DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
With a client who loves to cook and entertain, it was vital the kitchen become a stage upon which a cooking experience could be held. Located in an apartment building, there were some challenges to overcome to ensure the end result was exactly as the client decreed.

Structural concrete columns could not be moved and the restriction of services needed to stay within the same zones, so a range of smart design choices were made to ensure the success of the final project.

With its bold colour palette that celebrates deep, dark and mysterious tones, the kitchen adds a luxury element to the apartment without taking over the space and dominating the open-plan living area. The owner wanted guests to be able to share in the cooking experience so plenty of space in and around the kitchen area was incorporated for the “audience”.

A colour scheme such as this only works when all the elements and materials work in harmony. A clever use of differing levels within the kitchen help to temper the otherwise dark tones with two pops of contrast – the lowered table and the upper cabinetry – achieving a visual balance.

The matte cabinetry is tempered by the expansive natural light which flows into the open-plan room from the amazing floor-to- ceiling glass panels.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Although not an overly large space, the kitchen packs plenty of organizational punch with ample storage solutions thanks to slide out drawers – some of which are hidden behind doors. A small appliance and coffee zone hide away to create an uncluttered bench.

This cunning combination of textures and finishes creates the impression that the kitchen is much larger than in reality and adds to the visual illusion of more space in and around the kitchen area. In keeping with the overall colour scheme, a Zip HydroTap Elite was specified in Matte Black and is partnered with a matching matte black mixer tap. The HydroTap delivers instant, filtered boiling and chilled water to ensure the cooking and entertaining continues without pause.

Of particular note is the clever “walk through” aspect of the kitchen. In order to incorporate the structural post, a full- height cabinet was placed at one end of the kitchen with the bulkhead above creating a “tunnel” through which the cook can access the dining area. It also “grounds” the kitchen in its place which allows the rest of the kitchen to flow outwards – also accentuating the sense of space.

The bulkhead is also a nice design touch as it provides the kitchen with a definitive border within the open-plan room and helps to visually segregate the living, dining and cooking zones.

PROJECT: Galt, Seven Hills, NSW
SPECIFIED BY: Attard’s Kitchens & Cabinetry
PHOTOGRAPHER: Scott Horsburgh
PRODUCTS SPECIFIED: HydroTap Elite – Matte Black