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
![A bronze cabinet door on the island stands house, interior design, living room, white, furniture, leather, kitchen, Biji Architects, cottage](https://res.cloudinary.com/trends-publishing/image/upload/dpr_1.0,g_center,w_1280/f_auto,q_auto:best/NZ3406Bijl%E2%80%93286981396-01-HERO.jpg)
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 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.”
![A bronze, white and black palette in this interior design, kitchen, living room, benchtop, CDK Stone, Biji Architects](https://res.cloudinary.com/trends-publishing/image/upload/dpr_1.0,g_center,w_1280/f_auto,q_auto:best/NZ3406Bijl%E2%80%93286981396-03.jpg)
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
Floors
Kitchen sink
Oven
Ventilation
Dishwasher
Cabinetry
Benchtops and splashbacks
Lighting
Taps
Cooktop
Refrigerator
Awards
Story by: Charles Moxham
Photography by: Katherine Lu
Home kitchen bathroom commercial design
Building on a fine pedigree
Character strengths
Slender meets stylish
Home Trends Vol. 35/1
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