Welcoming accents

A creative kitchen design can work with a variety of elements to create a relaxing, visually welcoming aesthetic. Attention to scale is the secret to drawing the disparate aspects together.

This kitchen, by designer Mick De Giulio with close collaboration from the owner, subtly reflects a love of Indonesian artifacts and culture. Overall balance is achieved through an emphasis on texture and balanced proportions.

"The project combines classic and modern accents," says De Giulio. "A traditional coffered ceiling and crown moulding on the cabinetry are balanced by modern cabinet panels which I designed for SieMatic, the distinctive lighting and a custom hood that is also my own design.

"Balinese influences can be seen in the island and the wall cabinetry that houses the refrigeration. Both are finished in hand-scraped sucupira Brazilian hardwood. The island has a reed-like finish in solid sucupira, while the cabinets are built from solid wood frames and veneer panels in the same material."

The designer chose the exotic wood for its highly textural almost furry appeal, and this emphasis on texture extends to several other surfaces in the kitchen.

The range hood is clad in a limestone with a high level of fossilization running through it. The backsplash behind is finished in the same unusual, highly textured stone.

Two types of granite feature on adjacent countertops, adding to the material diversity. The white cabinets are contrasted with two gloss ebony walnut niches at the edge of the space, one containing a drinks station.

"Many of these surfaces imply an artisanal approach, and some, such as the Brazilian hardwood, were finished by hand," De Giulio says. "While the overall scale of the various objects draws everything together, I also designed the countertops with different thicknesses to give each their own accent."

A bronze edging on the island countertop and silver trim on the hood are further eclectic material touches and add to a feel of modernity.

"With the variety of surfaces and finishes, the Indonesian emphasis does not so much dominate the kitchen as make an understated yet welcoming contribution," says De Giulio.

Story by: Charles Moxham