Plan it: kitchens and bathrooms

This simple black and white colour scheme is bold and timeless, and allows accessories to stand out

Kitchens and bathrooms

Finishing school

Creating a kitchen that looks beautiful, works well and won’t date is all in the details

Building a new kitchen involves so many decisions – butler’s pantry versus walk-in, gas versus induction, location of the sink – that it can be exhausting. While practical questions of layout and workability are paramount, it’s important to also choose the right finishes – with so much time spent in the kitchen, you need to pin down a look you’ll love for the long haul. Interior designer Charlotte Minty (charlotteminty.co.nz) points out that, as most contemporary kitchens are typically open plan, they need to create flow and consistency with existing dining and living spaces. “Key to the right finish is that perfect marriage between form and function,” says Charlotte. 

Kaboodle ‘Alpine’ profile cabinetry in Macaroon and Bluepea, cup handles and mushroom knobs in Brushed Nickel, benchtop in Biancoccino In the mood Bringing the looks you love together is one of the most exciting and creative parts of a renovation, says Briony Mikrou, marketing communications manager at Kaboodle Kitchen. “Collate inspiration, whether it be images, textures or materials, and then place them onto a visual moodboard,” she says. “This will give you a clear vision of your style and colour and will help to determine the direction, look and feel.”

Browse Instagram and Pinterest, and take photos of whole rooms or elements that speak to you. Kaboodle’s 3D design software can help to visualise different configurations and colour or style options. It can also create a quick design and quote based on your style preferences and room shape.

“A moodboard of a kitchen might include samples of laminate for cabinetry, stone benchtop, splashback tiles or glass, flooring, paint colour and a window covering sample,” says Dulux colour and communications manager Davina Harper. Put all your physical samples together in real life and in good light, so you can see how the colours and textures match – or don’t!

Starting points Flooring is a good place to begin in order to create a base palette, bearing in mind this needs to be in keeping with the rest of the house.

Cabinet doors are next on the list. Charlotte Minty says, as these bear the brunt of physical treatment in a kitchen – “Every day they are opened and closed, sometimes roughly, while constantly getting bumped, splashed and splattered!” – choosing them is an important decision and one worth getting right. “Advances in design and technology allow for greater options for new kitchen doors for all budgets,” she says. “If the kitchen is a high-use space then a durable surface like a high-resistance thermoformed surface on the doors may add the best value.”

Considering those surfaces that have a limited choice of colours, such as benchtops, early in the process is also a good general rule. “There are many more options in paint colours than any other materials,” says Davina. “So the paint colour selection should come at the end of your fixtures and fittings selection.”

Left: Kaboodle 27mm mushroom knobs in Matt Black, $5.62 each, I/N: 2667730†, and 64mm cup handles in Matt Black, $7.50 each, I/N: 2667728. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Dulux Woods Creek Plan it

Colour choice Natural colours – both light and dark – are very much on trend for kitchens. “We have gone through the past decade of darker benches, but now you tend to see lighter to mid-tone benchtops,” says Davina. “Cabinets tend to be different shades of white or neutral as well as block colours in subtle blue or green (Hamptons style) or darker blues, greens or charcoals for a more dramatic look.”

Don’t be afraid of darker hues, says Charlotte. “If you are hesitant, try limiting it to walls or an island unit in contrast with lighter cabinets or even appliances,” she says. “Darker shades applied as an accent rather than a base colour can also work. These can be used for floating shelves, bar stools, or pendant lights.” To lower the intensity of a dark kitchen she suggests introducing pale woods, light-coloured stone or splashes of white. “Contrasting dark with light offers a very compelling visual impact.” 

EXPERT TIP

While matte cabinetry is on trend, it can make a kitchen look dark. If you have limited natural light, a gloss finish will help the light to bounce around the space

The case for white Classic white kitchens stand the test of time for good reason, says Charlotte. “For a smaller kitchen, white provides the illusion of space. In a larger one, a predominantly white kitchen will only serve to make the space feel more open and inviting.”

A white kitchen can easily be enlivened by bolder coloured accessories or appliances, or with interesting taps or hardware. “European-inspired handles and knobs in stylish finishes are being used to introduce colour contrast and materiality into the kitchen, from various shades of gold to matte black and brushed nickel,” says Briony. The practicalities Here are our top tips for designing a kitchen that’s both good-looking and hardworking.  When planning your kitchen, start with your appliances, as the size of these will need to be accommodated efficiently.  You can save on electrical and plumbing costs by keeping the key items, such as the stove and sink, in the same place as the existing kitchen, but don’t compromise on usability just to save a few dollars.

You need the kitchen to work well.  A functional floor plan should be designed around the working triangle – this is the distance between your sink, cooktop and fridge. “The most effective workspaces allow 1200mm between each of these stations,” explains Briony.  A galley-style kitchen with counters on either side of a narrow walkway, or a single-line kitchen with an island, are both space-efficient layouts. They’re ideal for small spaces, with no difficult corners to deal with.

Read it!

Find out the benefits of a flatpack kitchen: bunnings.co.nz/why- you-should-buy-a-flatpack-kitchen

Dulux Katiki

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Food for thought

Choose stylish fixtures, fittings and materials to create an inspirational kitchen

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1 Everdure WELS 4.5-star 60cm stainless steel dishwasher, $548, I/N: 0055836. 2 Mondella ‘Maestro’ WELS 4-star 7.5L/min lever handle sink mixer in Chrome, $179, I/N: 0045726. 3 Verve Design ‘Seaton’ pendant shade, $139, I/N: 0033028. 4 Brilliant ‘Moana’ 30cm bamboo plug-in DIY pendant light in Natural, $78.90, I/N: 0195407. 5 Kaboodle 2000mm x 900mm benchtop in Squid Ink and cutting service, $617.85, I/N: 2666371†. 6 Mondella ‘Resonance’ single bowl round sink with tap landing, $139, I/N: 5090595. 7 Dorf ‘Vixen’ WELS 4-star, 7.5L/min sink mixer in White, $333, I/N: 0316315†. 8 Blanco 60cm wall canopy rangehood, $499, I/N: 0290457. 9 Kaboodle ‘Salento’ 192mm kitchen handle in Matte Black, $13.48, I/N: 0175898†. 10 Kaboodle ‘Salento’ 192mm kitchen handle in Worn Gold, $13.48, I/N: 0175899†. 11 Kaboodle ‘Bolivar’ 160mm kitchen handle in Matte Black, $6.48, I/N: 0175913†. 12 Noir ‘860’ 1-bowl 1 drainer granite composite sink in Black, $378, I/N: 0298397. 13 Project 450mm x 180mm stainless steel round sink insert, $138, I/N: 0208578. 14 Bellessi 650mm x 595mm x 5mm glass subway tile splashback, $446, I/N: 0024438†. 15 Picassi ‘Perta 175s’ 1.75 bowl stainless steel sink with drainer, $274, I/N: 0203229†. 16 Kaboodle ‘Modern’ 450mm cabinet door in Spiced Oak, $135.94, I/N: 2667082†. 17 Kaboodle ‘Modern’ 400mm cabinet door in Black Olive, $103.64, I/N: 2669204†. 18 Kaboodle ‘Cabo’ kitchen handle knob in Brushed Amber Gold, $8.15, I/N: 0175936†. 19 Kaboodle ‘Mushroom’ 27mm knob in Matt Black, $5.62, I/N: 2667730†. 20 Project Sink 300mm x 155mm stainless steel colander, $45, I/N: 0263156†. 21 Stefani tap in Matte Black, $39.99, I/N: 0098506 (suits 1/4"/6.35mm filtration systems). 22 Mondella ‘Resonance’ WELS 4-star, 7.5L/min, pin lever sink mixer in Black, $169, I/N: 0045718 (suitable for unequal/mains pressure). Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. ◆