Kitchen makeover: sleek entertainer

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Sleek, modern lines and clutter-free surfaces make this kitchen the perfect focal point for hosting dinner parties.

The owners of this stunning contemporary kitchen spent several years running a boutique lodge in Queenstown, New Zealand. So when they moved to warmer climes and decided to remodel the kitchen of their new home, they brought with them not only a wealth of knowledge in kitchen functionality but also a definite preference for alpine colour schemes. “We decided on the textured stainless steel benchtops and the colour of the cupboard doors in 15 minutes flat,” says Catherine Byrne of Kitchen Design Services. “The owners had learned from previous experiences to trust what they liked and stick with it.”

Before

The previous kitchen was only seven years old. “There was nothing wrong with it,” says one of the owners. “It just wasn’t us.” It was dismantled, sold and re-installed in another home.

Kitchen whiz

Because the owners are passionate about entertaining and the kitchen adjoins the dining room, it needed to look great in addition to being a practical and efficient workspace. Stainless steel appliances were once only found in restaurants and industrial kitchens, but have been a growing trend in private homes for several years. They go with everything from traditional to modern decor.

A checked stainless-steel benchtop continues the theme. As well as looking stylish, it’s able to withstand hot pans and can be used as a chopping surface. Plus it’s easy to clean and doesn’t show marks as much as untextured stainless steel. The granite island looks as good as marble but is likewise a more resilient material. However, the owners’ favourite feature is the butler’s pantry. “It means I can make as much mess as I like in there preparing the meal and just close the doors when the guests arrive,” says one. “It’s also a good place to stack dishes until it’s time to load the dishwasher the next morning.”

“The previous kitchen wasn’t very conducive to entertaining. But the new design and layout is very user-friendly for both hosts and guests.”

Words: Kieren Charteris. Photography: Andrew Lehmann. Styling: Lisa Matson. Kitchen designer: Catherine Byrne.