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Parties generally don't take place in the kitchen, but when it is well designed and fitted with good appliances, the whole event is likely to run more smoothly both on the night and the next day when it's time to clean up.

For the penthouse of Auckland's recently constructed Kensington Apartments, interior designer Anna Desbonnets created a kitchen that looks good in the open-plan living area of the apartment, and functions well when the owners are entertaining.

To complement the modern design of the kitchen, she selected appliances from Smeg.

"The interior of the apartment is clean-lined and elegant, and I decided that a classic style would add an interesting twist to the appearance of the kitchen. The Smeg appliance collection offered this quality," says the designer.

Stainless steel appliances are teamed with a CaesarStone benchtop and white gloss lacquer and oak-veneer cabinetry. A large 120cm freestanding range suits the proportions of the room and offers a variety of options when cooking for both large and small groups. The main oven has nine functions, while the smaller auxiliary oven can be used for conventional cooking, rotisserie and grilling. A six-burner gas hob includes a fishburner and an electric Teppanyaki griddle. Keeping the air clear is a 120cm, 850m³/h, wall-mounted rangehood with two halogen lights.

A fully integrated Smeg dishwasher blends with the cabinetry. It has an orbital wash system and capacity for 12 place settings. Super-silent insulation makes it ideal for open-plan living spaces.

Also built into the kitchen is a coffee machine and a 546-litre side-by-side refrigerator/freezer with a water filter and icemaker. A wine cooler and microwave are in the walk-in scullery.

For details on the Smeg appliance collection, visit the Applico website: www.applico.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas