Country with a city twist

To the uninitiated, using five types of materials and four tones of wood in one small area may seem like a decision for the brave-hearted. For designer Di Henshall it was the ideal way to achieve the kitchen her clients desired.

The small beach holiday apartment was otherwise fresh and warm throughout but the kitchen just didn't fit, she says.

"The trick was to marry the kitchen in to the rest of the apartment, and I took the best of those features, like the rich parquet flooring and warm yellow-toned walls, as a starting point for selecting colours."

With the clients' brief dictating fresh French provincial meets modern functionality, Henshall says it was important to choose materials that imparted both warmth and functionality.

"The lower cupboards are New Guinea rosewood and the upper are African ash - the lighter tone at head height gives a feeling of increased space. The quarter-cut wood panel separating the benchtop and eating area is drawn from the floor tones."

Frosted glass cupboard doors, ceramic tiling on the splashback wall and the stainless steel handles and appliances contribute to modern imagery.

A Smart Stone moulded kitchen benchtop was chosen in the ¡¡ tones she dared to use, a vital ingredient in creating the fresh, clean look of French provincial colours.

"Every application is different, but the basic element of a country kitchen is texture with a busy feel. This is a very modern take on the theme, but it exudes warmth and friendliness."