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Traditional kitchen styles are an obvious choice for old homes. But period styles can work equally well in contemporary homes especially when the kitchens are bright, airy spaces that complement today's open-plan interiors.

Designer Brian Patterson is seeing a move towards a lighter look for traditional kitchens, with a pared-back palette of materials and colours and simple, clean detailing. The owners of this new home in North Rocks had this sort of look in mind one that would draw on period French styles and still complement the understated feel of their open-plan kitchen, dining and family room.

To create a traditional kitchen with immediate impact, Patterson envisaged a symmetrical design centred on the large cooker and rangehood.

"I wanted the eye to be drawn to the cooker, before taking in the cabinetry on either side. The symmetry of this creates a kitchen that people can make sense of at first glance, with nothing looking disjointed or out of place. I was also keen to create a kitchen with a welcoming and homely feel, that people would instantly feel relaxed in."

Features selected for the period look include full-height cream-painted cabinetry and glass-fronted display cabinets. An open plate rack was placed at 45º to make the crockery clearly visible and easy to reach. The kitchen island has flutes, corbels and a stone top to accentuate the French country feel.

The kitchen needed to be practical as well as visually pleasing. Several large drawers were included for pots, pans and everyday crockery, along with an under-bench appliance cabinet.

The designer also included a breakfast bar for regular family use. Two refrigerators were placed on the stair wall, next to the walk-in pantry and within easy reach of the cook.

Nouvelle Designer Kitchens has won several HIA national and state awards in recent years, for its creative design, use of colour and selection of materials. The kitchen shown here was a finalist in the HIA Traditional Kitchen on the Year award for 2006.

The company provides a full kitchen and bathroom design, custom-build, installation and renovation service.

For more information, contact Nouvelle Designer Kitchens, Pennant Hills: 372 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills, NSW 2120, phone (02) 9484 8299; Willoughby: 152 Mowbray Rd, Willoughby, NSW 2068, phone (02) 9967 5622. Email: sales@nouvelledesign.com.au or visit the website: www.nouvelledesign.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas