Bold & beautiful

A luxurious ‘plinth’ of marble is the centrepiece of this timeless, simple and sophisticated kitchen.

When Sydney couple Angel and Richard bought their 1940s home, they loved its glamorous Art Deco charm. They didn’t love its kitchen, however. Located at the rear of the house, it was tiny, outdated and didn’t function well. Limited storage and minimal natural light were problems too. As parents to two teenage sons, they needed a larger, family-friendly layout and turned to Bondi Kitchens for a solution. “They wanted a modern, fresh, inviting and timeless design,” says Chris Ruffe, director of Bondi Kitchens. “It needed to be highly functional, easy to use and teenage-boy bulletproof!”. A partition wall was knocked down to open up the space, creating a 7x6.3-metre room which now accommodates the kitchen plus both casual and formal dining. There’s a minimalist L-shape rear bench, corner banquette seating and a long slim island (300x78 centimetre). “It was the best configuration for the room,” says Chris, who revamped the space in collaboration with The Interior Collective. “This arrangement maximises the length and height of the space,” Chris says. “There’s a perfect ‘work triangle’ between the sink and hot and cold appliances, plus the addition of a pantry and appliance nook.” Angel and Richard wanted the island to feel like a solid marble plinth, and chose Calacatta Viola as the statement stone. Cladding the island in the marble creates the effect of a solid chunk of stone, and creates a stunning centrepiece in the process. “Pairing the statement marble with simple white cabinetry allows both elements to shine,” says Chris. “The white cabinets anchor the marble, showcasing the features of the stone while also creating a sense of calm and elegance.” >