Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 31 No 2 New Zealand | Page 77

Chef’s
eyrie
Light and open, this kitchen
connects with its natural
setting in several ways
One of the most important features of a
new kitchen is its placement in the home – both
in terms of its relationship to the living areas
and the exterior outlooks.
Set on an outer corner of a home that hugs a
steep hillside, this kitchen is in an ideal position
to enjoy views across the valley and bay. The
house, by Eric Haesloop and Mary Griffin with
interiors by Margaret Turnbull, optimises
connections to the setting at every angle. This
includes picture windows and sliding doors
that open to a spacious wooden deck.
There are attractive vistas to the rear of the
kitchen, too, says Haesloop.
“A diagonal sightline from the breakfast
table through the kitchen takes in the pool, and
clerestory windows allow glimpses of the hill
behind. This is an immersive kitchen space –
standing at the island, you feel you’re part of
the wider environment.”
Appropriate to its natural setting, the house
has an eco-friendly makeup, with recycled elm
featuring on the floor and walls. This species is
continued as a veneer on the kitchen cabinets,
making for a seamless flow. The benchtops and
splashback are in a similar-toned granite. A slim
profile for the two benchtops adds to the light,
airy ambience, says Haesloop.
“The owners wanted the kitchen to connect
to the adjacent open-plan living and dining
spaces, but not be on show. To achieve this, we
introduced a dividing wall of freestanding cabinets across the centre of the room. This acts as
a screen between the kitchen and dining table
without blocking the sightlines that run along
the front and rear of the interior on this level.”
Margaret Turnbull chose the round Noguchi
table to fit in the available corner space.
“This chic, slender table also has a light
feel,” she says. “And the Bocci chandelier above
it provides an eye-catching sparkle without
detracting from the panoramic outlooks.”

Left: This kitchen was designed by
Turnbull Griffin Haesloop. A wealth
of under-bench storage on the island
allowed the pair to limit the number
of overhead cabinets. This optimises
visual corridors and light penetration
across the space.
Above: A round Noguchi table
provides the perfect place to enjoy
breakfast and take in 270° degree
views out over the valley and bay.

search | save | share at trendsideas.com

73