Natural connection

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Emma Morris, Eternodesign

Photography by: Anna Mcleod Photographer

The setting

Originally designed by MAP Architects and built circa 2005, this architecturally modern four-bedroom home project began as a focussed redesign of the kitchen, scullery, and laundry, which soon evolved into a full-scale transformation inside and out.

The new owners sought a timeless, luxurious retreat – an entertainers’ haven that seamlessly connected every interior and exterior zone.

The design brief, started with ‘bring the outside in’, which guided the entire renovation.

Nestled within a beautifully articulated landscape, the home now celebrates effortless indoor–outdoor living.

Natural materials, warm textures, and layered finishes echo the surrounding environment, while thoughtful spatial planning enhances flow and functionality across all levels.

Warm wood tones predominate in the kitchen and adjacent dining area with rectangular dining table. — Warm wood tones predominate in the kitchen and adjacent dining area.

Sandstone steps lead to a grand entrance framed by an oversized pivot door clad in vertical timber slats.

The light walnut- stained oak floors set the tone for the sophisticated palette beyond.

Relocating the laundry and removing internal walls allowed for a generous scullery and better visual connection between the kitchen, dining, and outdoor living areas – all key to the owner’s desire for all-season entertaining.

The kitchen

The double-island kitchen became the heart of the home, where we re-orientated the kitchen and added another island for ample bench space, incorporating our owners’ key wish list, meticulously tailored for both performance and visual harmony.

We wanted to create a more seamless connection with views to the pool along with the entry from the hallway.

The kitchen features walnut-stained oak veneer, integrated Liebherr appliances and wine fridges – the fully integrated appliances contributing to a seamless flow.

Blum touch-to-open Revego pocket doors, and concealed coffee and wine stations combine practicality with refinement.

The wood veneer cabinetry's nternally lit shelving adds to the refined feel. — Internally lit shelving adds to the refined feel.

Velnu stone benchtops with seamless mitred detailing bring cohesion and sophistication, while brass pendant lights anchor the dining space without obstructing the view toward the Escea fireplace – wrapped in Marmorio large-format stone.

The adjoining scullery continues the material palette with square neutral tiles, snow benchtops, and servo-drive wall units.

We wanted to create a lighter tone in this area with ample bench space and maximum tall pantry storage incorporating the Blum space tower and internal shelving.

Texture, tone, and detail remain consistent throughout – a layering that ensures depth and unity from kitchen to lounge.

Our owners’ request was to incorporate an entertainers haven that catered for all seasons of entertaining and flowed seamlessly between the scullery, main kitchen, dining and living areas as well as flowing through to the outdoor pool and barbecue/patio – while still keeping within the strong architectural elements.

The front-of-house stone-clad island has a sculptural presence all of its own.

We achieved this by redesigning and locating the laundry into where the storage/coat area had been originally.

Plus, we removed small internal dividing walls to open up the old laundry, thus transforming this area into a highly functional scullery/second kitchen prep area with ample storage.

There were a multitude of challenges along the way from challenging ducting for powerpack ventilation, relocating plumbing and electrical work in challenging areas through to concealing upgraded Hvac sytems and grills.

As part of the new design, a bespoke buffet and drinks area, paired with a mirror backsplash, amplifies natural light and views.

The lighting design enhances mood and form, integrating functional illumination with ambient warmth across the gallery and main living spaces – curated to enhance each space with subtle drama and warmth.

The dining table pendants and hallway art lights add sculptural detail, while discreet ceiling speakers and integrated LED strips provide seamless functionality.

The result is a soft interplay of light and shadow, accentuating materiality and craftsmanship.

Natural wood floors provide the ideal complement to the upmarket kitchen.

Throughout the home, continuity is achieved through the bespoke vertical slatted wall panelling that conceals doors to the powder room, scullery, laundry, and media room – maintaining clean lines and a minimalist flow.

When closed, these hidden elements appear as uninterrupted architectural features, adding intrigue and sophistication.

The renovation extended beyond the walls, and includes a poolside fully integrated barbecue and outdoor kitchen.

Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com

Credit List

Designer Emma Morris, Eternodesign; co-designer – Nikita Smith (technical drawings)	Cabinetry American Oak Timber Veneer, designer bespoke stain colour, horizontal grain; matt lacquer texture coat in scullery
Cabinetry hardware Blum Legrabox	Benchtops Dekton Mamorio, from Cosentino
Splashback Coffee nook – Dekton Marmorio; kitchen/ buffet area – Bronzed Glass splashback; scullery splashback – square ceramic tile	Kitchen and scullery sinks Archant linen-texture sink with brushed brass finish
Taps Franke – Brushed Brass, with pull-out sprayer	Oven/cooktop/dishwasher Miele – Kouzina
Ventilation Award – silent power pack; black steel powerpack	Refrigeration Liehberr, fully Integrated
Wine fridge Liebherr	Flooring Solid oak, from Forte Flooring
Lighting Pendant, accent lighting new fittings, recessed lights and island tube lights all from ECC Lighting; Solis range switchgear and matt white touch switches, from Scheider Electrical	Awards Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended