Command centre

No matter how large the house, younger children generally prefer to play or do their homework close to their parents. Often the kitchen is the most convenient place for this, and, when there's plenty of space, the room becomes a gathering point for the whole family.

The owners of this new home wanted the kitchen to be light and airy. It also had to include an area where the three children could sit comfortably while their mother was working in the kitchen.

The home, designed by architect Tom Catalano, is traditional in style, but has a contemporary feel. The kitchen, with classic beaded, panelled and painted cabinetry, is part of a spacious family room. Arched windows in both areas frame views across the lawn and beyond.

"The kitchen is large and includes a central island with areas where meals can be prepared. This is rounded off at one end to provide separate seating. In addition, a dining table is adjacent to the island. It can be used for family meals and for larger homework projects," says the architect.

Because the style of the kitchen is traditional, it is symmetrical in its layout. Large sinks in the benchtop under the window are centralised and flanked by two dishwashers, drawers below the benchtop and matching cupboards above. The heating and air conditioning grilles are paired and integrated with the soffit on either side of the arched window. Cabinetry on both sides of the range and hood is also symmetrical. The rounded seating area on the end of the island provides a break from the pattern.

To avoid clutter, storage was important to the owners. Capacious pantry storage is provided in floor-to-ceiling cupboards that line the 3.65m-long side wall of the kitchen. A desk area includes mail slots for each member of the family.

"To maximise storage and waste as little space as possible, we have even included crockery cupboards inside the plaster column that marks the line between the kitchen and dining areas," says Catalano.

The kitchen is central to the house, making it a pivotal space in the overall design, says Catalano.

With several work zones, a full-size, integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator, two underbench refrigerators and a separate butler's pantry with a wine cooler, the whole area works equally well for entertaining and for a family lifestyle.

Story by: Trendsideas