A cook's kitchen

What is the hardest working room in the house? It’s the kitchen, of course, but this one belonging to a foodie and professional caterer has to do more than most. From a place to test recipes and cook for events, to a busy family kitchen, it’s a very versatile space.

Before

With old cupboards and tired finishes, the previous kitchen was definitely past its use-by date. The original fit-out was only ever suitable for domestic use, so it needed to be pulled out and an extensive redesign of the space was required to bring it up to a professional standard. As the owner works from home, the new kitchen had to be installed before she and her family could even move in.

Planning a kitchen

• Make sure everything is in the right spot so you can work as efficiently as possible. For example, glasses and dinnerware are stored in cupboards facing the dining table, pots and pans are next to the cooker while recipe books are in easy-to-reach cupboards.


• Don’t skimp on lighting as it can change the room’s mood at the flick of a switch. Notice how well-lit the cupboards above the benchtops are in this kitchen.

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• Talk to several kitchen designers before making a decision and try to visit one of their latest projects.


• Be inventive: the owner writes notes on the glass splashbacks in felt-tipped pen, which can be wiped clean.

“The most important thing for me was to find a design company that could meet all my requirements and think outside the square as my kitchen has to double as a workplace as well as a family home with my two constantly hungry sons. Designer Chris Jones from Wholesale Kitchens even went through all my cupboards and made a list of all my pots and pans to make sure there was a place for everything.”

Double act

This open-plan design links the dining and preparation zones of the kitchen, an important part of modern living and essential for this busy family. To the left, bi-fold doors open out on to a terrace with a barbecue.

Photography: Andrew Lehmann. Words: Victoria Carey. Styling: Jo Carmichael.