Veined stone, painted cabinetry and open timber shelving create a serene ambience in this kitchen

The cool look of marble matched with blue cabinetry and generous outdoor connections give this kitchen the relaxed ambience the owners wanted

Rooms were merged and French doors with matching countertop, home, interior design, kitchen, Rob Nerlich, Mcmahon and Nerlich, grey cabinetry, Marble benchtop, countertop — **Rooms were merged and French doors with matching screen doors introduced, looking out to a courtyard garden to set the scene for this marble and blue kitchen by McMahon and Nerlich.**

The clean, crisp island with its waterfall benchtop countertop, benchtop, floor, furniture, interior design, kitchen, Rob Nerlich, Mcmahon and Nerlich, marble benchtop, benchtop waterfall, grey cabinetry

For this kitchen design, open timber shelves provide architecture, house, interior design, kitchen, Rob Nerlich, Mcmahon and Nerlich, marble benchtop, countertop, grey cabinetry

In this kitchen, by McMahon and Nerlich, the architecture, cabinetry, countertop, floor, interior design, kitchen, tile, grey cabinetry, marble

The island’s marble waterfall benchtop with negative detail cabinetry, countertop, floor, interior design, kitchen, marble waterfall, grey cabinetryRob Nerlich, Mcmahon and Nerlich

Open timber display shelving adds to the subtle architecture, countertop, tiles, floor, interior design, kitchen, grey cabinetry, Rob Nerlich, Mcmahon and Nerlich, shelving

Sometimes a few strategic architectural moves can set the tone for a kitchen design even before the first cabinetry piece has been designed. Such was the case here, where architect Rob Nerlich of McMahon and Nerlich merged two existing spaces and added three sets of French doors.

“The owners were renovating and wanting a relaxed setting to reflect their love of fine art, cooking and reading, as well as entertaining for their extended family,” says Nerlich. “We proposed opening up the two ground floor spaces to each other and reorganising the facade to introduce three French style doors, which better linked the landscaped courtyard to the kitchen.

Nestled into this spacious, light-filled area, the two-tone kitchen is a restful mix of natural marble and blue cabinetry faces.

“The blue-veined Arabescato Vagli marble is the hero of the kitchen. This is complemented by the Dulux North Sea-painted cabinetry, the Victorian Ash shelves, the wood dining table and oak engineered floors.”

The design and placement of the cabinetry and appliances helps build the serene aesthetic, as well as adding a wealth of functionality.

“Vertical elements – mainly the integrated fridge and tall pantry – are located together at the inner end of the kitchen, facing the French doors,” Nerlich says. “The appliances and sink are arranged on the long bench to the rear.”

Beneath the frameless, flush rangehood, the Lacanche cast-iron range is proudly on show, bringing a touch of country charm to the kitchen and complementing the French doors.

Storage is addressed by the pantry, drawers on the business side of the island, the perimeter cabinetry and the open display shelving.

“The deep overhead cupboards imply a continuous surface, subtly resolving the junction with the pantry and creating a recessed area to contain the air conditioning unit.”

And the kitchen is just as elegant behind the scenes. The tall pantry doors open to reveal marble-lined interiors lit with sensor lights.

Free of services, the island is the central focus, providing a generous preparation area and space for relaxed gatherings. Melding with the living, dining and courtyard spaces, the kitchen completes the informal living zone.