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Black never goes out of fashion and it always makes a statement

View of an apartment kitchen which features solid floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, laminate flooring, living room, room, wood, wood flooring, white, black — View of an apartment kitchen which features solid marble benchtops, black lacquered cabinetry, appliances, timber flooring, pendant lighting and black bar stools.

View of an apartment kitchen which features solid interior design, lighting, living room, black

View of an apartment kitchen which features solid cabinetry, countertop, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, room, black

View of plans for this apartment kitchen. - angle, area, black and white, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, font, line, plan, product design, schematic, text, white

View of plans for this apartment kitchen. - angle, area, black and white, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, font, line, plan, product, product design, schematic, square, text, white

View of plans for this apartment kitchen. - area, design, diagram, drawing, floor plan, line, plan, product design, white

In the 1980s it was common for apartment buildings to feature a rabbit warren of small rooms, including separate kitchen, dining and living areas. This Sydney apartment was no exception. But its prime seaside location made it an ideal candidate for a complete remodel.

Interior designer Christine Hamilton says the entire interior was redesigned to better suit the needs of the owners, who like to entertain casually on a regular basis.

"We were able to remove several walls to open up the kitchen and living areas, creating one large space that's ideal for entertaining."

Hamilton says the owners wanted a refined contemporary interior that would not date.

"It was clear this apartment could take something quite dramatic, so I presented them with a white-on-white design and a black lacquered kitchen they were adventurous enough to choose the black. This is a colour that won't date, but will keep its looks for years to come."

Black lacquered cabinets are paired with black Nero Marquina solid marble benchtops Hamilton says the marble inspired the overall palette. At night the two surfaces reflect the light, creating a glittering jewel-like space, which the designer describes as a moody, New York loft-style look.

Sleek, square-edged stainless steel handles and a matching set of Miele appliances, including a steam oven and coffee machine, reinforce the kitchen's streamlined appearance. Directly beneath the coffee machine is a pull-out marble shelf for coffee making.

For visual continuity, Hamilton introduced black accents elsewhere in the apartment, including black panels on a door in the hallway.

"This was a way to keep the drama going right through the apartment," she says.