Open house

Large windows in your kitchen can be agreat asset natural daylight is a plus for any cook. But it can mean that room for storage and appliances is limited.

Such was the case with this kitchen. One large window, a skylight and a large opening to an adjacent room meant there was plenty of light, says designer James Ke.

"But there were not many walls in the room, which reduced my options for storage space. I solved the problem by installing a peninsula, rather than a kitchen island, which would have needed a lot of space around it for good traffic flow. I then positioned the sink beneath the window, the fridge against the only large expanse of wall, and the rangehood in the corner. As there was no space for a pantry, I also included several stacked pot drawers."

The light levels allowed Ke to specify a darker wood-style cabinetry and a polished black granite for the benchtops a deliberate contrast to the white porcelain tiles and painted walls.

"The homeowners have a lot of wood grain in their house, and wanted a similar look for their kitchen," he says. "They also do a lot of entertaining, so the long breakfast bar allows them to accommodate three or four people at a time."

To create a classic look, Ke chose cabinetry with moulded doors. Door handles are curved, to reflect the cabinetry moulding and the rounded edges of the granite tops.

For details, contact Apollo Bathroom & Kitchen, Unit B, 5 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, phone (09) 478 8966, fax (09) 476 3300. Email: apollo.kb@gmail.com. Website: www.apollokb.com.

Story by: Trendsideas