Long, slender white kitchen with textural pattern on cabinetry and quiet color palette

Material connections in a kitchen can speak softly or state their presence boldly and when it comes to tactile surfaces, a simple change in viewing angle can affect the conversation.

This kitchen, by designer Natalie Du Bois, responds to the owners' brief for a white work space with a taupe countertop. These elements set the scene for an understated color palette that doesn't overwhelm the home's generally subtle decor, says Du Bois.

"There are plenty of tonal connections here. The granite frame on the privacy panel links with the dark-stained Vitex wood flooring and the tan backpainted glass is repeated on the backsplash. The multi-hued marble front on the island was chosen to pick up on these colors, too, and the taupe work surface on the island provides a mid-tone between the other surfaces. Nevertheless, the predominating color is white and this merges with the adjacent white walls.

"One of the strongest linking elements is texture, not color. The marble island front is in a raised, variegated tile that looks different from different angles and is pleasing to the eye. And this surface finds an echo in the textural, grooved cabinet wall to the rear."

The owners had seen a sunburst pattern in a story in an Australian edition of Kitchen Trends and asked Du Bois to re-create it for them here.

Other wow factors in the design include a tall bookcase with a ladder and a glass panel in the floor that offers a glimpse of the wine cellar on the level below.

A high-tech feature of the design goes undetected that is, until someone opens the cabinetry. While the 16ft-long island contains two extra-wide dishwashers, most of the kitchen's functionality is tucked behind electronically operated cabinet doors.

A light touch of a button opens a pantry with pull-out storage to the left of the refrigerator. Using a similar smooth-gliding operation, the horizontal bands above the cooking niche concertina up to reveal spacious cabinet interiors. With another touch, they close back down the same way.

This kitchen extends beyond the footprint of the original. The patterned rear wall and bookcase both lead the eye upwards, drawing attention to the 12ft-high ceiling. At the same time, the long, narrow design doesn't impinge on the adjacent living spaces.

Story by: Charles Moxham