Two large islands take centre stage in this commercial-look domestic kitchen

While the individual concept of refined Asian elements meeting a chic industrial aesthetic might not seem an ideal merger on paper, stepping into this large kitchen shows how effective that marriage can be.

The generous Queenstown home the kitchen forms part of is owned by a global commercial property developer – hence his request to designer Stefan Sonntag of Masterwood for a strong commercial-look aesthetic for the kitchen. The couple had also lived for many years in Hong Kong, driving their fondness for an Asian accent.

“The prominent Asian elements in this part of the home are the Japanese sliding screens that open to the kitchen from the adjacent living/dining area,” says Sonntag.

Further into the room there is another clue to the couple’s love of Asian culture and cuisine – a cantilevered engineered stone work surface with tappenyaki grill. The slab is dramatically suspended off the end of one of two substantial islands.

“While looking like design magic, the suspended bench is underpinned by steel reinforcing,” says Sonntag.

This entire island – the owners call it the chef’s island – is clad in black powder-coated steel and is served by a suspended stainless steel industrial extractor above.

The owners are keen bakers, too. This explains the presence of the marble-top pastry or baking island – the first thing you see when looking into the kitchen. This is finished in pressed steel and wood.

Both substantial islands are supported on steel box section legs and were so heavy that they had to be craned into the space.

Beyond the central, commercial-look islands, a tall wall of American white oak book-matched cabinetry offers a wealth of functionality, appliances and storage.

Another on-show feature is a 2.25m tall by 3.25m long glass-fronted display cabinet for glasses, plates, objets and kitchenware. This draws the eye and diverts attention from the two large pantry areas that serve the kitchen, one a plumbed butler’s pantry.

Natural wood tones, along with the stainless steel and grey island cabinetry surfaces all connect with the views of jagged schist peaks beyond the windows.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Marina Mathews Photography