Character study

Renovating a very grand traditional villa is just as much about preserving features that give the house its character, as it is about introducing modern conveniences.

Kitchen designer Nicola Cumming of Nicola Cumming Design was given the task of ensuring this project would be a happy marriage of old and new. Cumming says the original house has many decorative features that set it apart, including handcrafted corbels and mouldings, and 3.5m-high pressed metal ceilings.

"The new kitchen needed to reflect the era of the house, which was built early last century, and it needed to work visually with the client's collection of Pacific and Asian artefacts," she says. "The owners wanted an ornate, handcrafted look with separate furniture pieces, rather than a fitted kitchen. But at the same time, the kitchen needed to be comfortable, inviting and practical, rather than predictable."

Cumming says the kitchen was swapped to the family room area in a lean-to. This was extended and heightened to create a much larger kitchen and family living space that opens to a timber deck.

"Punching through the floor of the original kitchen, we were able to build three new rooms on the lower level a laundry, television room and wine cellar. The extra space makes the new kitchen much more serviceable. Another design priority was a cook's kitchen the owner likes to make everything from scratch."

As a result, the kitchen, supplied and co-ordinated by Nicola Cumming Design, is high on detail and functionality, with everyday items stored close at hand. White lacquered perimeter cabinets have full-height fluted pilasters and decorative corbels and mouldings sourced from overseas. The cabinets and the oven splashback also feature decorative glass inserts from Inc Glass.

"I first saw similar printed glass in Milan," says Cumming. "This glass is embossed with an aged pewter metallic pattern on coloured glass to complement the ornate elements in the rest of the house, mixing an old look with a new application. It also works with the intricately carved pewter door and drawer handles."

An American oak island with a matching top from Kings Fourth Generation Woodworking Company provides a solid furniture element. The island has turned legs and panelled sides, and emulates a kitchen table. For further contrast, the worktop is square edged to contrast the Roman ogee profile of the Avonite benchtops from Topline Benches.

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Jamie Cobeldick