Elongated white kitchen provides maximum functionality without obstructing spectacular scenery

Part of a generous, four-level mountain home that fully engages with its pristine setting, the brief for the third-level kitchen was that it, too, connect with the scenery – without actually getting in the way of it.

The clean-lined kitchen is by architect Gary Todd, who also designed the home.

“There are three kitchens here really – the main kitchen, the adjacent outdoor kitchen and a rooftop dining space with its own fridge, sink and teppanyaki plate.”

Because the house faces due south, the architect created several axial – or front to back – views that extend right through the interior, to maximise solar penetration.

The living, dining and kitchen space is one such axial space. Hence the idea to run the kitchen along one side of the volume, keeping everything open and light-filled and not interrupting the visual flow.

In fact, triple stacker doors slide back at both ends of the space – connecting to the front deck one way and the outdoor kitchen and dining area the other. Having the home’s hardwood floors flush with the wooden decks enhances the connection.

Continuity is further assured when the long porcelain tile indoor benchtop is echoed beyond the glass at the rear as another – alfresco – bench space, serving the outdoor kitchen. The choice of tile for the benches connects to the rocky setting. And, similarly, the white lacquer cabinetry finds its own tonal connections in winter when snow covers much of the land.

“The cabinetry also balances a wall of mainly white joinery on the other side of the entertainment space,” says Todd. 

While the linear, minimalist kitchen is understated to avoid detracting from the views, it offers a wealth of functionality with integrated Miele appliances at the ready. 

Plus, in a home full of surprises – think indoor waterfall and glass floored study – the kitchen has one of its own. The black splashback fronts an inset television.

Of course, the outdoor kitchen is also well appointed and includes its own pizza oven – as the owners are Italian. This area really does have one foot out in the natural world, while operable louvres and a log fire make it suited to year-round use, despite the variable mountain weather.

Another feature of the wider space is a glass-fronted wine cellar which is on show to both the indoor and outdoor kitchen.

With generous-sized indoor and outdoor dining tables and a long row of bench seating at the island, this home really is set up to entertain few or a great many.

And the home’s dining diversity is completed with the rooftop tappenyaki kitchen. 

Here, family and guests can take in 360˚ views of mountains, lake and sky.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Simon Darby and Di Henshall