RUSTIC MODERN KITCHEN WITH AGED ASH CABINETRY AND CAESARSTONE BENCHTOPS

Nestled within a stunning home featuring light reclaimed brick cladding, this kitchen perfectly marries rustic warmth with contemporary style. Crafted with Aged Ash Melteca cabinetry and topped with sleek Caesarstone Snow benchtops, the space exudes an inviting and timeless appeal.

A discreet bifold door reveals a hidden bar area, adding a touch of elegance and functionality. Bright natural light floods the airy scullery through adjacent windows, creating a seamless flow between the kitchen and outdoor spaces. The kitchen island’s back features delicate thin V-groove detailing, adding subtle texture and visual interest.

Accents of brass hardware and natural materials enrich the kitchen’s design, balancing rural charm with modern sophistication. As the heart of this beautifully styled home, the kitchen embodies the perfect rural lifestyle kitchen—warm, practical, and effortlessly stylish.

A KITCHEN DESIGNED TO FRAME THE VIEW – CUSTOM CABINETRY BY FLUID INTERIORS

Set in the hills of Mangawhai, this beautiful home by Jeremy Chapman Architecture (JCA) was designed around the view — and the kitchen was no exception. The client’s vision was to create a generous, welcoming space to host friends and family, while keeping the design calm and understated to let the landscape speak for itself.

Working closely with the client and architect, Fluid Interiors designed, manufactured, and installed the kitchen and scullery cabinetry, focusing on simplicity, natural materials, and lasting quality. The four-metre cantilevered island provides a sculptural focal point and a place to sit and take in the surrounds. A palette of Marlin Grey quartzite, stainless steel, and white American oak in a vertical crown cut was chosen for its warmth and timelessness.

Every detail was thoughtfully resolved — from integrated appliances that blend seamlessly into the cabinetry, to the pocket door that conceals the scullery, adding function without interrupting the space. Soft lighting and natural textures keep the space feeling warm and grounded.

This kitchen is a quiet, elegant response to its location — one that feels effortless, yet every element has been deeply considered.

WAINUI KITCHEN: NATURAL TEXTURE, FLOWING FORMS, FUNCTIONAL LIVING

This new home, designed for a social family, called for open, flowing spaces that reflected both the home’s exterior and the clients’ sophisticated interior style. The kitchen sits at the centre of it all, designed to feel connected to the surrounding living and dining areas, with a strong focus on natural materials and thoughtful detailing.

The curved island—finished in Genia architectural panelling—creates a soft, sculptural form that carries through to the booth-style dining nook, helping the two spaces flow as one. A seamless transition from the benchtop and window to the outdoor deck makes entertaining easy, whether it’s summer BBQs or casual family catch-ups.

The clients wanted a light, natural look with layered textures, and this came together through a combination of oak melamine cabinetry, white curved panelling, and Marble SaSaab benchtops. The palette is warm and tactile, with a relaxed elegance that feels both timeless and grounded.

Functionally, the space works just as hard as it looks. The layout allows multiple people to cook and prep at the same time, while kids can perch at the island or stay within view from the dining area, living room, or outside. The clients didn’t want a visible extractor or tall cabinetry interrupting the kitchen’s clean lines, so storage is tucked away in the pantry, and a rear riser was used behind the hob—its motor cleverly hidden in a corner pantry cupboard. Häfele oil inserts beside the oven keep everyday cooking essentials close at hand without adding visual clutter.

An arched walkway connects the kitchen to the pantry, creating a smooth, clutter-free transition. Inside, the finishes mirror the main kitchen, with floating shelves, bench space for the coffee machine and small appliances, and a Sage-toned roller door to keep everything out of sight but easy to reach.

This home is beautifully resolved from the moment you arrive, and the kitchen plays a key role in that. Designed to support daily living, social occasions, and everything in between, it’s a space that feels warm, refined, and truly lived in.