Points of view

Designing a new kitchen presents the opportunity to create a cooking space with a distinctive ambience. However, nothing stands alone and it's important to think carefully about how the kitchen will look from outdoors, from adjoining living areas and from within the space itself.

This kitchen, comprised of pared-back, geometric forms, looks good from a variety of angles, says designer Robert Bayly.

"Essentially, the kitchen is on general display, being visible from the living and dining areas, and from the beach outside," says Bayly. "As a result, the design has a definite furniture-like quality. To further disguise the functionality of the space, we used an inverted U shape, seen on the rear perimeter cabinetry housing the refrigerator, on the central island and on the element holding the coffee maker."

The upended U shape is echoed by other pieces in the space, but finished in different tones for visual variety.

Besides the kitchen's abstract look, as seen from the living spaces, elements such as the glass-fronted upper cabinetry also relate to the proportions of the home's exterior window frames.

"With so many people passing by and glancing into the home, it made sense to consider the impression from outside," says Bayly. "But we designed some elements to be appreciated from within the kitchen too, such as the oversized butler's sink and a purified water dispenser both items are unusual and playful."

Story by: Charles Moxham