DESKTOP
MOBILE
Designed by: Cate Liedtke, Catherine de Meur Interiors
Photography by: Simon Whitbread
This kitchen, forming part of a one-bedroom apartment in Darlinghurst, was conceived as a bold yet refined response to compact urban living.
The owner’s brief was clear: a complete transformation of the apartment into a highly personalised bachelor pad, one that embraced colour, curves, contrast, and a sense of sleek sophistication, while delivering increased storage and integrating high-performing appliances.
The design concept was sparked by an unexpected but defining moment during the initial briefing, when the owner presented a resin cheese knife in a soft, marshmallow pink tone.
This object became the foundation for the entire palette and material direction.
From this, a layered scheme emerged, anchored by a restrained blush-toned joinery, offset with rich burgundy accents and warm material contrasts.
Rather than allowing colour to dominate, the palette was carefully balanced to feel sophisticated, playful, and ultimately calming.
One of the key challenges was working within the constraints of the existing apartment shell.
Full internal reconfiguration benefits kitchen’s design presence
The space required a full internal reconfiguration, with significant issues including uneven flooring and inconsistent ceiling heights, compounded by multiple bulkheads.
These elements limited both spatial clarity and the perceived volume of the kitchen.
Through close collaboration with the builder, the floor was completely levelled and bulkheads were minimised, allowing the ceiling height to be visually and physically lifted.
This intervention dramatically improved the sense of openness, making the kitchen feel larger, lighter, and more resolved.
Functionality and storage were central to the success of the design.
Custom joinery makes use of every milimetre of space
Custom joinery was detailed to maximise every millimetre, incorporating integrated handles and shadowlines to maintain a clean, uninterrupted aesthetic.
Internally, cabinetry was finished in a deep Kalamata tone, echoing the burgundy accents and introducing an unexpected layer of richness and contrast.
This detail elevates the joinery beyond purely functional storage, turning it into a feature in its own right.
A key product innovation within the kitchen was the integration of an Invisacook cooktop beneath a Laminam benchtop.
Given the compact footprint and the apartment owner’s preference for a more minimal, design-led outcome, the traditional cooktop was intentionally removed as a visual feature,” says Cate Liedtke, Catherine de Meur Interiors.
Keeping benchtop visually clean
Instead, this concealed solution allows the benchtop to read as one continuous surface, enhancing the perception of space while still delivering full functionality.
It was a considered response to both the scale of the kitchen and the cowner’s lifestyle, where cooking was not the primary focus.
Materiality and detailing played a significant role throughout.
The use of farmers doors allowed the subtle grain of the timber to sit beneath the pink finish, adding depth and texture, while carefully considered junctions and transitions ensured a cohesive and highly resolved outcome.
Ultimately, this kitchen is a testament to the power of a strong conceptual narrative.
It demonstrates how a single, personal object can inspire a richly layered design that feels both expressive and refined, delivering a space that is as functional as it is memorable.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
Credit List
DesignerCate Liedtke, Catherine de Meur Interiors | CabinetryFarmers Doors / Slab Natural Oak / Zero Gloss |
Benchtops/splashbackInvisible White Porcelain / Laminam | Kitchen sinkFranke City Fragranite Single Bowl, undermount, in Polar White |
TapsZip HydroTap Celsius All-In-One Arc, from Reece Bathroom | OvenMicrowave/Combi oven, from Neff |
CooktopInvisacook – 2-burner unit | VentilationGruppo Incasso, plus 60cm, undermount, in Stainless White, from Falmec |
RefrigerationSeries 5 Integrated Refrigerator Freezer, from Fisher & Paykel | DishwasherSeries 9 Integrated Single DishDrawer Dishwasher, from Fisher & Paykel |
LightingJaque adjustable linear pendant, from About Space | FlooringWoodcut Limed Ash engineered flooring |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended |
This kitchen, forming part of a one-bedroom apartment in Darlinghurst, was conceived as a bold yet refined response to compact urban living.
The owner’s brief was clear: a complete transformation of the apartment into a highly personalised bachelor pad, one that embraced colour, curves, contrast, and a sense of sleek sophistication, while delivering increased storage and integrating high-performing appliances.
The design concept was sparked by an unexpected but defining moment during the initial briefing, when the owner presented a resin cheese knife in a soft, marshmallow pink tone.
This object became the foundation for the entire palette and material direction.
From this, a layered scheme emerged, anchored by a restrained blush-toned joinery, offset with rich burgundy accents and warm material contrasts.
Rather than allowing colour to dominate, the palette was carefully balanced to feel sophisticated, playful, and ultimately calming.
One of the key challenges was working within the constraints of the existing apartment shell.
Full internal reconfiguration benefits kitchen’s design presence
The space required a full internal reconfiguration, with significant issues including uneven flooring and inconsistent ceiling heights, compounded by multiple bulkheads.
These elements limited both spatial clarity and the perceived volume of the kitchen.
Through close collaboration with the builder, the floor was completely levelled and bulkheads were minimised, allowing the ceiling height to be visually and physically lifted.
This intervention dramatically improved the sense of openness, making the kitchen feel larger, lighter, and more resolved.
Functionality and storage were central to the success of the design.
Custom joinery makes use of every milimetre of space
Custom joinery was detailed to maximise every millimetre, incorporating integrated handles and shadowlines to maintain a clean, uninterrupted aesthetic.
Internally, cabinetry was finished in a deep Kalamata tone, echoing the burgundy accents and introducing an unexpected layer of richness and contrast.
This detail elevates the joinery beyond purely functional storage, turning it into a feature in its own right.
A key product innovation within the kitchen was the integration of an Invisacook cooktop beneath a Laminam benchtop.
Given the compact footprint and the apartment owner’s preference for a more minimal, design-led outcome, the traditional cooktop was intentionally removed as a visual feature,” says Cate Liedtke, Catherine de Meur Interiors.
Keeping benchtop visually clean
Instead, this concealed solution allows the benchtop to read as one continuous surface, enhancing the perception of space while still delivering full functionality.
It was a considered response to both the scale of the kitchen and the cowner’s lifestyle, where cooking was not the primary focus.
Materiality and detailing played a significant role throughout.
The use of farmers doors allowed the subtle grain of the timber to sit beneath the pink finish, adding depth and texture, while carefully considered junctions and transitions ensured a cohesive and highly resolved outcome.
Ultimately, this kitchen is a testament to the power of a strong conceptual narrative.
It demonstrates how a single, personal object can inspire a richly layered design that feels both expressive and refined, delivering a space that is as functional as it is memorable.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
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Credit List
DesignerCate Liedtke, Catherine de Meur Interiors | CabinetryFarmers Doors / Slab Natural Oak / Zero Gloss |
Benchtops/splashbackInvisible White Porcelain / Laminam | Kitchen sinkFranke City Fragranite Single Bowl, undermount, in Polar White |
TapsZip HydroTap Celsius All-In-One Arc, from Reece Bathroom | OvenMicrowave/Combi oven, from Neff |
CooktopInvisacook – 2-burner unit | VentilationGruppo Incasso, plus 60cm, undermount, in Stainless White, from Falmec |
RefrigerationSeries 5 Integrated Refrigerator Freezer, from Fisher & Paykel | DishwasherSeries 9 Integrated Single DishDrawer Dishwasher, from Fisher & Paykel |
LightingJaque adjustable linear pendant, from About Space | FlooringWoodcut Limed Ash engineered flooring |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended |
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