Part of a Craftsman-style makeover, this kitchen combines a wealth of natural materials with more contemporary accents

It's a puzzle interior designers often have to solve how to continue a traditional theme into the kitchen while achieving the functionality and presence required by a busy modern chef. The answer is likely to lie in the details.

This kitchen by designer Nadia Subaran is part of a house remodel by architect Jim Rill. The project has transformed an unexceptional brick house into a roomy Craftsman-style cottage. There is also a new family room and kitchen in an extension at the rear, says Subaran.

"In keeping with the American Arts and Crafts feel, the walls and ceilings now have mouldings and panels a level of detailing that reflects the style's handcrafted aesthetic," says Subaran. "But because one owner is passionate about cooking the kitchen needed to have all the contemporary bells and whistles."

To connect with adjacent rooms, the kitchen is lightly detailed, with an abundance of natural surfaces, continuing the layered, hand-worked appeal. There are three benchtop materials, two splashback treatments, and more than one cabinet finish, for example.

"The perimeter benchtop is in Taj Mahal quartzite, a hard-wearing surface with the look of marble. The butcher's block is in walnut and the island benchtop in a Silver Waves marble.

"Cabinetry on the island is also walnut, a wood the owners love, but this was too dark for the perimeter cabinets, which are in a pale oyster. This colour complements the darker wall tones in other rooms also typical of the style but at the same time is near to the white shade you might expect in a professional kitchen."

The space has other contemporary accents as well. For example, the island benchtop is separated from the dark wooden cabinetry by a stainless steel band. Stainless steel can also be seen on cabinets under the cooktop and on the penny-round tile backsplash. These elements, together with the ventilation hood, create a feature tower of stainless steel. The designer says the reflective surfaces bounce light through the room, which does not have its own windows.

The kitchen is equally well set up in terms of functionality. Disparate counter levels address the different heights of the owners, and every cooking convenience is close at hand.

The butler's pantry provides a buffer from the dining room, and features glass display cabinets and iridescent mosaic tiles.

Story by: Charles Moxham