How to: Create a timeless yet unique kitchen

Given the significant cost of a new kitchen, whether you’re renovating or in the process of building, it’s an important space to get right. And with Jen’s recent move, it’s something she is currently pondering which got us thinking – how do you create a timeless kitchen that is still unique?

Timber
While we admit that it’s on-trend at the minute, timber is a timeless material that never goes out of style and it’s a fabulous way of injecting some warmth into what can often be a clinical space. “Introducing a balanced element of timber into the kitchen will help to connect it to the whole home, keying in with other timber elements often found in windows, floors and furniture,” says the director of Cantilever Interiors, Travis Dean.

Island benchtop
Increasingly considered highly valuable real estate within the home, the kitchen island benchtop serves myriad functions in modern, open-plan homes. From a space to read or prepare food, complete homework or even eat a meal, the kitchen island is a true multi-tasker. “The island benchtop has become an increasingly valuable element of a kitchen’s design, with the cooktop and sink positioned to the perimeter walls instead. This relieves the island benchtop to accommodate the variety of activities that takes place in an open plan kitchen these days,” says Travis.

Integrated appliances
“It is becoming increasingly popular to integrate appliances and workstations into the design of a kitchen to create a sense of flow and cohesion. It’s important to ensure that appliances such as fridges and microwaves don’t dominate the aesthetic of your kitchen and make your kitchen look cluttered and busy,” says Travis. Be wary of aftermarket ‘integration kits’ though, as while they are a cheaper alternative they can cost you in the long run. “When selecting appliances remember to choose ones that are specifically designed for integration – aftermarket options don’t last as long and put stress on the joinery hinges and may damage your kitchen,” says Travis.

Go green
In what is no surprise to us, given our penchant for indoor plants, Travis is a big fan of greenery in the kitchen. “Beautiful floral arrangements, large leafy greens and plants will bring life to your kitchen space and is a great way to bring the outdoors inside and add an organic touch to your kitchen,” says Travis.

Open display shelves
Something of a Cantilever Interiors hallmark, we’re big fans of open display shelves too as they really allow your personality to shine in what can be a bland, utilitarian space. “Shadow boxes, open display shelves, are a simple design element that allow you to express your own personal style. They can also add a touch of warmth and contrast to a kitchen through placement of interchangeable potted herbs, utensils, ornaments, crockery or cookbooks for a pop of colour,” says Travis.

Light and airflow
Light and airflow obviously never go out of favour and making sure your kitchen ticks these two boxes will ensure its longevity. “Light and airflow are design elements that increase the liveability of a kitchen. If your kitchen shares a perimeter wall of your home, it’s a good idea to take advantage of this position and try to incorporate windows into your design. Louvre windows increase airflow, and can be incorporated into window splashback designs to great effect,” says Travis.

What’s inside counts
“Sometimes the wow factor with a kitchen comes when you open the cupboard door! Integrated hardware options increase the functionality of cabinetry by pulling shelving toward you, so your things don’t get lost in the back of a cupboard, or providing storage solutions for specific functions, like storing cleaning products and equipment,” says Travis. In addition, a user-friendly, considered kitchen will never date.

The splashback
Given it’s such prominent part of a kitchen’s design, it pays to really consider your kitchen splashback choice. From concrete encaustic tiles to classic subways or stone, there are plenty of options that won’t look tired in two years’ time. “Splashbacks are an integral part of a kitchen design and due to their volume and visibility, can really shift the overall impact.  There are a huge variety of options for splashbacks including tiles, glass, and stone and they are a great way to introduce colour and texture,” says Travis.

Colour
“If you are keen to introduce colour into your kitchen cabinetry, we recommend doing so in blocks of colour.  Similar to the balance found when combining a timber veneer block with a white cabinetry block, 2-pack paint finishes (which can match most interior paint colours) work well with timber veneer when in a block-grouping of cabinetry.  Alternately, painting the walls of your kitchen a colour you love will capture the mood of the space you are trying to create, and can be easily changed in years to come,” says Travis.

Photography: Martina Gemmola | Styling: Ruth Welsby

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