Solid timber for the cabinetry in this bold, two-tone kitchen all came from one sustainably grown tree

It's good to know that in a fast-paced world where the easiest, fastest mass-produced option usually holds sway, that some things are not just selected for budget constraints or expediency.

This bold entertainer's kitchen by designer David Kane of Pepper Design forms part of an extension to an existing residence. The owners wanted a contemporary, uncluttered look for the kitchen as it's on view from the lofty dining space just a few steps away.

"To achieve the strong minimalist aesthetic we introduced contrasting two-tone cabinetry, with the island's oak plinth and the perimeter undercounter cabinetry designed by Team7, an Austrian solid wood furniture manufacturer.

"This cabinetry is constructed in natural oak, so when you open a cabinet door you see the solid wood interiors. Amazingly, all the timber you see in this kitchen was sourced from the one sustainably grown tree quite a feat in this age of mass production. It also means the tone and grain matches across all the cabinets."

To avoid the rich timber over-powering the design, black matt glass-fronts were added on the upper perimeter cabinets along one wall at eye level and this surface is continued as a full wall of cabinetry on the adjacent wall. The upper cabinets are on electronic push-to-open mechanisms, while the balance of the cabinets have recessed metal pulls the minimalist hardware drawing the two cabinet styles together.

The other predominant colour in the room is the white of the veined marble used on the island countertop, the perimeter countertops, and the splashback. The chunky nature of the island benchtop contrasts with the relatively slender plinth, adding to its presence.

On the cooktop wall, a highly sculptural rangehood looks like it might have just flown in from outer space. The ductless air extractor is part of a new wave of rangehoods that combines charcoal filters and a powerful fan to clear the air without the need for tricky venting.

"We also ran the marble right up the wall behind the rangehood both to look good in its own right and to accentuate the rangehood."

In terms of functionality, the dishwasher is under the benchtop at the rear, while the island plinth has added drawer capacity. However, it's the full cabinetry wall that does the hard work. Together with the prominent oven, this includes a large integrated fridge and a spacious pantry.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Johnny Angel