Fresh start

Spacious and elegant in equal measure, this is a family kitchen that always keeps its cool.

“Beautiful and practical with a ton of storage” was interior architect Sally Rhys-Jones’ brief for this kitchen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Previously a jumble of DIY components in an awkward U-shape layout – including work areas at different heights – Sally’s aim was to create a more harmonious, more practical kitchen for the homeowners, a family of five. It would be the entertaining hub of the house, but had to have instant impact since the main entrance of the home opens directly into the space.

Key to the new design is a hard-working 2600x1475mm island, which houses two ovens plus functions as a prep and meals area. It’s topped with Talostone in Superwhite, a family-friendly engineered stone that delivers the look they wanted without any maintenance fuss. The remainder of the appliances – including a french-door fridge and two dishwashers – are integrated into the cabinetry to keep the overall aesthetic crisp and clean. Sally’s suggestion of handmade Moroccan tiles for the splashback was an instant winner. “The owners fell in love with the tiles straight away – they loved their depth, texture and subtle sheen,” she explains.

“The revised layout makes the most of the room’s square shape,” says Sally of the completed project. “There’s ample full-height enclosed storage to keep everything neat and tidy as well as huge expanses of bench space – including one of the largest islands we have designed!”