Smart style This Melbourne kitchen blends past and present

DRAWING FROM THE PAST, A HIGHLY CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN COOKS UP FLAIR AND FUNCTIONALITY

great backdrop “DARKER CABINETRY PROVIDES A TO THE KITCHEN, WHILE SOFT GREY CABINETRY unifies THE SPACE” ~ FIONA AUSTIN, INTERIOR DESIGNER

Four challenges faced interior designer Fiona Austin of Austin Design Associates when she started to work her magic on the heart of this expansive new home in inner Melbourne. “The kitchen had to have great workspaces, an easy flow between the appliances, a large island bench and a butler’s pantry,” she says. These features have become needs in many contemporary kitchens, and with good reason. “We all live fast-paced lives these days,” says Fiona, “so we want to come home to a kitchen that is easy to use and extremely functional, and that also makes a style statement.” Fiona, who designed this beautiful kitchen for one of Verde Homes’ display homes, adds that it was important to come up with a cooking and casual dining area that was elegant, timeless and imbued with warmth. “We were inspired by the architecture of the property, in particular the Hamptons-style exterior and windows,” she says. Balance was also a key consideration. “None of the materials used in the kitchen compete with one another,” says Fiona. “They all work well together and with everything else in the home.” Full of storage options in the main cooking zone and a well-equipped butler’s pantry, this kitchen makes light work of keeping clutter at bay.

HIDDEN TREASURES The highlights come thick and fast in this Melbourne kitchen designed by Fiona Austin of Austin Design Associates, with its large island bench and cabinetry in Elton Group’s Likewood ‘Burnished Oak’. Seamlessly integrating the fridge...

FAMILY COMES FIRST In a large home such as this, the kitchen had to be conducive to cooking for a crowd. “The appliances are generous, and with the oven wall-stack [above right] and 900mm-wide Bertazzoni cooker you can have different meals on the go...

GLOW & SHOW ‘Cloche’ pendants by Porcelain Bear were introduced to light up the island bench. “They are classic, yet contemporary,” says Fiona. “They don’t create conflict with anything in the room, which is important.”