Classic connections

Eclectic elements can each serve a purpose within a kitchen design allowing breathing space between individual pieces can, ironically, help draw them all together.

This light-toned, galley kitchen, by designer Sandra Grummitt, showcases a traditional-look oven, and combines old-world upper cabinetry with two-pack lower cabinetry.

"The new oven was an important focus for the client, so while the walls and shape of the original space remain, I moved the refrigerator and freezer to give the appliance centre stage at the heart of the kitchen," says Grummitt. "This allowed me to introduce a chimneypiece over the hob, giving it a sense of being original to the residence."

An existing corner cabinet, in wood, was retained by Grummitt, who added another piece in a similar style further along the wall. These wooden upper cabinets, the original timber floors and a wooden benchtop on the opposite side of the kitchen are all in keeping with the Victorian-era home's red-brick character and extend the wood-panel aesthetic seen through the servery hatch in the dining room.

In quiet contrast, Corian worksurfaces and two-pack cabinetry introduce a lighter note that helps counteract the room's south-facing aspect, making the area feel larger.

"The upper and lower cabinetry are quite different, but giving the elements breathing space makes the kitchen look as if it has been built up over time," says Grummitt. "The same applies to the benchtops."

Contemporary spot lights and classic feature lights further the kitchen's balanced aesthetic.

Story by: Charles Moxham