Chocolate eclair

Kitchen design is often determined by the overall style of a house, and the materials used. For this home, the reverse applied it was a kitchen surface that inspired the aesthetics of the rest of the house.

Designer Mick De Giulio, who has worked with the owners on previous projects, says the selection of the light-toned Bianco Romano granite was the driving force for the interior design.

"The owners wanted a very contemporary look, with the kitchen forming part of a larger, open living area," De Giulio says. "They also wanted a sense of drama. Using the granite polished for the countertops and honed for the flooring throughout the living area provides continuity. It's also a light-colored backdrop for the dark oak cabinets, which helps make a dramatic visual statement."

To provide further visual interest and to retain the contemporary feel, De Giulio added sanded-glass cabinet doors with aluminum trim, and stainless steel cabinets below the cooktop. These cabinets visually break the expanse of dark oak that encircles the lower half of the kitchen.

The stainless steel cabinets below the double cooktops give the appearance of a range an effect enhanced by the custom hood and the mosaic tile backsplash.

"The treatment of this corner was a way to accommodate the curve in the room," says De Giulio. "The curve of the wall cabinets, which is mimicked by the shape of the island, alleviates the rectilinear shape of the kitchen. It also eases the traffic flow around this end of the island."

De Giulio says the mosaic tiles were applied individually to the curved wall, to ensure the grouting was even.

In keeping with the need for a kitchen suitable for entertaining, there is ample room for more than one person to work at the same time. The designer says providing an additional sink on the island means there are effectively two work triangles. The island also contains two refrigerator drawers and a stand-alone ice-maker.

Functionality determined the height of the overhead cabinets the owners wanted space for an ice-cream maker within an appliance garage. The custom hood is also high enough to accommodate a three-tiered lobster steamer.

In addition, there is a storage area to one side of the kitchen, separated by a tall cabinet that opens on two sides. This provides a place to temporarily drop items, such as keys and mail.

The kitchen retains strong visual links with the living area and it's not just the flooring continuity that helps the connection. De Giulio designed a dark oak entertainment unit that matches the kitchen cabinetry. A console behind a sofa, and the dining table were also custom designed to complement the contemporary lines of the kitchen.

A bank of south-facing windows and a variety of lighting fixtures, including neon strips at the edge of the stepped ceiling, ensure the entire area is well lit.

Story by: Trendsideas