Centre of attention

Designed by Gavin Hepper, Concepts by Gavin Hepper

From the designer:

Design brief

Engaged after construction was well under-way, we were asked to bring the WOW factor and transform the interior spaces of this new build contemporary family home to reflect elegance and European luxury.

Being a family home, the kitchen needed to be durable and functional for a large extended family that enjoy cooking and entertaining.

It also needed to include a specific ‘morning zone' – required for coffee and juices.

Another request was for a focus on sustainable and ethical materials and products.

Design Statement

The house is a contemporary new build, with clean lines and raw finishes in the base architecture.

The interior detail and tactile materials write a narrative of scale and contemporary luxe in a classical colour palette of deep blue, bronze, formed concrete, timber and stone elements.

The kitchen area is in the heart of the home. Stepping into this light filled space from the entry you are struck by the scale of this dramatic over-sized island, presenting the kitchen to all that gather here.

The front of house kitchen is the centrepiece and the transition zone through to all other spaces. 

The kitchen is incredible entertaining space with multiple seating zones and storage, progressing through to a contemporary take on the butler’s pantry. 

The butler's pantry forms an extension to the kitchen, rather than a space to be hidden behind closed doors.

The island includes subtle curves in the stone benchtop which along with the fluted panels help soften the linear, hard, raw external architecture.

 The subtle under bench LED lighting highlights the bronze metal strips connecting the fluted panels, providing depth and movement.

Materials, both robust and functional, have also been chosen for their versatility – Neolith sintered stone, Oak timbers and metal highlights.

The Neolith – Calacatta Gold – features across multiple surfaces including the island countertop, full casement of cooking zone, oven casements and full height splashbacks in the adjoining butlers pantry area.

This sustainable, versatile product has infinite uses as it is heat, stain and scratch resistant, waterproof, easy to clean, and hygienic for food preparation surfaces.

With a thin 12mm profile, the Neolith product allowed us to refine our design details and the elegant profile lines in a way that would not be achievable with a natural stone.

To complement the functionality of this stone we used oak products from Farmers Doors across the kitchen joinery, island fluting detail and into the cabinetry in both the butlers area and adjoining laundry.

The two products are Farmers Doors Slimline Oak profile – Japan Satin – and Farmers Doors Oak Slab profile in our own custom Oxford Blue.

The latter slab slab product is an elegant detail in the fluted panels encasing the statement island with its co-ordinating bronze metal inserts, creating a subtle softened curve and texture, and concealing the ample storage within the island.

Our preference for Farmers Doors products has allowed the customisation of the colour (Oxford blue) and versatility in product with both the slab product and the slimline profile. Farmers Doors products also reflect commitment to sustainability and renewable forestry.

The Slimline Oak profile in a light Japanese stain adds warmth and highlights the veining in the contrasting surfaces including the curved rangehood with its metallic trim.

The veneer is a subtle detail on the underside of the shelving, and importantly highlights the design restraint in this kitchen.

Connecting the front of house kitchen and flowing into the open butlers pantry is the Oxford Blue, again lining both sides of the space on the joinery and integrated appliances.

The appliances are functional, and also beautiful – designed for entertaining. The Smeg Dolce Stil Novo collection features minimalist styling in the black eclipse glass and refined copper detailing, setting a standard for form and functionality.

The adjoining butlers preparation area features Smeg Dolce collection coffee machine and ovens, along with multi-function pull-out drawers and shelves for set-down.

A Zip hydro tap ensures boiling, chilled filtered or sparkling water on call. A juice bar in a separate zone allows multiple people to occupy this space simultaneously in the busy mornings.

Much like jewellery adorns you, we have used the metallic highlights as an adornment to finish the kitchen.

The halo trimmings around the rangehood and the island benchtop and the highlights between the slab oak panels, the edging on the shelving, the custom pendant light and drawer pulls have all been electro-plated in Glowing Bronze to ensure consistency.

The conscious decision to use fewer materials and how those materials are detailed sets off this layered design.

The natural textures and colouring in the stone and timber exude a calming and connected atmosphere intersecting with and playing off the linear, raw concrete architecture.

Scale, form, grandeur and bespoke materials come together within this project

Designed by: Concepts by Gavin Hepper

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Louise Wellington