Exotic front

Sometimes a single, deft design stroke can address several aspects of a remodelling brief at once. Even hitting on the right cabinetry or floor surface, for example, might fulfil requirements ranging from interior continuity to that much-prized client commodity a sense of space.

The owners of this substantially renovated kitchen originally had a cramped, angular workspace that didn't link well to the adjacent outdoor living area. The original kitchen was also dark, lacked storage space and did not reflect the Asian influence found elsewhere in the home.

Interior designer Nicki Snelling responded to these issues in several ways, with the introduction of bamboo floors and commodious bamboo-fronted cabinetry as an effective masterstroke.

"Originally, the floors had changed from stone, to dark wood in the kitchen and through to stone again in the next room. Now blond bamboo flooring continues right through these areas, bringing uniformity, lightness and a feeling of space," Snelling says. "Horizontal solid bamboo cabinetry extends this stretched look for the modest-sized kitchen and reintroduces an Asian influence."

Cabinet maker John Erren says the cabinetry was designed for a distinctive look.

"We wanted as sleek a design as possible, and the height was kept to the minimum required to accommodate the appliances," he says. "The sense of space is accentuated by double-height mirror toekicks, creating the effect that the pale wood cabinetry is floating above the floor."

Pale tones recede visually and this logic was applied to the greater area as well as the kitchen, says Snelling. The rear outside wall is the same hue as the kitchen walls, adding depth and continuity.

"We also painted the pergola in the same colour and added a clear perspex canopy as a result, light levels have changed from dusk into daylight."

Story by: Trendsideas