Taking full marks

To create a truly successful kitchen, a designer needs to have an eye for design as well as a comprehensive knowledge of the latest materials and products on the market. The ability to listen carefully and understand the needs of the homeowner is another essential ingredient.

Designer Steve Latham of Lathams Kitchens and Interiors put these skills to the test and won the Housing Industry Association Kitchen Project of the Year Award 2007 with the open-plan kitchen shown on these pages. Designed for a former chef and his family, the kitchen, with its combination of warm Tasmanian oak, Sydney blue gum timbers and vivid blue cabinetry, is the focal point of the home's indoor and outdoor entertainment areas.

Judges commented on the designer's excellent use of materials, the high level of workmanship, and the kitchen's innovative appearance.

National chair of the HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms Simon Hodgson says expertise in these areas is part of the professional package that its kitchen and bathroom members offer clients.

"Our members are skilled designers and cabinetmakers who can advise on the latest materials, appliances and designs to achieve a client's dream kitchen. Our annual awards showcase members' professionalism and ability to reach high standards of design and workmanship," he says.

A similar set of skills helped kitchen designer Eva Andrews of International Cabinets to win the HIA's Kitchen Designer of the Year Award 2007 with the kitchen featured on these pages.

The owners wanted a kitchen that reflected their travels and interest in European design. They admired the philosophy of the Bauhaus movement, with its emphasis on form and function, and its ergonomic approach to kitchen design.

Andrews divided the kitchen into separate cooking and washing zones. A multifunctional island bench includes a cooking area, preparation area, breakfast bar, and mobile storage trolley. Two sink bowls and a dishwasher are located along the back wall of the kitchen.

Ample storage was a key requirement, so the kitchen includes a generous number of drawers, slide-out fittings, and a pantry with bi-fold doors, wire baskets and tiered shelving. In addition, a small section of the pantry has slide-out shelving for frequently used items.

A large appliance cabinet with a roller door is located centrally in the space to provide easy access to small appliances, and to maximise storage. The brushed aluminium laminate door complements the stainless steel finish on the appliances and island benchtop. White and contrasting bold tones of mocha and red add form to the space.

For more information on accessing the professional package offered by HIA Kitchen & Bathroom members, visit the HIA website: hia.com.au.

Call Lathams Interiors and Kitchens, 3/218 Macquarie Rd, Warners Bay, NSW 2282, phone (02) 4953 6055.

Or contact International Cabinets, 12 Stretton Pce, Balcatta, WA 6021, phone (08) 9240 9000. Email: admin@internationalcabinets.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas