A light, natural colour palette and integrated or concealed appliances magnify a slight kitchen that was named the KBDI Winner in the Designer Small Kitchens SA section and the 2019 HIA Winner in the Renovated Kitchen up to $35K category.
The homeowners were looking for a kitchen with a twist — something a little different to reflect their personalities and the quirky vibe of the 1960s abode they call home. The kitchen’s scant parameters inspired a design solution that focused on maximising bench space and concealing appliances wherever possible. The integration of the fridge/freezer and dishwasher maximises the visual balance, so the space appears streamlined. Similarly, the microwave rests on the underside of the island bench, out of sight but functional as ever and within easy reach.
White Smeg appliances blend in with the door and drawer fronts, extending the illusion of space and producing a harmonious palette infiltrated by hoop pine plywood feature framework. The incorporation of framework provided an opportunity for a clever notch-out handle detail, thus negating the need for handles on drawer and door fronts, adding to the clean, detailed look. Additionally, the plywood lends a warm textural element to the otherwise stark kitchen.
The proximity of the kitchen to the open-plan living and dining area meant there was no need for seating at the island. This fact has safeguarded the kitchen against visual clutter and freed up floor space. Open-tray storage and open shelving above the fridge break up the expanse of white and soften the grid structure, while supplying endearing nooks for special pieces and useful items.
Concrete-look stone benchtops add earthiness and link to the tile splashback. The shade of the domed tiles is akin to the benchtops and proffers a textured visual connection between the two elements. The tiling stretches to the top of the wall adjacent to the splashback and around the window to balance out negative space.
White, bright and wonderful, this SpaceCraft Joinery kitchen is the whole package.
Designer Nathan Wundersitz for SpaceCraft Joinery
FEATURE FOCUS
Hinges Blum soft close
Drawers Blum intivo Blumotion soft-close drawers
Bins Wilson & Bradley door-mounted bin, four bin liners
Hardware/wireware Blum lift-up doors; Vauth Sagel Cor Flex wireware pull-out to blind corner cupboard
Oven Smeg Victoria Aesthetic pyrolytic built-in
Cooktop Smeg Victoria Aesthetic natural gas
Rangehood Smeg
Dishwasher Fisher & Paykel fully integrated DishDrawer
Sink Abey Schock SOHO large single-bowl Polaris
Lighting LED warm white strip lighting to underside of overheads
Originally published in Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly Edition 27 No. 3
