Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 32 No 2 New Zealand | Page 40

With family in mind
This kitchen by prominent designer Colleen Holder responds to the needs
of family and guests – with help from stand-out Smeg appliances
These pages: Open, breezy and
welcoming, this kitchen designed
by Colleen Holder and built by
McGregor Kitchens contrasts classic
elements such as the subway tile,
butler sink and plate rack with
gleaming stainless steel appliances
from Smeg. The design integrates
with the wider space – for example,
the adjacent window seat matches
the kitchen cabinetry and includes
additional storage drawers.

When the client’s brief asks for a traditional
kitchen, there are two ways to approach the
inclusion of the modern, high-tech appliances –
one is to integrate them into the cabinetry; the
other is make them stand-out design features.
This kitchen by designer Colleen Holder
forms part of a spacious new seaside home.
The client’s brief was for the kitchen to be
classic yet balanced and for it to act as the hub
for the open-plan living spaces, Holder says.
“It had to be a versatile space – one where
the family could gather, or the chef could prep
a meal without clutter, or where someone could

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read a book at the window seat,” says Holder.
“In response, we designed the new kitchen
predominantly in black and white, with granite on the island and perimeter benchtops and
black feature lighting over the island.”
Elements such as the butler sink, plate rack,
subway tile splashback and colonial glass doors
help create the traditional accent requested.
“The pantry is home for baking equipment
and a microwave, together with a second sink –
helping keep the main kitchen looking its best,”
Holder says. “And the stainless steel appliances
were placed close to benchtops for ease of use.”