Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 32 No 5 New Zealand | Page 41

“The materials are honest and balanced but not to period,” says the architect. “However, the design still needed to suit the age and style and context of the original building – hence our emphasis on textural detailing. “The kitchen and pantry walls are clad in a textured handmade white ceramic subway tile. In the kitchen, the tiling is punctuated with door openings in blackened steel, carrying the home’s window detailing into the space. The two-tone effect is reinforced with the custom, slender blackened steel light over the island benchtop. The 3.5m long island operates as two zones – one end for working on the other for seating.” The hand-painted beadboard ceiling and light-stained timber floors also add to the sense of a crafted aesthetic. However, there is more to the demarcation of space in this design. While the business side of the kitchen is a picture of gleaming stainless steel appliances integrated into stainl ess steel cabinetry, the other side – nearest to the living areas – is finished in refined wood joinery. BE Architecture’s design subtly delineates connections and separations while evoking the feel of a working kitchen with an artisanal air. Above left: The pantry next to the kitchen has the same black, white, and wood look as the main kitchen. As well as a prep bench under the window for natural light, the space includes additional storage, secondary appliances and a butcher’s block-look island. Legend: 1 Main kitchen, 2 walk-in pantry, 3 ancillary study space search | save | share at