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Clean lines and a restrained palette give this kitchen a refined presence

Every design starts somewhere. For this through kitchen by designer Nicola Manning, an existing feature – black leadlight window frames – resurfaces in the new design

The new kitchen is now a streamlined galley

To counteract the visual effect of the split

The designer removed the sink bench under the

A striking linear matt black pendant with smokey

Wood-look floors provide a natural balance to the

The pantry is hidden behind pocket doors and

Clean lines and a restrained palette give this

Steel mesh fronts feature on some of the

Designed by Nicola Manning Design

From the designer:

One of the main architectural features of this 1920’s built house is the lead light windows.

The owner’s brief was to improve the functionality and flow of the kitchen and to provide strong visual interest.

The existing kitchen had an east-facing window above the sink bench which introduces lovely morning sun and light into the room.

The kitchen flows directly into the family room and connects with a formal dining room through double doors.

I removed the sink bench under the window and added French doors and a small deck to capture the morning sun, let more light in and to provide a greater sense of space.

Nicola Manning, designer

At the other end of the room, a single standard entry door was removed and replaced by large double cavity slider doors.

These new doors open up the kitchen space even more further, including to the entrance area, letting in additional afternoon light.

The layout is now a streamlined galley design with a longer kitchen island containing the sink.

One of the design challenges in this space was the split height ceiling – the result of a 1980s addition of the family room and larger kitchen.

To counteract the visual effect of the split height, I designed the layout so that the tall cabinetry section is contained in the higher ceiling section with the cooktop bench section in the lower part.

Push to open, high storage cupboards are designed to mimic the look of a bulkhead while providing additional storage.

Painting these cupboards in the ceiling colour has enhanced this effect.

Inspired by the leadlight windows, I added blackened steel as a key design element.

Nicola Manning, designer

We used 30mm blackened steel trim to frame the high section, and the negative details under the benchtops.

Plus, the overhead cupboard section has fluted, smoky glass inserts with blackened steel frames.

Furthering the look, the fluted design element has been repeated on the back of the island panels.

I used Dekton Opera for the benchtops and splashback.

The soft lines and colour of this benchtop material contrasts the strong vertical design elements of the framed steel and the vertical fluted glass and island panels.

This design has been enhanced by the addition of brushed matt black handles for the drawers and strong matt black Fisher and Paykel handles for the integrated fridge and pantry.

A pantry is hidden behind pocket doors and contains a benchtop, perforated steel baskets, internal drawers and shelving.

A striking linear matt black pendant with smokey glass globes takes centre stage, complemented by downlights for task lighting and LED strip lighting under the seating overhang, overhead cupboards and inside the pantry.

This design has created a more spacious, light filled kitchen that fits seamlessly into this home.

Credit list

Architect/designer

Nicola Manning Design

Cabinetry hardware

Blum Legra Box; Blum Aventos HK; Blum Servo Drive Uno

Flooring

Ultra Tussock Oak by Forté Designer Timber Flooring

Kitchen sink

Blanco Silgranit Subline, Rock Grey

Oven, cooktop

Miele

Refrigeration, dishwasher

Fisher & Paykel

Cabinetry

Under bench – lacquered Dulux Flooded Gum; ceiling-height overheads – lacquered Resene Alabaster; overhead cabinets –blackened steel framed glass with fluted smokey glass; kitchen island – scalloped lacquered, colour Resene Foundry