KITCHEN CLOSE-UP
It may be compact for a family that’s big on cooking for friends and family, but this sleekly practical Wellington kitchen punches above its weight as an entertaining hub
Luke and Amanda Pierson’s kitchen may be compact but it’s not short on functionality or style.
If ever there were tangible proof that good things come in small packages, it would be Luke and Amanda Pierson’s uber-stylish kitchen. It’s no wonder their Wellington house was named HOME magazine’s Best Small Home in 2016, and the kitchen, all angular sophistication and industrial chic, is a glinting jewel in this sleekly contemporary crown.
Luke’s brothers built the two-tiered, threebedroom house over four levels on a tiny section; the site is smaller than the large Seatoun house Luke and Amanda moved out of three years ago. It may be down-sizing, but it’s by no means a downgrade. Moving to the innercity Mt Cook property has meant the couple – parents to Quincy, eight months; Florence, two-and-a-half; and Oscar, 12 – have been able to focus on superb quality in every detail.
“We built the house, and worked closely with Patch Work Architecture to design the kitchen. It’s quite compact, so we wanted to make maximum use of the space, and keep it ‘social’,” says Amanda.
It’s certainly that. Indeed the word ‘island’ has never been more of a misnomer; this central hub is regularly populated with guests who congregate at its stainless steel surface to chat, drink and graze while their host cooks and converses.
Friendliness and functionality go hand in hand here; the space is kept cheery thanks to the natural light streaming in through the ranch-slider windows, there’s a wood burner in the dining area, and the outdoor fire – again a focal point for chatter and clinking of glasses – is close by. But the space is highly practical too, with its petite proportions a virtue rather than a shortcoming.
“It’s very efficient to work in, as everything is basically a turn and a step away,” says Amanda. Surprisingly, the storage space is more ample than in their previous home. “The walk-in pantry is like the Tardis. The kitchen just wouldn’t work without it,” says Amanda.
Stainless-steel benches are hard-wearing and have developed “a nice patina”. And the Miele induction hob does double duty; it’s fast and efficient when it’s on, and provides another work surface when it’s off.
The kitchen is very much the heart of the couple’s home. With a large extended family and friends, it’s the place everyone gravitates to. Amanda and Luke are busy people; he founded Heyday Digital in 2000, which has just merged with J Walter Thompson to become Wunderman Thompson NZ. Luke’s now heading up this tech, creative and data agency, which means he’s spreading his time between Auckland and Wellington. As well as work, and young children, there’s more construction in the works too. “We have two more builds on the go,” says Amanda. “A farmhouse in Pauatahanui (growing family!), and two
architectural townhouses in Kelburn. We’re also involved in a couple of tech startups.”
They’re never too busy, however, to have friends and family over. Their entertaining style is “very relaxed and informal – lots of conversation and music. The evening usually starts with a drink and a snack in the kitchen, and ends with a scotch or two around the fire outside,” says Luke.
Both Luke and Amanda love to cook
– they count Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnleywhittingstall and Google among their culinary influences – but, admits Luke, “Amanda does the lion’s share.” Favourites include everything from the “big classic roast” to vegan chocolate cake and tempura. “We like to experiment.”
When one of them is away, the menu changes slightly. “We cook a lot more toast, and a lot more eggs. We also go through even more Fix & Fogg peanut butter than we usually do. Oh, and bacon,” says Luke.
And if someone who knew the couple perhaps less well were invited into their home, what might they be surprised by? “The main surprise would be the house,” says Luke, “because of the way it reveals itself on the site, the interesting space, and being tucked away down a street nobody knows exists.” It also appears much bigger than it is due to the use of plenty of glass and clever outdoor spaces.
But, adds Luke, “We don’t aim to surprise – we aim to make people welcome, and have a good time.”