Culinary highlights

A minimalist kitchen can present a modern, often demure air to surrounding spaces. One way to bring the pared-back design to life is to keep the decor neutral and introduce large splashes of colour. The use of reflective surfaces can also contribute a vibrant effect without detracting from a simple, linear make-up.

This kitchen by designer Sue Gillbanks is a response to the client's request for a modern, light-filled cooking area within an open-plan interior.

"The kitchen features several shiny materials, including glass, aluminium, manufactured stone and stainless steel," says Gillbanks. "The use of reflective surfaces, particularly the stainless steel benchtops, had to be carefully considered, however, to ensure that reflections wouldn't be overpowering, given the proximity of the windows and skylights, which all attract the morning sun."

The metal of the benchtops is echoed in a large stainless steel-faced refrigerator, complete with built-in stainless steel framework, and aluminium cabinetry handles and toe-kicks. Aluminium trim also frames the back-painted glass cabinetry doors above the splashback, and the cabinetry doors on the peninsula that fronts the kitchen.

"A deep green back-painted glass is used on these doors and was chosen as a complementary tone to the vibrant red splashback," says Gillbanks. "The adjacent living area has a large red leather lounge suite, and the red of the splashback is intended to pick up on this, drawing the two areas together visually."

Stools tucked under the cantilevered peninsula and decorative vases dotted around the kitchen extend the use of this accent colour.

"While most surfaces are smooth to the touch, the kitchen's durable flooring is an exception," says the designer. "The floor has a raised textural finish that adds a subtle visual interest and also provides an anti-slip surface for the high-traffic kitchen. Its grey tone complements the extensive use of metal."

The Quarella engineered-stone benchtop on the peninsula also has the appearance of a textured surface. Tiny, colourful elements embedded in the stone tone in with both the red and green back-painted glass surfaces, bringing added cohesion to the overall design.

"In practical terms, the work surfaces are spread out to enable several tasks to be performed in the kitchen at the same time," Gillbanks says. "Ample storage, another client request, was also included."

Story by: Trendsideas