Kitchen beneath high void offers taste of America
Many kitchens sit beneath lowered ceilings, but our Kitchen of the Week does the opposite.
It sits directly below a double-height void with a fully glazed ceiling. Which means the kitchen is flooded with light.
But that’s not the only point of difference.
The kitchen reflects an American design sensibility, which designer Rebecca Moores of HK Kitchens says reflects the look of the rest of the home, in Pillans Point, Tauranga.
“My brief was to design a spacious kitchen predominantly used by one-totwo people but which could also cater to five-to-six individuals when the client's adult sons return home from university or overseas travel.”
So the kitchen needed to be suitable for preparing meals for up to 10 people, with a focus on regular baking and entertaining. The clients wanted a good-sized scullery that could serve as a space for food preparation, clean-up and storage.
The kitchen wish list also included a specific space close to the dining table where the clients can prepare their breakfast entirely without having to interact with others using the kitchen.
‘No expensive gadgets’
“They wanted a social space with a family feel where cooking and casual entertaining could work side by side,” Moores says.
“And they wanted all baking necessities in one space, and no expensive gadgets.”
The designer was brought on board by the clients during the house planning phase to design the kitchen as well as five other areas.
“The double-height ceiling meant the size and scale of the kitchen had to be carefully considered,” she says.
“Narrow reed glass inserts in cabinets and warm lighting over cupboards help to define the kitchen space and give it a more intimate feel.”
Moores specified Dezignatek Ronda doors and drawers in Designer White with a satin finish. Accent cabinetry is Prime Melamine Black Forest Oak from Timberland.
These are teamed with Michaelangelo Quantum Quartz benchtops with a polished finish.
Moores says the small issue of powerpack ventilation was solved by decreasing the depth of the glass door units, which allows ducting to run behind and out through the wall at a suitable location.
To cater for the special breakfast-making request an on-bench unit was created next to the dining table.
This is purpose-built to house particular small appliances, crockery and food. A boiling tap was also provided next to this area.
“We added a bar fridge, not just for the breakfast milk but also for beer and wine as it is close to the dining table and games room next door.”
An additional on-bench unit was added to mirror this one at the opposite end of the kitchen.
This one is specifically for baking essentials, including ingredients and a cake mixer.
We added a set of smaller drawers for baking utensils and bowls. A purpose-built drawer next to the oven houses baking trays.
• Kitchen designer: Rebecca Moores, HK Kitchens
• Kitchen manufacturer: HK Kitchens, Tauranga