Stand-alone Poggenpohl kitchen designed for entertaining with long island with high-pressure laminate worktop

There was no disguising the kitchen in this apartment in fact the owners requested the exact opposite.

Designer David Kane of Pepper Design in Melbourne says the couple had clear priorities and tastes, and wanted a kitchen that would dominate the designated space.

"The owners both love to cook and entertain, so they wanted their kitchen to be an efficient working space, but it also had to be a design showcase a strong focal point for the entire apartment," says Kane.

With this in mind, the designer's solution was a bespoke fusion of two Poggenpohl styles. The +Modo design, which provides a floating work top and open sliding storage, was selected for the island, while +Integration was specified for the perimeter cabinetry to complement the rest of the apartment.

"The clients didn't want glossy finishes or luxurious marble surfaces. So we have a subtle combination of finely textured grey and white lacquers with light timber elements."

The deep worktop on the island measures 1.2m x 4.6m, and is one continuous surface, which adds to the visual drama of the kitchen.

Both the cooktop and main sink are on the island. Because the owners are devotees of Asian and fusion cooking, the cooktop incorporates a powerful wok burner and an induction hob. A separate coffee-making area on the perimeter features a Miele coffee machine and a sink with a Zip tap that provides instant hot water.

Other key features of the kitchen include a bank of refrigeration and a pantry on the rear wall, with two Siemens wine coolers in the centre. The position of the wall ovens, at the opposite end of the kitchen, makes it easy for more than one person to work at the same time.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes