Best kitchen wows competition judges
A New Plymouth kitchen designer is celebrating after coming up with the best kitchen in the country - for the third time.
Glen Johns, of Kitchens by Glen Johns, saw off all competitors to win the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association NZ (NKBA) Supreme Kitchen Design Award for 2017 at an event held in Sydney last week.
It was the the first time the New Zealand event has been held offshore, and Johns picked up the prize for a sleek, minimalist effort designed for a home in Mount Maunganui at a cost of $80,000, not including appliances.
‘‘The design took around two weeks and the build took around 400 hours of labour,’’ said Johns.
But he was quick to point out that he did not only cater for the top end of the market.
‘‘We don’t just do expensive kitchens. We can work with any budget.’’
Seventy-six people were nominated for awards this year, and they all had to fly to Sydney to attend the ceremony or face disqualification, he said.
Johns’ prize was a $1,000 voucher for Fisher & Paykel appliances - previous years have seen winners awarded trips overseas.
He previously won the award in 2003 and 2008 and said after this latest win he felt ‘‘the same as they other times I’ve won. Yes, it’s good’’.
The designer says his clients requested a contemporary, minimalist kitchen with a ‘‘natural’’ look that would complement the views out to an iron sand beach.
Johns consequently specified sleek black cabinets with no visible handles, overhead cabinets in stainless steel, timber side panels and a timber ceiling. These materials are complemented by an iron sand concrete floor.
A floating-style island features a stainless steel top, with a cantilevered end creating an ideal area for casual eating and entertaining. The benchtop along the back wall and the splashback are in Dekton Doomos, which enhances a ‘‘dark and moody’’ ambience.
‘‘We added a scullery so the aesthetics of the main kitchen are not compromised by the functional aspects of food preparation, storage and cooking appliances,’’ says Johns.
‘‘The refrigerator is also in the scullery to help keep the main space clutter-free.’’
The NKBA judges said Johns kitchen design offers a ‘‘sophisticated space, with a juxtaposition of the warm wood and metal’’.
‘‘The lighting provides an intimate feel and offers clever use of modern technology.’’