It started with the benchtop

Designed by Shelley Cattle, Fowler Homes Waikato and Kitchen FX

From the designer:

It started with the benchtop.  

I always end up with a white benchtop and this time I decided to go grey.  

After investigating different grey benchtop products, I fell in love with CDK Stone’s Limestone Ankara Storm.

That decided, I discovered that the stone's lengths are varying and they couldn’t guarantee one arriving in time that was long enough for the island.  

Based on this, I decided to split this island into  a block/slab of the Ankara storm with the softness of the oak table insert attached to it.  

It is a big area, with plenty of drawers and cupboards, so I was not worried about the integrity of the kitchen by losing a set of drawers on the island.

I always like white cabinetry where many hands touch, so I made drawers on the back bench and the island white.  

Then it was a matter of choosing a complementary colour to the benchtop – hence the rest of the kitchen Carbon timberland, I love the texture of this product.

Emma at Kitchen FX did a wonderful job of designing the rest, I trust her to put drawers, cupboards and dishwashers where they need to be.  

I do like clean surfaces so added internal drawers to minimise drawer lines.

It was important to not see open cupboards in the scullery as there is no door between these open-pan spaces.

I made these cupboards vertical to match the overhead cupboards on the back wall of kitchen.  

I kept these colours the same to achieve a cohesive look.

This is a big, beautiful kitchen – the stone is the centrepiece, complementing the engineered wooden floors and the feature attached table.

The kitchen is the hub of this home connecting to the outdoor area with the Escea Cooking Kitchen, the scullery, dining and living areas.

Designed by: Shelley Cattle, Fowler Homes Waikato and Kitchen FX

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Ari Stokes