Open, contemporary kitchen with stainless steel benchtops and contrasting cabinetry.

Today's kitchens are almost always on show to adjacent living areas. Part of the designer's role is to consider harmony not only within the work space but also with its surroundings.

This minimalist kitchen by designer Milvia Hannah of German Kitchens connects with the nearby living spaces, and the outdoors. Hannah says the owners requested a streamlined look, stainless steel benchtops, and plenty of storage as well as indoor-outdoor flow.

"I took several approaches to assimilate the kitchen into its environment and play down its function. First, we set tall white gloss cabinetry under the bulkhead at the end of the kitchen to blend effortlessly, without being on show to the adjacent dining and living areas. This contains storage, integrated refrigeration, two pantries and a corner storage unit. Cabinetry in the same finish runs above the windows, accommodating further storage and an integrated rangehood. "

The white cabinet surfaces merge with the bulkhead and walls in the same colour, all but disappearing visually. The upper units include illuminated glass bases that light up the cabinet interiors, and also shine downwards providing discreet task lighting.

"For contrast, the base cabinets are textured dark oak veneer," says Hannah. "These connect with the exterior cladding and interior wood furniture."

Stainless steel benchtops are another feature of the space. Together with toekicks in the same alloy they provide wide linear bands that visually frame the lower cabinetry. The horizontal emphasis is further accentuated by the choice of long, sleek stainless steel cabinet handles.

"We ran the benchtops flush into each window, bringing the outside in," says Hannah. "The cantilevered end of the sink bench offers casual seating and ensures easy access via bifold doors to the deck. Given the length and width of the benchtop, internal steel bracing was required to achieve the cantilever. The homeowners had asked for this prominent element to float, without the visual clutter of a support.

"The kitchen achieves a minimalist aesthetic that belies its function in other ways, too. The minimalist hob and double sinks merge discreetly into the benchtop and are positioned away from the public eye."

A polished concrete floor runs throughout the house, visually grounding the kitchen and offering another connection between spaces.

"With windows on three sides, the finished kitchen is light, open and a pleasure to use," says the designer.

This kitchen was highly commended in the Trends International Design Awards.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Paul McCredie