Trends New Zealand Volume 34 No 1 | Page 83

Balanced outlook Strong on looks and functionality, this family kitchen is perfectly in keeping with the villa renovation it forms part of An effective kitchen design will reflect balance in form, tone and texture – as well as fitting into the bigger design picture. This large family kitchen with walk-in scullery by designer Morgan Cronin has been designed in conjunction with a sub- stantial renovation of a double storey villa. “In terms of looks, the owners wanted a contemporary aesthetic that combined timber, satin lacquer, marble and Corian,” says Cronin. “The kitchen also had to both stand out as a feature and at the same time work well with its wider surroundings.” As the kitchen is a social hub for the family, the owners also requested seating at the island for four or preferably five. The combination of the dark-stained, textured wire-brushed planked oak with honed white marble results in a classic- meets-contemporary look. These high-end finishes, contrasting texture and tone, ide- ally suit the renovation of the older home. “To assimilate the new kitchen into its surroundings, we proportioned the wall cabinetry to be neatly framed by the nib walls and bulkheads,” says the designer. Facing page: The stepped island cabinetry and countertop together accommodate and delineate seating for the whole family in this kitchen by Cronin Kitchens in a renovated villa. Above: Balance is key to the serenity of the kitchen. Dark contrasts with white, and the smooth honed marble of the countertops is also in textural contrast with the planked American Oak wire-brushed veneer on island and side cabinets. Another balancing act was creating the feature rangehood at a size that worked with the window proportions without losing its own impact. search | save | share at