At 37 stories in the sky, you are drawn to the uninterrupted views over central Auckland. As you enter the apartment the solid timber fins define the open entry. The kitchen wanted to be functional and inviting, and to sit comfortably within the 3.6m stud open-plan living space.

The client had a clear aesthetic in mind which accommodated the use of some treasured fittings saved from a childhood family home; the floating shelving provides an opportunity to display these special pieces and add some colour. The 100 x 100 full-height tiles complement the modern 70s aesthetic and add texture to the two-tone kitchen. Down the hallway you are drawn through a custom walnut door to the impressive library, with solid walnut floating shelving featuring a custom movable ladder to allow full access to the space.

In this rural setting, the view is the focal point. The brief was to provide a large space to entertain guests and family while letting the home’s surroundings guide the design of the kitchen, where a cantilevered four-metre island provides a ‘perch’ from which to enjoy the stunning vistas. The use of only three materials – oak, quartzite, and stainless steel – and integrated appliances kept the design minimal to prevent any interruption from the view.

The final touches of soft lighting handles and finishes keep the space warm, practical, and uncluttered.

This new home for a social family required open and flowing spaces that matched the aesthetic of both the exterior of the home and the client’s sophisticated styling choices. The positioning of the kitchen allowed for flow into the dining room, where the curves on the island, constructed from Genia architectural panelling, continue into the booth-style seating at the dining table.

The seamless transition from benchtop and window to exterior deck allows the perfect entertaining space for BBQs and other social occasions. Beautiful, natural, and light textures were the client’s vision, and the kitchen has brought these together, using oak melamine, white curved panelling, and the subtle earthy tones and tactility of Marble SaSaab benchtops.

Functionally, the space lets multiple people work at once, while the kids can be seated on the island, or still in view in the dining space, living room, or outside. Having a visible extractor or tall cabinetry in the main kitchen space was a no-go for this client, so food storage is primarily in the pantry, with Häfele oil inserts by the oven for quick access to the bits you need on hand while cooking.

Given the limited space behind the hob, and the need to avoid an in-ceiling power pack or canopy range hoods, the practical and elegant solution was to install a rear riser, with the motor hidden away in a pantry corner cupboard.  

An arched walkway forms a clutter-free link between the kitchen and the pantry. The pantry finishes echo the kitchen aesthetic, with floating shelves, bench space for the coffee machine and any other small appliances, and a Sage roller door, so that food can be hidden away, yet kept close to hand.

The home is stunning from the moment you walk down the driveway, with cohesion between all of its well-thought-out spaces; it remains effortlessly functional, with the kitchen at its heart.