Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 2 New Zealand | Page 58

Touching impression
This elongated kitchen brings a tactile, artistic element
to the adjacent living spaces – at the same time,
a muted palette lets it hide in plain sight
Above: Multi-hued marble tiles on
the front of the island in this kitchen
by Natalie Du Bois connect with a
textural pattern on the rear wall.
Facing page: A rectangular privacy
element on the island hides kitchen
clutter from the living spaces. The
backpainted tan glass surface is
repeated on the splashback of the
cooking niche. The white kitchen
merges with its surroundings but
stands out against the hardwood
Vitex floor.

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Material connections in a kitchen can speak
softly or state their presence boldly – and when
it comes to tactile surfaces, a simple change in
viewing angle can affect the conversation.
This kitchen, by designer Natalie Du Bois,
responds to the owners’ brief for a white work
space with a taupe benchtop. These elements set
the scene for an understated colour palette that
doesn’t overwhelm the home’s generally subtle
decor, says Du Bois.
“There are plenty of tonal connections here.
The granite frame on the privacy panel links
with the dark-stained Vitex wood flooring and

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the tan backpainted glass is repeated on the
splashback. The multi-hued marble front on the
island was chosen to pick up on these colours,
too, and the taupe work surface on the island
provides a mid-tone between the other surfaces.
Nevertheless, the predominating colour is white
and this merges with the adjacent white walls.
“One of the strongest linking elements is
texture, not colour. The marble island front is
in a raised, variegated tile that looks different
from different angles and is pleasing to the eye.
And this surface finds an echo in the textural,
grooved cabinet wall to the rear.”