Top design
AS GLAM AS IT IS HARDWORKING, THIS DRAMATIC MELBOURNE KITCHEN CATERS TO ITS OWNER’S LOVE FOR ENTERTAINING
A cook’s kitchen packed with brilliant ideas
When it came to working her magic on her own kitchen, interior designer Vicky from Lifestyle Indesign Studio knew just where to begin. “As I cook and entertain a lot, I wanted a kitchen that is large, with a commercial-type feel, yet one that would still be beautiful to spend time in,” she says. And, unlike the renovations she tackles in her day job, in this case she only had herself, husband Emmanuel and children Christina and Alexander to please.
Bespoke features abound, with each corner of the inviting cooking and eating domain showcasing streamlined style, functionality and impact. Completely open to the living and dining space, and also linked to the sunny alfresco zone and garden by a full-height glazed door, the space feels both light and spacious. For a self-confessed ‘neat freak’ like Vicky, the ability to keep clutter at bay was key to the kitchen’s design.
A wall of dark joinery stretching up to the ceiling not only brings in warmth and an infusion of drama, it also houses everything from two ovens, the fridge and a microwave to a plethora of carefully considered storage options. And Vicky is thrilled with the result. “There’s nothing I would change,” she says. “It just works so well for us as a family.”
twin treat A generous double sink – the Barazza ‘Cubo’ from Abey, partnered with a stylish Reece Teknobili OZ T7 300 pull-out mixer – was a must-have for Vicky. “I couldn’t live without it,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve always had a double sink – as deep as possible – as it makes washing up so much easier when you’re entertaining.”
benchtop brilliance With its minimalist look and feel and virtually indestructible industrial qualities, brushed stainless steel was Vicky’s benchtop material of choice for the ‘business’ end of the kitchen. “The stainless-steel top is so practical in the cooking area,” she says. “You can put hot dishes straight onto it and it’s completely non-porous, while the white engineered stone on the island looks fresh and stylish.”
colour “I WASN’T KEEN TO INTRODUCE TOO MUCH , BUT I FEEL THAT BLACK AND WHITE AND THE STAINLESS STEEL warmth STILL BRING A LOT OF ” ~ VICKY, HOMEOWNER
savvy storage In creating her ideal kitchen, Vicky made sure there was a place for everything – and more. “I designed the space to incorporate maximum storage, yet with a minimal look,” she explains. “There are no wasted spots, with storage on every side.”
perfect palette Vicky set Duropal Snow White laminate joinery and Quantum Quartz Alpine White benchtops against an expanse of dark cabinetry – Duropal Natural Wood laminate in Black from Bench Top City. “Some people think that dark cabinetry makes a space feel smaller, but that doesn’t have to be the case,” says Vicky. “A contrast of another tone – in this case, white – can also add depth and interest.”
clever hideaway “I wanted the space to not look like a kitchen at all times, which is why the ovens can be closed off behind doors when we’re not cooking,” says Vicky of the Siemens steam and pyrolytic ovens. “When I close the doors, I almost feel like I’m in a lovely living area.”
pantry “THE BUTLER’S HAS BECOME SUCH A TREND, close off BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IT WILL PART OF THE SPACE, WHICH I DIDN’T WANT TO DO. SO I DECIDED joinery ON A FULL-HEIGHT WALL OF INSTEAD” ~ VICKY