Kitchen connects to its surroundings through material choices
Tall banks of cabinetry and appliances are demurely set back into the walls in this contemporary kitchen within a revamped cottage interior

With effective kitchen design, the immediate environment is almost always a key driver. This kitchen forms part of a major cottage renovation that dismantles its classic, claustrophobic feel – instead, opening up the residence horizontally and vertically for dynamism and visual richness.
Architects Melonie Bayl-Smith and Andrew Lee of Bijl Architecture undertook the kitchen as part of the wider space- and light-bringing refit.
“We wanted the kitchen to be open to the living area without imposing on it visually or dimensionally,” says Bayl-Smith.
“As a part of this, the perimeter cabinetry and appliances were nestled back into the rear and side walls in a seamless match of 2-pac polyurethane joinery and flat black and crisp white paint finishes.”

The understated cabinetry is matched with veined engineered stone benchtops and a drinks station splashback that add colour to the design. The two-tone walls and marble-look surfaces connect with the living room finishes. Plus, the island’s bronzed cupboard links with the cabinet handles and nearby balustrade and handrail.
“The pendant light creates minimal visual disruption to the space, while the introduced skylight brings natural light into the kitchen.”
Credit list
Architect
Cabinetry hardware
Floors
Kitchen sink
Oven
Ventilation
Dishwasher
Cabinetry
Benchtops and splashbacks
Lighting
Taps
Cooktop
Refrigerator
Awards
Story by: Australia TIDA Kitchens
Photography by: Katherine Lu
For more than 30 years, Trends has promoted great home design ideas through its print, digital and online media.The Trends International Design Awards – TIDAs – take that involvement to the next level with the search for the best kitchens, bathrooms and homes across a number of the countries where Trends has a presence.
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We talk a lot about kitchens today being at the heart of a home – a focal point where everyone can gather and be part of all the activity going on there. And that means most kitchens are open-plan. But when you open up your kitchen to adjacent areas, you need to consider how its style, materials and finishes work across those wider interiors.