Crisp & calm
Clean lines and beautiful natural stone combine to create a deliciously light-filled and luxe kitchen.
Sydney couple Dean and Donna faced an issue commonly experienced by owners of older houses: the rear section of their 1914 semi-detached home was a labyrinth of small rooms, the product of years of ad-hoc renovations. So they engaged architects Baikie Corr and interior designer Lara Ette to help them reimagine this space, at the heart of which they wanted a light-filled, open-plan kitchen with a feature island.
The layout emerged organically. To draw light into the space, the architects specified a glass splashback and positioned a window above the cabinetry. “It made sense to place the kitchen sink and mixer under the window, with the oven on the other side,” says Lara. “It’s an L-shaped layout, with the pantry at one end and the fridge at the other, with a generous island in the middle.” The island, measuring 2.4x1.1 metres, has a sink-free, clutter-free benchtop, as per Dean and Donna’s brief, making it a natural spot for gathering and entertaining.
In response to the call for a “light, bright and calm” scheme, Lara teamed white V-groove cabinetry with benchtops and splashbacks in Super White Dolomite, a beautiful, cloud-like stone that wraps around the sides and front fascia of the island. “We wanted to let it shine,” says Lara. The cabinetry adds texture while the clean-lined benchtops ensure the room feels contemporary and fresh. Touches of brass create the effect of subtle jewellery in the room.
Lara Ette Design; laraettedesign.com.