Smoked oak cabinetry is matched with a formal-look smoked oak tabletop in this well-connected kitchen

Effective connections are integral to a great kitchen design, but sometimes it is the kitchen itself that is the connector – such as here, where an in-between cooking/dining zone links two disparate spaces.

The kitchen forms part of a rebuild of a traditional terrace house, says Dean Welsh, design director of Thinkdzine.

“The back of the home was completely remodelled, in part to enable the kitchen to be the central connecting space between the formal living areas and rear courtyard.

“So, naturally, the kitchen had to work well with these two quite different spaces. And as part of this wider interior design story, we felt it was important to introduce more formal seating in the kitchen.”

On one hand, the island’s cantilevered table top has a relaxed feel, appropriate to the adjacent outdoor space. However, its elegant knotted oak veneer finish – a match with the cabinetry behind – together with the refined dining seating, lifts the table to be a match with the interior living spaces.

There were, of course, other needs apart from inter-room connections. The owners wanted the kitchen to have a minimalist aesthetic, but with warmth and texture.

“They also love to cook and entertain, so the kitchen had to be highly practical and evoke a luxury feel at the same time.”

In response, the imported Italian Cesar kitchen is laid out for easy cooking and entertaining, with plenty of benchtop and storage space and a tight cooking triangle.

Together with the knotty oak wood veneer, another material highlight is the white Dolomite stone seen on the island’s upper bench and the matching splashback.

“The combination of the dark-stained wood and the classic veined white stone creates the luxe aesthetic requested,” says the designer. “At the same time, the carved, rebated cabinet door handles help keep the look clean-lined and minimalist.”

Designed by: Dean Welsh, Thinkdzine

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Urban Photography