED strip lighting on top of and below the joinery.

There is plenty of natural light with large sliding doors and skylights. At night the room is discretely lit by LED strip lighting in the ‘skylight troughs’ over the island and by a feature pendant light over the dining room table.

Appliances are generally integrated. Small appliances are housed in the appliance cupboard which also bi-folds open onto the benchtop.

The finished design is practical, user-friendly and beautiful.