Previous pages: This kitchen forms part of
a renovation and extension to a Victorian
weatherboard cottage by Austin Maynard
Architects. The reinvented kitchen opens up to the
outdoors and a new deck, which is sheltered by
the overhanging upper-level bedroom extension.
These pages: Chip off the brand new block – the
faceted island evokes the look of an over-sized
chopped block of wood. The stainless steel front
panel on the island opens up as an extension to
the countertop, revealing a storage space behind.
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A tricky aspect of an architect’s role can
be to accommodate what might seem like
two contrasting aesthetics within the same
space. This kitchen is a great case in point.
The brief to architect Mark Austin was
for the kitchen, part of a wider renovation
and extension, to be warm and inviting,
with a modern, semi-industrial accent.
“The kitchen is simple in design, with
the feature island organising the space.
This is clad partly in stainless steel, for an
industrial touch, and in messmate,” says
Austin. “The wood brings natural warmth
to the design and this is repeated on the
upper cabinetry and also echoed in the
Baltac pine floorboards.”
The faceted end of the island calls to
mind a giant chopped block of wood and
leads the eye towards a wall of stacker
doors that open to a new deck beyond.
The stainless steel panel on the other
end of the island opens out and up, adding
further bench space in the modest kitchen
and revealing a storage alcove behind.
The island is the undeniable star of the
kitchen and the side wall of cabinetry is in