Finishing touches

One of the challenges of an open-plan layout is ensuring the spaces always look their best. This is especially true of the kitchen, where daily use will result in cluttered surfaces.

One solution is to create a scullery or butler's pantry where food preparation areas and storage can be housed out of sight, leaving the main kitchen to act more as an entertaining kitchen, says designer Joanne Godding, director of Bespoke on Khyber.

"While functionality is still an important factor, from a design sense the main kitchen in such a configuration is much more a part of the open-plan space.

"The clients Jan and Peter Jeffery wanted to create a visually seamless space; no obvious appliances and a design that minimised the noticeable elements of the kitchen."

The large mirrored splashback helps achieve this by reflecting the active water views, setting up a dynamic movement throughout the space.

"Having the view accessible from both ends of the room has given the space a vibrancy," says Jan Jeffery. "I wanted the kitchen to be different, not outlandish, but not minimalist either modern, but with its own identity."

Part of that identity is the treatment Godding gave the upper cabinets.

"We didn't want to create any negative detail effect at the upper cabinetry level, so I designed these to be glass fronted. A patinaed pewter wall covering was placed behind these to reference the colours found in the floor tiles."

Glass handles ensure the look appears even more seamless. A similar treatment was given to the integrated refrigerator and was also used in the butler's pantry, linking the two spaces.

"The success of this project can be found in its balance," says Godding. "The material palette and colour scheme work across the board, and the two kitchen spaces work equally well in concert or separately."

Story by: Justin Foote