Contemporary kitchen renovation with Antique Brown granite and banquette seating

The importance of the kitchen and the role it plays in family life can never be underestimated.

In this home, the original kitchen was placed on the south side of the house, and blocked off from a family room that opened to a sunny deck on the north. Not surprisingly, opening up the entire space was a priority for designer Kira Gray, who redesigned the kitchen, which was manufactured by Fyfe Kitchens.

"Because the family room did not relate to the kitchen, it was essentially a dead space in the middle of the house," Gray says. "By removing a few walls, including a wall separating the central stairwell, we were able to open up the house from front to back and top to bottom. We also extended the glass balustrade to the stairs. These changes immediately opened up the space, the light poured in and a sense of flow was created."

The designer says the working kitchen was given top priority, and positioned near the doors opening to the outdoors.

"The owners wanted a kitchen that would be a real conversation piece it needed to have plenty of dramatic impact. To help achieve this, the working part of the kitchen is framed in timber. This wraps right around the cooking centre and forms a pelmet for the lighting."

The designer used a similar framing device for the island. Polished Antique Brown granite from Stone Warehouse forms the benchtop and waterfall sides. The perimeter cabinetry also features Antique Brown granite benchtops, while the cabinets are lacquered in white.

"We chose polished Antique Brown granite to make a dramatic centrepiece," says Gray. "The granite is studded with crystals that sparkle under the light and flash with pops of blue, gold and bronze."

Acrylic bar stools contrast the dark granite and help to open up the circulation area beside the stairwell."

To visually separate the oven tower and a narrow pantry, the designer specified brushed stainless steel doors. The integrated refrigerator, second sink and a larger pantry with its own bench are positioned further along, closer to a new booth seating area with a television.

The cabinets wrap around the wall, with a Cameo White Corian benchtop and tabletop helping to keep this end of the room light and bright.

"We provided additional storage for audiovisual equipment in timber drawers beneath the seating. The cushions in this area feature the same denim blue as the backpainted glass splashback."

The kitchen also features extensive LED lighting and downlights.

For details, contact designer Kira Gray, phone 027 271 4705; Fyfe Kitchens head office, phone (09) 274 7055; or visit the showroom, 225 Great South Rd, Greenlane, Auckland, phone (09) 520 4752. Website: www.fyfekitchens.co.nz

Or to contact Stone Warehouse, 11 Cowley Pl, Albany Auckland, phone (09) 415 0715. Website: www.stone.co.nz

Story by: Trendsideas