To the lake

Designed by Yvette Jay Interior Design

From the designer:

This project was kicked off by the need to increase the size of the garage to house a new lake boat.

It resulted in renovations from the southern driveway to the bottom step on the northern lake side deck of a once humble bach.

It had been a much-loved holiday home for this family for more than a decade, and my homeowner planned to retire here in a few more years.

I was engaged to design and fully fit out the interiors for the whole renovation – kitchen, dining, living, bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry and deck areas.

When it came to the kitchen, the owner was clear that it needed to be clutter free, easy to use, sit easily with his personal style of a modern, masculine aesthetic, and have finishes suited to its rural lakeside location.

The kitchen had to be easy to use when he and his partner were in residence, but also able to cater for the crowds over the holidays when children, grandchildren and friends stayed.

I promised to provide him with all of this, and a kitchen that Al Brown (celebrity chef) would be happy in after a day of trout fishing on the lake.

The interiors have an understated and contemporary take on a lakeside lodge while the house has expansive views with strong natural materials such as timbers, stone, leather, wool and metal used throughout.

The kitchen and new butler’s pantry were positioned on the western wall, where there were no windows due to the punishing afternoon heat from the sun.

Velux roof lights were fitted above the kitchen area to provide natural light in this area instead.

When arriving at the lake house, the kitchen is immediately to your left, so it needed to provide a sense of arrival and a generous welcome.

The scale of the kitchen is grand due to the opportunities provided by the exposed rafter ceiling.

A generous leather black granite island bench is flanked by tall crown cut European Oak cabinetry, with the extract canopy running full height to the ceiling.

The butler’s pantry can be closed off by a sliding door when the crowds aren’t around so that the kitchen is the main focus when the couple are in residence.

A tight palette of Oak veneer, Iroko timber flooring, black granite and black slate mosaics within the kitchen creates bold contrasts and unexpected mixes of textures.

The cathedral grain of the crown cut European Oak contrasts against the interlocked grain of the oiled Iroko flooring.

The splashback mosaics are delightful, with a texture reminiscent of tuku-tuku panels or ripples on a darkened lake, or even fish scales.

They dance above the moody expanse of the leathered black granite benches.

All the appliances are from F&P and are integrated to keep the kitchen’s appearance as streamlined as possible – only the ovens and cooktop are visible in the kitchen.

Cabinetry handles are used sparingly as design features on the fridge, freezer and pantry.

All other handles are a shark nose detail with a powder coated extrusion for ease of cleaning.

Storage is all integrated in a logical and efficient manner.

There is space for everyone – expansive benches for workers, with seating on the dining room side of the island bench for others.

People can easily work and move around the kitchen as the layout is logical and efficient.

Designed by: Yvette Jay Interior Design

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Samuel Hartnett