DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Melanie Sa'u, Melanie Sa'u Design Studio

Photography by: Studio Weir

Design brief

The homeowners – busy professional business owners with two adult children, one living at home – were tired of their dated interior and embarked on an overhaul of their family home, nestled in a quaint beachside suburb with stunning coastal views.

Being busy with their local business, and spending down time out and about in their quaint beachside suburb, the renovation needed to both reflect their busy lifestyle and take aesthetic inspiration from the coastal surroundings.

 

Pocket drawers reveal the roomy appliance pantry at one end of the kitchen.
Pocket doors reveal the roomy appliance pantry at one end of the kitchen.

The owners’ brief to the designer was minimal – the couple choosing to trust in their designer’s expertise.

Key requests:

  • Minimal colour palette with little timber, reflect the surroundings of the home – must be light & bright
  • More storage, including dedicated appliance storage
  • Modern integrated appliances including larger & separate fridge & freezer, beverage fridge and induction cooktop
  • Maximise the view from main working centres
  • Incorporate hardwearing, contemporary finishes
  • No requirement for dining area, mainly dine outside or on kitchen island

Kitchen design statement

Being the owners’ forever home, they wanted to transform the space into something they could enjoy and entertain in for years to come.

Our design harmoniously blends contemporary coastal aesthetics with functionality, inspired by the serene beachside surroundings.

We crafted a versatile, light-filled sanctuary, complete with a serene white and bright colour palette, evoking tranquillity and openness.

Warm white cabinetry in White Pointer provided a basis to work from.

With such a minimal palette, texture in the form of custom milled wave panelling was incorporated to add interest to the space.

The hero Cosentino Dekton Trance surface also appears on the appliance pantry splashback.
The hero Cosentino Dekton Trance surface also appears on the appliance pantry splashback.

The star of the show

The star of the show is the beautiful Dekton Trance.

Offering a limited colour palette, Trance reflected the essence of beachside serenity with its striking blue and bronze veining.

Paired with Taupe timber flooring & aged brass pendant, the tones were curated to create an element of warmth within an otherwise white and stark space.

To optimise functionality and efficiency, we incorporated a hidden appliance pantry space that seamlessly integrates into the design, offering ample storage for the busy homeowners while maintaining a clutter-free open living space.

 

The benchtop, Cosentino Dekton Trance, reflects the beachside vibe with its striking blue and bronze veining.
The benchtop, with its striking blue and bronze veining, reflects the beachside vibe.

Additionally, we’ve catered to their specific needs with accommodations for larger storage spaces & appliances.

These included a double door internal drawer pantry, integrated fridge and separate integrated freezer, and beverage fridge – ensuring that the kitchen remains both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Central to our design concept is the integration of the kitchen island as the heart of the space, strategically positioned to maximise both ocean views and connectivity to the wider living space.

By housing both the flush-mounted cooktop and sink station within the island, we’ve created a dynamic focal point that encourages interaction and effortless flow between cooking and socialising.

In essence, our kitchen design for this home reflects a modern interpretation of coastal living, providing a sanctuary for the homeowners to enjoy and entertain in for years to come.

Credit List

Kitchen designer
Melanie Sa'u, Melanie Sa'u Design Studio
Cabinetry
Prime Melamine, Resene White Pointer; custom wave MDF, lacquered Resene White Pointer
Cabinetry hardware
Hettich Avantech You Drawers; Hettich Sensys Hinges; Hafele Bifold Concepta Pocket Door
Benchtops/splashback
Cosentino Dekton Trance
Flooring
Vienna Woods
Lighting
Powersurge
Kitchen sink
Franke Box Centre
Taps
Plumbline Tube
Oven
Fisher & Paykel
Cooktop, dishwasher
Miele, from Kitchen Things
Refrigeration
Liebherr, from Kitchen Things
Wine fridge
Baumatic, from Kitchen Things
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended

Design brief

The homeowners – busy professional business owners with two adult children, one living at home – were tired of their dated interior and embarked on an overhaul of their family home, nestled in a quaint beachside suburb with stunning coastal views.

Being busy with their local business, and spending down time out and about in their quaint beachside suburb, the renovation needed to both reflect their busy lifestyle and take aesthetic inspiration from the coastal surroundings.

 

Pocket drawers reveal the roomy appliance pantry at one end of the kitchen.
Pocket doors reveal the roomy appliance pantry at one end of the kitchen.

The owners’ brief to the designer was minimal – the couple choosing to trust in their designer’s expertise.

Key requests:

  • Minimal colour palette with little timber, reflect the surroundings of the home – must be light & bright
  • More storage, including dedicated appliance storage
  • Modern integrated appliances including larger & separate fridge & freezer, beverage fridge and induction cooktop
  • Maximise the view from main working centres
  • Incorporate hardwearing, contemporary finishes
  • No requirement for dining area, mainly dine outside or on kitchen island

Kitchen design statement

Being the owners’ forever home, they wanted to transform the space into something they could enjoy and entertain in for years to come.

Our design harmoniously blends contemporary coastal aesthetics with functionality, inspired by the serene beachside surroundings.

We crafted a versatile, light-filled sanctuary, complete with a serene white and bright colour palette, evoking tranquillity and openness.

Warm white cabinetry in White Pointer provided a basis to work from.

With such a minimal palette, texture in the form of custom milled wave panelling was incorporated to add interest to the space.

The hero Cosentino Dekton Trance surface also appears on the appliance pantry splashback.
The hero Cosentino Dekton Trance surface also appears on the appliance pantry splashback.

The star of the show

The star of the show is the beautiful Dekton Trance.

Offering a limited colour palette, Trance reflected the essence of beachside serenity with its striking blue and bronze veining.

Paired with Taupe timber flooring & aged brass pendant, the tones were curated to create an element of warmth within an otherwise white and stark space.

To optimise functionality and efficiency, we incorporated a hidden appliance pantry space that seamlessly integrates into the design, offering ample storage for the busy homeowners while maintaining a clutter-free open living space.

 

The benchtop, Cosentino Dekton Trance, reflects the beachside vibe with its striking blue and bronze veining.
The benchtop, with its striking blue and bronze veining, reflects the beachside vibe.

Additionally, we’ve catered to their specific needs with accommodations for larger storage spaces & appliances.

These included a double door internal drawer pantry, integrated fridge and separate integrated freezer, and beverage fridge – ensuring that the kitchen remains both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Central to our design concept is the integration of the kitchen island as the heart of the space, strategically positioned to maximise both ocean views and connectivity to the wider living space.

By housing both the flush-mounted cooktop and sink station within the island, we’ve created a dynamic focal point that encourages interaction and effortless flow between cooking and socialising.

In essence, our kitchen design for this home reflects a modern interpretation of coastal living, providing a sanctuary for the homeowners to enjoy and entertain in for years to come.

Credit List

Kitchen designer
Melanie Sa'u, Melanie Sa'u Design Studio
Cabinetry
Prime Melamine, Resene White Pointer; custom wave MDF, lacquered Resene White Pointer
Cabinetry hardware
Hettich Avantech You Drawers; Hettich Sensys Hinges; Hafele Bifold Concepta Pocket Door
Benchtops/splashback
Cosentino Dekton Trance
Flooring
Vienna Woods
Lighting
Powersurge
Kitchen sink
Franke Box Centre
Taps
Plumbline Tube
Oven
Fisher & Paykel
Cooktop, dishwasher
Miele, from Kitchen Things
Refrigeration
Liebherr, from Kitchen Things
Wine fridge
Baumatic, from Kitchen Things
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended

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