Warm meets semi industrial in this kitchen with a central sculptural island

A tricky aspect of an architect’s role can be to accommodate what might seem like two contrasting aesthetics within the same space. This kitchen is a great case in point.

The brief to architect Mark Austin was for the kitchen, part of a wider renovation and extension, to be warm and inviting, with a modern, semi-industrial accent.

“The kitchen is simple in design, with the feature island organising the space. This is clad partly in stainless steel, for an industrial touch, and in messmate,” says Austin. 

“The wood brings natural warmth to the design and this is repeated on the upper cabinetry and also echoed in the Baltac pine floorboards.”

The faceted end of the island calls to mind a giant chopped block of wood and leads the eye towards a wall of stacker doors that open to a new deck beyond.

The stainless steel panel on the other end of the island opens out and up, adding further bench space in the modest kitchen and revealing a storage alcove behind.

The island is the undeniable star of the kitchen and the side wall of cabinetry is in white to help it recede from the eye.

Another design element that combines the semi-industrial with a warmer feel is the pendant lighting over the island.

“The commercial-look copper lights also connect with the rich, warm tones of the wood,” says Austin. 

“They have added functionality, too, in that they’re actually professional warming lights and can be lowered to keep plated food hot.”

Adding to the look, the wall radiator might seem like a typical domestic choice – except for its industrial-size proportions.