Black + White Contemporary Kitchen

March 2019, By Natalie Nesbitt.
Photography by Dylan Lark, Aspect 11.

We were lucky enough to have our Allan Street kitchen project featured in the Autumn 2019 edition of Adore Home Magazine. Our designer Saskia had a chat to Loni, the editor of Adore Home all about the creation of this contemporary family space and her tips for creating a functional black + white kitchen.

  1. Can you tell us about the material selections used in this kitchen.

    We were tasked with designing a functional, durable and contemporary kitchen for this family home in Aberfeldie, Melbourne. We kept the colour palette neutral but made a statement by contrasting black and white surfaces and combining lots of textures. The space in it’s entirety is so vast which is why it was so important for us to soften the harsh monochromatic palette against the polished concrete floor. We used Polytec Ravine laminate in Black Wenge for the majority of the joinery which was mirrored in the living room. It was important for our clients to be able to shut off the scullery, particularly when entertaining so using the same laminate for the door allows for the seamless break.
    Ceasarstone is always a safe bet when it comes to durability and combining the night sky and Calcutta allows for the back to disappear and highlight the island bench, arguably the heart of every kitchen.
    We were so lucky to be able to incorporate the entire Rombini tile collection designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Mutina. The scullery splash back showcases the Carre in light green, the Losange white used behind the cooktop and our favourite, the white triangle under the island bench.

  2. Why do you think black and white kitchens are so popular at the moment?

    When designing a kitchen, it’s important that you choose a palette that won’t date. Black and white is a classic combination that will always remain stylish.

  3. What are your tips for styling a contemporary kitchen like this one?

    Keep it simple. A kitchen with beautiful tactile finishes such as this only needs a few simple styling touches to complete the look. Adding natural elements through plants and timber accessories really help to warm up a contemporary space. Finally, select high quality furniture that will stand the test of time with your kitchen. Spending a little extra on quality furniture pieces is well worth the investment.

  4. We love the textured timber profile on the kitchen island – can you tell us where this was sourced and why it was chosen for this space?

    This amazing finish is actually tiled! Sourced from Urban Edge ceramics in Richmond, Victoria. They are ‘Triangle’ tiles from the Rombini collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Mutina. We chose these 3D tiles for the unique corrugated texture they bring to the space, transforming shadows as the sun moves throughout the day. The under face of an island bench is so often overlooked which is why we wanted to add that little element of luxury, its a unexpected surprise and always fun to play with movement and shadow.

  5. Is there anything else you’d like to add about this kitchen?

    We had so much fun working on this kitchen with the best cabinet maker – Mark Gauci from Complete Interior Design in Melbourne and truely dreamy clients who trusted us to play with a variety of materials and textures.