Kitchen makeover: sleek and streamlined

With one owner working as a food stylist, it's hardly surprising the goal for this makeover was a highly efficient cooking space that would rival a professional kitchen. Another consideration was the dining space, which is part of the kitchen and living area in an open-plan design. It is also the first area people see from the front door. "It was important for the space to have a sense of lifestyle about it," explains one of the owners.

Before
Small and pokey with minimal storage and bench space, cheap finishes and haphazard design, this kitchen was the epitome of unworkable. "It was old, difficult to use and needed a complete overhaul," says one of the owners.

Open house
As the dining area is part of the kitchen and flows through to the lounge, it was important the area felt less like a kitchen and more like a living space. The pull-out pantry is a clever alternative to a cupboard and makes it easy to access ingredients, even if guests are seated. "It was Mum's idea," says one of the owners.

"Years of her not being able to find anything in the back of the cupboard inspired this addition." A bold artwork and designer furniture were used to create a stylishly defined dining area. "When you're sitting in the lounge, you see the dining table and painting and don't sense it's a kitchen. It just looks like a clean living space."

Hide and sleek
The owners wanted a sleek, streamlined kitchen for a more professional look as well as a 'cleaner', less distracting view from other rooms. For this reason, they didn't want a freestanding fridge, so they opted for the Fisher & Paykel Tasman model, which could be incorporated into the cabinetry for the ultimate in "unfussy and uncomplicated" design.

Being keen foodies, they also chose the fridge for its Active Smart technology, which continuously adjusts the flow of cold air to make sure it's always at the best temperature to keep food as fresh as possible. For more information on Fisher & Paykel products, click here.

The stone age
The benchtops are made from Essa Stone - a beautiful, hardy material made from about 95 per cent natural quartz. Not only is it scratch, stain and heat resistant, it doesn't need sealing or special cleaning products, making it easy to maintain. The owners chose the 'crystal salt' colour and a 40mm width for a "chunkier" feel and are thrilled with the result, saying: "It's so easy to clean and always looks fresh."

Photography: Scott Hawkins. Styling: David Morgan