Beyond the pale Form meets function in this light and luxe kitchen
TIMBER BLENDS WITH WHITE AND FORM MEETS FUNCTION IN THIS LIGHT AND LUXE KITCHEN
GLEAM DREAM A trio of ‘HD3’ glass pendant ball lamps from ISM Objects have an ethereal feel in this white-and-timber kitchen, with bang on-trend gold accents carried through to the brass wire bar stools from House of Orange. “It’s nice to have a bit of glam and sophistication in the kitchen,” says homeowner Sally.
They may have been planning for the home rather than the classroom, but high-school teachers Sally and Malcolm knew exactly where to begin with the renovation of the dated kitchen in their bayside Melbourne home. “We started by doing lots of good research, which is what we always tell our students!” says Sally.
“We were also very clear in our objectives and we had a good plan.”
The couple enlisted the expertise of local company Cantilever Interiors, as well as contributing to the plan themselves. “I had looked through lots of magazines and accumulated many design ideas and fine-tuned them,” says Sally. “I knew what I really wanted to focus on. I couldn’t be happier with the result.”
It’s easy to see why. While the home’s original 1990s kitchen was decidedly poky, unpractical and a homage to the colour beige, the new light and bright zone is a world removed. Showcasing gorgeous finishes, cleverly concealed fixtures and a plethora of storage options, the luminous hub of the home is clearly a delight to spend time in.
A composite stone island bench is a definite crowd-pleaser, while gold and black highlights are design standouts. Open timber shelving is also a winner, as is the ever-elegant pale palette. “The colour scheme is so fresh,” says Sally. “I have lots of beautiful coloured crockery that I’ve collected over the years, and I just love putting it against all the white. It’s such a lovely backdrop.” Best of all, adds the homeowner, “The kitchen just works perfectly for us and our lifestyle.”
DISPLAY Sally will never regret allocating space for the lovely open timber-veneer shelving to showcase her favourite cookbooks and kitchen collectables. “I like to have a bit of a display area, as well as a spot for items I use regularly, so that I don’t have to open a cupboard all the time,” she says. The feature is also a strong style element, as Cantilever co-director Travis Dean explains. “These shelves and boxes also break up the volume of the white cabinetry, while the American oak veneer matches the flooring,” he says.
STORAGE Smart storage solutions, including wide, soft-closing drawers, a one-door appliance station, swing-out pantry system and deep drawers accommodating two integrated Fisher & Paykel dishwashers, mean the open areas of the kitchen remain clutter-free. “It’s not a huge kitchen, but the storage really is fabulous,” says Sally. While finger pulls were selected for some drawers, sturdy stainlesssteel handles custom-made by Cantilever Interiors were installed for the cabinets housing appliances.