STRIKING THE RIGHT TONE
Shona Moth, 48, lives in this modern house with her husband and their three sons. After 15 years of tolerating an inherited kitchen, she finally got to realise her perfect renovation
There’s no denying this kitchen is an eye-popping affair. From the handfinished cement cupboard fronts to the natural-stone quartzite island and the 5mm solid-steel worktop that runs along the length of one wall (and rather cleverly incorporates the sink), it’s a striking mix of contemporary and, let’s be honest, glamour. But like all good things, it came to someone who waited a while. Fifteen years, in fact.
“When we first moved here, there was a beautifully crafted oak kitchen already here. Unfortunately, I didn’t particularly like it,” admits Shona. “But it seemed so wasteful to get rid of it, so I waited until family life had taken its toll, and when it really was on its last legs, we decided to renovate.”
The kitchen is actually part of one expansive room, which also incorporates the dining area and living room. So it was crucial that the space worked in unity. “I didn’t want to be relaxing at one end, while staring at loads of utensils and paraphernalia,” says Shona. “It needed to look lovely while still being functional. And as the five of us all hang out here all the time, it is an integral part of the house. It had to be just right.”
Even though Shona had ideas of her own – she was first inspired by a similar kitchen she had seen in Architectural Digest magazine – she turned to Eggersmann Design, which specialises in luxury kitchens.
The swapping of thoughts, photos and possibilities took place, and both Shona and Josh Tait, a designer at Eggersmann Design, reveal how much fun they found the process.
“A project like this is a joy,” says Tait. “Shona had her list of dos and don’ts, but she was also very open to exploring the unusual.”
This philosophy even extends to her choice of seating. The delectable gold velvet curved sofa, which was specially constructed to sit in one corner, was testimony to American mid-century furniture designer Milo Baughman.
“I love his work, and I wanted to include a softness here. Plus, we are a family who relaxes – at any given opportunity, I will be horizontal,” laughs Shona. The stools at the island were also commissioned and constructed after Shona spotted a similar style while browsing an online estate sale in Palm Springs. “They look so 1970s,” she adds. “I love that!”
“That’s the beauty of bespoke,” adds Tait. “You can end up with whatever the imagination conjures. It opens the door to a world of possibilities just waiting to be conceived.”