The BREIF… This beautifully designed Mirvac home located in the prestigious dress circle loop at Cutters Landing, offered all the potential for a luxury lifestyle when owners Glen and Dianna Wallace moved up from Newcastle to purchase it. Approximately 10 years old, the modern architectural style home is only a few steps away from New Farm Park and minutes from inner city Brisbane. With all principle living and entertaining spaces on the lower level , the only thing that stood between them and the modern urban lifestyle they so highly sought after was the small, dated and original kitchen. The brief from the client was very clear: to create an open-plan kitchen that centred on bringing people together by creating a space where the clients could cook, eat, entertain and share life. The desire was for the kitchen to be the visual centre piece for the living space. Central to the brief was the clients love for not only cooking but entertaining, which for these clients went hand in hand. The overall feel of the space needed to be welcoming and inviting and it was essential that the layout encouraged comfortable interaction, maximised usability and had great flow (allowing a few people to work in the space simultaneously). The DESIGN… To pave the way for the larger scale, open-plan kitchen highly sought after by the clients a dividing wall that separated the original living area and a poorly positioned guest room located at the rear of the property was brought down. The opportunity arose after the clients agreed to include a guest room on the second story of the home as part of a ‘stage two’ renovation. Being a small lot block the house was long and narrow which did present certain proportion and layout challenges. A new galley style design was chosen as it made best use of the space and integrated perfectly with the adjoining living room and outdoor alfresco entertaining area by providing direct physical and visual access. At the heart of the galley design is the large 6.5m island feature which provides a solid foundation on which the rest of the room comes to life. An important element of the design brief was ensuring the cook/host felt involved in the action while tending to the cuisine when entertaining. The inclusion of the large island creates the perfect balance for engagement and corrugation. Acting as the activity hub of the kitchen, the island serves dual purposes of preparation, cooking and casual seating for family and guests as well as providing additional serving space, particularly when entertaining guests. Being such a large kitchen and given the sheer size of the island bench, it was important to consider not only the functional elements of the space by ensuring zones were clearly defined but it was also important to ensure that the space possessed loads of visual dimension and impact. Through the juxtaposition of parallel and perpendicular forms we create a pleasing and interesting aesthetic. This lineal theme combined with the strategic placement of multiple finishes creates the depth that is required in a kitchen of this length. The defined cooking zone located at the northern end of the kitchen ensures that the chef is always facing and engaging with guests. All horizontal surfaces are polished ‘Jet Black’ granite and when combined with the raw and textured edges of the ‘Black Denim’ granite create a look of an uncut slab of stone. The Schweigen Cassette rangehood is housed in a suspended bulkhead and a black acrylic under panel was selected to complement and mirror the black gloss granite benchtop below. A cantilevered polished concrete benchtop emits a sense of space in the room and provides the perfect transition from the granite benchtop in the cooktop area into the casual dining area. Creating a layered and industrial feel to an otherwise sophisticated modern space and in keeping with the overall theme of the design the concrete has been formed to run the length of the suspended overhang then returning to run along the floor (acting as a base to which the cooktop cabinetry sits on). A custom made metal frame was concealed into the concrete benchtop to carry and support the overhang. Even the gorgeous Italian Pedrail stools were carefully selected to suit the theme of the kitchen and in a dinner like configuration the island pleasantly seats 8 – 9 guests. A fully functional ‘working wall’ of cabinets provides the perfect storage solution in this galley kitchen. Pantry storage plays a major role with a variety of pull out inner drawers. A number of high end Miele, Gaggenau and Liebherr appliances have been integrated into the wall enhancing the sophisticated look whilst also providing all the functional requirements of the clients demanding cooking style and entertainment requirements. To make the heights of the Coffee machine, combi steam and oven align, a custom stainless steel utility drawer was designed for under coffee machine and a Miele warming drawer utilised under the combi steam. The effect of this is a seamless look, as if the utility drawer is part of the appliances themselves. Well considered functional details add practicality to the room such as the appliance cupboard where a servo drive lift mechanism cleverly conceal a pull out stainless steel bench top. The cupboard serves dual purposes keeping everyday appliances such as the toaster and kettle hidden from view, yet easily accessible whilst also providing another work center for the client. The textured veneer on the working wall contrasts perfectly with the gloss lacquered cabinetry and has been carefully placed to follow the same lineal lines as the concrete island feature. This theme has again been carried across to the unique ‘Ala’ angular feature light that was selected and imported from Italy as well as the custom-made timber screen in the stairwell which was also designed with the overall theme in mind. The overall transformation shows what is possible when adaptive design techniques focus on the possibilities within an entire space and not an existing room. The design reflects the ultimate entertainer’s kitchen, clever utilization of space through innovative and multi-functional structural elements creating an engaging yet free flowing kitchen. A unique approach to the application of materials, colours and textures result in a space that is efficient, attractive and above all else perfectly suited to the client’s needs. The clients not only have a light-filled space that reflects their urban inner city lifestyle, but they now have all the inspiration they need to gather their family and friends to cook, eat, entertain and share life in ultimate style.

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