Stepping it up

Even when space is scarce, the kitchen is still the heart of the modern living area. It's where we meet, eat, discuss and deliberate and for those with a passion, it's where we create.

Designer Ron Partington was tired of seeing apartment kitchens that looked like after-thoughts, so when the owner of this apartment asked him to step the specs up a notch, he relished the opportunity to tailor the design to suit.

"The client loves entertaining and cooking, so we provided two large Ilve BMP ovens with eight burners," says Partington.

Storage can be a problem in apartment kitchens, but here it is solved by a semi walk-in pantry and extensive cabinetry under the peninsula bench and on either side of the oven.

"When there are walk-in spaces and storage areas you allow privacy, so it's possible to have some mess and clutter tucked somewhere out of sight. This gives the feel of an older home."

Partington says he likes kitchens to appear clean and sharp, so he designed the benchtops in stainless steel with waterfall edges.

Cabinet legs are matched with those on the oven, while on the peninsula side there is a toe-kick.

The visual weight of the charcoal cabinetry and metallic surfaces is balanced by the frosted glass storage cabinets and the pale timber peninsula front. Likewise, natural tones in the limestone flooring and the stone hue of the bar stools help to offset the stainless steel benches and appliances.

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Jamie Cobeldick Stepping it up Bringing the kitchen out of the background calls for