COOL, CALM COLLECTED
SIMPLICITY, CLEAN LINES AND A NATURAL PALETTE CREATE A KITCHEN HAVEN REMOVED FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE
It can be hard to visualise the details when you’re buying your forever home off the plan. For Melbourne couple Rebecca and Daniel, the solution was to enlist sisters Lauren and Amanda Martin, of architecture and interior design practice Studio Martin, to devise a bespoke fit-out tailored to match the needs of their growing family, and to reflect their passion for natural materials.
As keen cooks who enjoy entertaining, a priority for the couple was to create a practical zone with plenty of bench space, teamed with custom cabinetry to hide all the clutter. “Although the floor plan was mainly set, when we came on board prior to the build, we had the opportunity to replan the kitchen layout to accommodate a hidden bar off the dining area and a butler’s pantry leading to a separate laundry,” says designer Lauren. “Having these busy work zones alongside each other is really practical, particularly for a young, busy family, as you can multitask while preparing dinner.”
As well as being functional, the space had to be beautiful and evoke a sense of calm. To achieve a warm, organic feel, the paredback palette was centred around celebrating timber, with expanses of custom spotted gum timber veneer joinery by LWW Interiors, offset by light oak engineered floorboards from Made by Storey. The hero piece is undoubtedly the bespoke island bench. “Rather than a frantic hub, we really wanted the kitchen to feel calm, with lovely natural light, warmth from the timber, and access straight out to the garden,” reflects Rebecca. “It’s relaxing to just sit there with a coffee or a glass of wine. It’s the soul of our home.”
LAYOUT LOGISTICS
As the space combines an openplan living, kitchen and dining area, the design concept was to create moments of surprise and conceal work zones. “We created a division between the main kitchen and galley-style butler’s pantry by designing a full-height appliance wall (below),” explains designer Amanda. “This zone then flows through to a separate laundry, which can be screened off with a timber pocket door.”
HARD-WEAR FINISHES
While homeowners Rebecca and Daniel loved natural materials, they wanted to steer away from a porous natural stone benchtop in favour of a more robust material. A terrific option was a Laminam porcelain slab from Signorino, also used on the splashback (right). “It ticked all the boxes,” says Rebecca. “It’s stain-, scratch- and heatresistant, which means we can take a pot straight off the cooktop and put it onto the bench.”
“THE MINIMALIST AESTHETIC OVERLAID WITH WARM, NATURAL MATERIALS WAS THE KEY TO CREATING THE OWNERS’ DREAM SPACE”~ AMANDA MARTIN, DESIGNER
HIDDEN EXTRAS
One of Rebecca and Daniel’s favourite features within the reworked space is the hidden bar, which works a treat when entertaining. Adjoining the kitchen, the bar area is kept under wraps behind a sliding solid spotted gum door, which opens to reveal a timber-lined service station. The bronze mirror splashback stretching to the ceiling bounces light around the zone and reflects the home’s leafy outlook.