White and wood kitchen with furniture-like island and plenty of storage and display shelving

Introducing a new kitchen into a traditional home often requires a balance between relaxed, cosy warmth and contemporary functionality.

This kitchen forms part of a comprehensive renovation of an 1860s Victorian terrace house by designer John Saliba of Rosenthal Munckton Shields. The front rooms and historic facade were retained but the rear has been stripped out and extended, with the new kitchen now at the heart of the home, says Saliba.

"As such, the kitchen had to be sunny, warm and welcoming, and we took several steps to achieve this. An attractive corner window onto a light court together with a glass roof section, ensures the space is filled with light."

As the island is one of the first things visible from the hall, he gave this an approachable, furniture-like quality with decorative pilasters and a deep stone benchtop much like a rustic freestanding butcher's block.

"A darker colour choice on the island also separates it from the white painted wall cabinetry, making it seem even more like an individual piece of furniture," says Saliba.

And for similar reason, there is no sink or any appliances installed on the island these are all relegated to the perimeter of the kitchen.

The simple, shallow panels on the cabinets have a transitional feel. Together with the many drawers and cupboards in the island, these offer extensive storage, including a pantry with fold-out and retracting doors beside the cooktop.

There is also open display shelving above the refrigerator and a wall-hung shelf unit over the sink to display the owners' favourite crockery, adding another rustic touch to the design.

The ceiling in the open-plan kitchen, the adjacent meals area and in the family room is finished in painted Regency lining boards adding to the required country kitchen accent.

"While the colour palette is fairly restrained, this is balanced by an emphasis on texture," says the designer. "The splashback is in tactile, undulating tiles and new oak floors laid throughout have only been given a light satin finish with the knots and grains adding visual texture to the design."

Despite the rustic accent, the modest-sized kitchen includes every modern convenience. For example, a USB port and power socket are conveniently yet discreetly tucked under the island benchtop.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Andrew Ashton