Berkeley

Previously this kitchen included a closed-off peninsula bench with a bulkhead and a separate door to enter the butler’s pantry. Due to the closed-off peninsula, the kitchen space felt cramped and pokey. The surrounding living area was underutilised with large empty areas. The overall style was traditional, however, it was dated.

Our design opens the space by removing the closed-off peninsula and replacing it with a large island bench that utilises the kitchen and living area. We also removed the bulkhead and wall to the butler’s pantry allowing natural light to flow through, lifting the space. The custom island features a batten groove profile on the base, and a Smartstone satin Davinci Blanco benchtop that continues on the side cabinetry into the open butler’s pantry. To meet the monochrome brief, we used a mix of dark grey and white in the cabinetry, balanced with black fixtures speckled throughout in the fixtures, finishings, and appliances.

This custom-designed island bench comfortably seats 6 people with plenty of standing space, perfect for a family home that loves to entertain. With the base of the island in a moody stormcloud grey, it balances the matt white and creates depth to the space. The feature batten groove profile flows into three sets of drawers and base cabinets for everyday storage. The abundant bench space provides plenty of opportunities not just for kitchen preparation and entertaining, but also as a workspace.

We wanted to create a space that allowed the client to entertain and cook up a storm with everything they need at their fingertips. Across from the island there is custom built-in cabinetry, hosting the dual ovens, fridge, and pantry, with tall and upper cabinetry in between. The benefit of designing all of our cabinetry it that it allows us to create storage and functionality that is perfectly suited to our clients home and their lifestyle, with every little detail being purposefully considered. The finer details are so important, and in this kitchen we’ve incorporated automated push-to-open upper cabinetry doors, flush GPOs that have been color-matched, and soft-close systems.

Hidden away from the main kitchen and living space is the butler’s pantry, with its own double sink and mixer, dishwasher, and plenty of additional storage in upper cabinets, drawers and open shelving. For entertainers, this hidden but easily accessible design is a joy-send.