Warm hearted

Designed by Davinia Sutton, Detail by Davinia Sutton

From the designer:

Our homeowners envisioned a kitchen space with a natural feel that complemented their architecturally designed beachside holiday home. 

They desired a relaxed yet functional, uncluttered kitchen that stayed true to both the boldness of the striking modern architecture and the serenity of the seaside location. 

It had to accommodate both daily functionality as well as the requirements of frequent entertaining.

The kitchen is located in the central point of the open-plan living and dining zone. 

Taking advantage of this spatial placement, the kitchen design is set out in a galley format, extending into a working pantry beyond.

The critical pantry area offers the luxury of separating food preparation from the main space when entertaining. 

It is equipped with a second sink, dishwasher, as well as hidden and exposed storage for the avid cook.

In the main kitchen, the cooking and prep zone is placed on the back wall, incorporating a hidden small food and breakfast pantry and integrated refrigeration. 

Theses tall elements are grouped together to retain a modern aesthetic, with the small working breakfast pantry hidden behind a bi-folding pocket-door system.

The placement of the ovens under the dual gas and induction hob zone, minimises clutter to the elevation and enhances the clean, simple lines.

An island bench in the foreground houses the critical wash and prep zone with sightlines to the exterior dining spaces and seaside beyond. 

The main island benchtop waterfalls to the timber floor on the side and front faces, providing a solid contrast in form, and anchoring it within the space. 

Its design also creates a defined and clean block form and perspective from the living space.

A raised timber bench provides privacy from the living area and brings an interesting natural element to the design. 

The striking warmth of this form draws the kitchen into its surroundings, using a crafted combination of colour, light and texture to create visual unity and to increase the illusion of space.

A restricted palette of quarter-cut American white oak veneer blended with soft touch HPL white ply joinery fronts brings a sense of calm to the main kitchen aesthetic. 

Textured matt porcelain was selected to act as an easy-care, practical worktop surface while simultaneously complementing the joinery palette.

Attention to detail can be seen throughout the space, from the selection of the mid-toned timber flooring to the ceiling finish with birch ply panels. 

These finishes play on the juxtaposition of lightness and the strong structural form of the joinery elements.

The result is a design that beautifully balances colour, light and texture to enhance the space and to create a unique, bespoke kitchen that is both sophisticated and rustic. 

It sits naturally in the modern architectural context of this beachside holiday home, and resolutely delivers on the bold but natural owner brief.

Designed by: Designed by Davinia Sutton, Detail by Davinia Sutton

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Stephen Goodenough