KITCHEN CLOSE-UP
Fashion doyenne Caroline Sills’ Auckland kitchen reflects the same timeless elegant design style that has made her a household name
Fashion doyenne Caroline Sills opens up her designer kitchen.
Open up many a Kiwi woman’s wardrobe and chances are you’ll find a piece of Caroline Sills’ clothing. A veritable doyenne of the New Zealand fashion scene, Caroline launched her eponymous knitwear-wholesaling brand in 1982. Now, the company has an additional two labels, Sills and ISAAC + LULU, as well as five Sills + Co retail stores which sell the three clothing ranges and a carefully curated collection of homeware and plants. It’s no surprise then to find that the kitchen in Caroline’s light-filled Devonport waterfront home mirrors her fashion style: timeless design, luxe, and yet fit for purpose.
“Our house is one big room opening to the sea at the front and the garden at the back.
The kitchen had to be functional and elegant but not terrifyingly elegant… It’s visible from the whole room,” she says.
The kitchen was designed by Italian Antonia Astori for Driade and supplied and installed by Hilary Skinner from Auckland-based Skinner Design. It’s comprised of light aluminium units – which can be removed easily – and glassfronted storage cupboards for crockery.
“Most Italians rent and when they move they take their kitchens with them,” Caroline says. “We have had this kitchen since we built the house 14 years ago. The system was designed in the 80s, and it still looks as good as the day it was put in. This is not a show pony. This is a working kitchen.”
Caroline chose two islands, with the front one having a clear surface to serve food and drinks, and the rear housing the oven, gas hob and two sinks.
“The double islands absolutely work – we can have 10 people in the kitchen or two – it’s a very good use of space. I insisted on the big bi-fold doors at the back to let in the morning sun, and for looking out on the nice, big green hedge.”
The herringbone floor is oak and the bench tops are Carrara marble.
“You can scrub it [Carrara marble] hard and it wears so well. Have you seen the steps leading up to the Vatican? It’s the same thing.
The only real blemish is caused by lemon juice and I just get it honed every so often.”
A busy schedule means dinner is often courtesy of Village Kitchen, but when she has more time Caroline enjoys both cooking and entertaining. Her entertaining style is relaxed and meals are either eaten at the kitchen island or around the three metre-long dining table bought from Donald Melville Antiques in Takapuna. “I always like to set a beautiful table, casual but always with flowers, and candles. I like people to serve themselves and not have too much formality.”
Caroline says her cooking style is “quite creative. I don’t stick to recipes” and admits to being “good at improvising and winging it at the last minute.” Favourite dishes include Thai curries, English roasts, and Italian. “I like a variety. I just like cooking when I get a chance.”
Her life and business have always been based around family. Husband Lloyd handles the company’s finance, their daughters Christina and Toni manage the stores and sales and marketing respectively, and they all regularly end up eating at her home or their holiday house on Waiheke Island.
“We always have a great New Zealand cheeseboard with olives, salmon dip, warm goat’s cheese – rather than lots of courses. I like a traditional leg of lamb with Mediterranean vegetables and a big salad.”
So who is the main cook in the house? “That’s up for debate,” Caroline says. “If you ask me, it’s me, and if you ask my husband, it’s him!”