Hip to be square

Designed by Davinia Sutton, Detail By Davinia Sutton

From the designer:

The homeowners desired a kitchen that would be somewhere their family and friends would want to linger.

The design needed to respect their architecturally designed home – a functional, uncluttered kitchen which stayed true to the boldness of the striking modern architecture and cityscape views beyond.

The kitchen is located to the side of an open plan living space and incorporates a dining zone.

Taking advantage of this spatial placement, the kitchen design is set out in an L shape format.

A long bench encompasses the length of the back-wall area and houses the wash, cooking and prep zones.

Practical storage is hidden below benchtop level, minimising clutter and maintaining clean, simple lines, a look enhanced by the use of integrated appliances. 

On the adjacent wall, tall elements are grouped together to retain a modern aesthetic.

These house refrigeration, wall ovens and an essential working pantry requirement.

The pantry is hidden behind bi-folding doors, enhancing the access to the on-bench storage space.

A cube shaped island bench in the foreground houses an extra prep surface with site lines to the cityscape views.

The island, detailed like a piece of furniture, links the kitchen zone to the living with the use of a dining element.

Intercepting the prep bench, the solid table provides an interesting contrast in form and anchors the dining element within the space.

A restricted palette of American white oak timber paired with the matt white lacquer joinery fronts provides a sense of warmth to the main kitchen design.

Matt dark porcelain was selected to be a practical worktop and splashback surface.

Attention to detail can be seen in the aged liquid metal finish applied to the island fronts. This moody finish plays on the juxtaposition of form in the island elements.

The result is a design that incorporates the use of colour, light and texture to enhance the space and modern form – essentially, the kitchen uses strong structural forms to complement the modern architectural context in this family home.

Designed by: Sutton working

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Stephen Goodenough