Kitchen Tour: A Characterful Scheme for Two Keen Cooks
A new layout, a touch of blue and practical inclusions combine to create an inviting space for cooking and entertaining
In a Q&A format, we talk to designer Frances Fraser of Honour Creative about the vision for this light, airy, yet practical kitchen.
What was your brief?
- To renovate the owners’ existing kitchen and create a design that was a pleasure to cook in, easy to maintain and contained ample storage.
- A layout that catered for everyday cooking and baking, which could extend to hosting up to 20 people and accommodate two or three people working in the kitchen at one time.
- The kitchen needed to connect to the adjoining open-plan dining area, the nearby living room, and a soon-to-be-accessible garden and deck.
- A design that was sympathetic to the traditional and homely style of the house, using materials that were consistent with the rest of the interior.
- To use colour to add interest, but in a tone that didn’t dominate the open-plan space.
- A light and airy feel.
- New flooring.
The floorplan after works.
What didn’t the owners like about the previous kitchen?
As often happens, fixing one small thing leads to tackling something much bigger. In this case, a broken oven instigated a wider kitchen upgrade and a new timber floor.
The previous layout had only one entry point, which inhibited access to the dining table. With new French windows to a pretty, sun-drenched patio to be added in the dining area, the benefits of opening up the space became even greater.
Inspired to redesign your own kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz.
What didn’t the owners like about the previous kitchen?
As often happens, fixing one small thing leads to tackling something much bigger. In this case, a broken oven instigated a wider kitchen upgrade and a new timber floor.
The previous layout had only one entry point, which inhibited access to the dining table. With new French windows to a pretty, sun-drenched patio to be added in the dining area, the benefits of opening up the space became even greater.
Inspired to redesign your own kitchen? Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz.
What was your starting point for the new design?
When it came to the aesthetics, I drew inspiration from the character of the home, some of the client’s treasured art pieces and the words they used to describe the feeling they wanted – “warm”, “homely” and “welcoming”.
From there, I gathered some kitchen-inspiration images. I reviewed these with the couple to narrow down the direction. I’ve often found that once presented with a thoughtful collection of images, it’s easier for people to describe what they want.
When it came to the aesthetics, I drew inspiration from the character of the home, some of the client’s treasured art pieces and the words they used to describe the feeling they wanted – “warm”, “homely” and “welcoming”.
From there, I gathered some kitchen-inspiration images. I reviewed these with the couple to narrow down the direction. I’ve often found that once presented with a thoughtful collection of images, it’s easier for people to describe what they want.
What challenges did you have to work around?
A new layout was challenging, as there wasn’t a great deal of wall space and a pantry, fridge-freezer and extractor above the hob all needed wall space.
The previous layout had the fridge-freezer in the middle of the room and we wanted to move it so it would be more open and accessible, and have a lighter presence.
There was also a corner created by the building structure that couldn’t be used.
A new layout was challenging, as there wasn’t a great deal of wall space and a pantry, fridge-freezer and extractor above the hob all needed wall space.
The previous layout had the fridge-freezer in the middle of the room and we wanted to move it so it would be more open and accessible, and have a lighter presence.
There was also a corner created by the building structure that couldn’t be used.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
The new layout would allow easier access from multiple adjoining spaces, as opposed to the enclosed former layout with only one entry point. This was of additional value as new French windows to an outdoor patio were being added as part of a bigger renovation on the home.
The other key layout goal was to locate all the tall elements against a wall, so we could make the space lighter and brighter.
The new layout would allow easier access from multiple adjoining spaces, as opposed to the enclosed former layout with only one entry point. This was of additional value as new French windows to an outdoor patio were being added as part of a bigger renovation on the home.
The other key layout goal was to locate all the tall elements against a wall, so we could make the space lighter and brighter.
What look and feel did you want to create?
The owners are drawn to the homely, welcoming nature of a traditional kitchen, but they also wanted this space to feel fresh and light.
We aimed to introduce traditional details but streamline them to keep the space uncomplicated and so it worked with contemporary features, such as the pendant lights over the island.
You might also enjoy What Will Kitchens Look Like in 2022?
The owners are drawn to the homely, welcoming nature of a traditional kitchen, but they also wanted this space to feel fresh and light.
We aimed to introduce traditional details but streamline them to keep the space uncomplicated and so it worked with contemporary features, such as the pendant lights over the island.
You might also enjoy What Will Kitchens Look Like in 2022?
Why did you choose the blue-green for the joinery?
It adds presence and personality to the kitchen. Plus, it’s a colour the homeowners like, it fits with the rest of the house, and it connects with the stunning harbour views visible from the kitchen-diner windows.
The colour palette was drawn from artworks and also connects nicely with Portmeirion ceramics, which are a favourite of the clients.
It adds presence and personality to the kitchen. Plus, it’s a colour the homeowners like, it fits with the rest of the house, and it connects with the stunning harbour views visible from the kitchen-diner windows.
The colour palette was drawn from artworks and also connects nicely with Portmeirion ceramics, which are a favourite of the clients.
Key design aspects
Colour palette:
Colour palette:
- Blue-green paint finish to the joinery.
- Mid-tone timber flooring and bar top.
- White tiles.
- Matt black hardware and tap.
Materials palette:
- James Henry matai tongue-and-groove flooring, sourced from recycled materials.
- Ikon sink.
- Robertson Bathware Uno gooseneck sink mixer.
- Caesarstone Alpine Mist worktops.
- Tile Space Metro White Gloss tiles for the splashback.
- Blum Blumotion Tandembox hardware.
- Archant Slim matt black handles.
- Archant Autumn matt black knobs.
- Lightplan custom-made pendants (shade made by Joug Design).
Paint colours:
- White joinery in Dulux Okarito.
- Blue joinery in Dulux Bay’s Water.
- Walls in Resene Rice Cake.
Why did you choose black hardware?
We felt the handle accents would give a contemporary edge to the kitchen’s traditional style. They also connect with the black in the original leaded windows in the adjoining living area.
We felt the handle accents would give a contemporary edge to the kitchen’s traditional style. They also connect with the black in the original leaded windows in the adjoining living area.
Why do you think this kitchen works?
The owners love using it. The new layout allows much better flow and usability, and is a major improvement aesthetically.
In the client’s words; “We love it. The kitchen is really ergonomic and easy to work in, and it looks fabulous. We have both form and function. What more could we want?”
Tell us…
What do you like most about this reworked kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The owners love using it. The new layout allows much better flow and usability, and is a major improvement aesthetically.
In the client’s words; “We love it. The kitchen is really ergonomic and easy to work in, and it looks fabulous. We have both form and function. What more could we want?”
Tell us…
What do you like most about this reworked kitchen? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple and the youngest of their three older sons
Location Wellington, New Zealand
Kitchen-diner dimensions 30 sq m (dining area not shown)
Designer Frances Fraser of Honour Creative
Kitchen joinery Wellington Kitchen and Bathroom
Plumbing Hydrospec Plumbing
Questions answered by Frances Fraser, interior designer and director at Honour Creative
Photos by Bonny Beattie