Control centre Open plan kitchen living by Embark Design

In the early years of the 20th century, as more and more people began to run their households without the help of servants, architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright responded by designing houses with progressively more open plans, which developed into the open-plan style of living that many of us prefer today.

Open-plan living offers many benefits, but it does require a concerted design focus so that architecture and interior design work together for a successful result. This is why design firm Embark Design collaborated with residential developer Wyndel Property Group to provide a seamless open environment for this house.

"Although the entry to the home is located on the floor above, a staircase leads directly from the front area to the living area," says Michael Kilkeary of Embark Design. "It is the kitchen, which anchors the living spaces, and therefore needed to include a bold statement."

That statement is the marble-topped island. With entertaining a central focus of the design, the island allows ample space for serving.

"It was conceived as a cocktail bar-style element, with a generous open space in front, which acts as a gathering-circulation area.

"Clean lines and sweeping planes lead the eye through the room and out towards the landscape beyond, helping to lessen the impact of such a large kitchen on the overall space."

Integrated appliances also maintain the clean-lined aesthetic, while the darker cabinetry along the rear wall flanks the window, framing the rafus palms, which bring added movement and vitality to the kitchen.

"Rather than a full wall of joinery, which would only have accentuated the size of the kitchen, the window and cabinetry elements act as vignettes within the whole. Daylight coming in through the window creates an ever-changing play of light and shadow an added dimension to the design," says Kilkeary.

Story by: Justin Foote