DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Anna McMillan, McMillan Design

Photography by: Simon Whitbread

After 12 years in their Castle Cove home, our homeowners were ready to transform a compact, dated kitchen into a warm, functional hub that matched the spectacular Middle Harbour outlook and the way they now live.

The original kitchen had offered limited storage and felt visually heavy and disconnected from adjacent family spaces.

The brief was to create a relaxed yet luxurious kitchen that felt timeless, welcoming and easy to use every day, while integrating seamlessly with the broader renovation of the home.

A softly veined marble wraps the island and rear benchtops, providing both a hardworking surface and a refined focal point.
A softly veined marble wraps the island and rear benchtops, providing both a hardworking surface and a refined focal point.

Our design response was guided by the natural landscape visible through the windows – hazy olive greens, soft neutrals, natural timbers and stone – creating a calm, grounded palette that visually connects the kitchen to the bush and water views beyond.

Benchtop – hardworking surface and a refined focal point

A softly veined grey-green marble wraps the island and rear benchtops, providing both a hardworking surface and a refined focal point.

Warm timber joinery to the island and rangehood introduces texture and tactility, while the softly coloured perimeter cabinetry recedes, allowing the stone and timber to take centre stage,” says Anna McMillan.

Functionally, the layout was replanned to maximise storage, improve workflow and strengthen connection to the family room and dining area.

Generous underbench drawers and tall integrated cabinetry now house everyday items and bulk supplies, keeping the space visually calm.

A bespoke bar and coffee station keeps daily rituals beautifully contained yet always at hand.

Work zones for preparation, cooking and cleanup are clearly defined, allowing multiple family members to use the kitchen comfortably at once – in line with TIDA’s focus on functionality and space design.

High performance appliances are integrated wherever possible, supporting serious cooking while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic.

Generous underbench drawers and tall integrated cabinetry house everyday items – keeping the space visually calm and uncluttered.
Generous underbench drawers and tall integrated cabinetry house everyday items – keeping the space visually calm and uncluttered.

Slim-line hardware, considered shadow lines and negative detailing all feature

Slim-line hardware, considered shadow lines and negative detailing to the island all enhance the sense of craftsmanship without visual clutter.

Open, refined shelving replaces heavier joinery, introducing a sense of lightness and offering space for treasured objects and art.

A soft, Zellige-tiled splashback adds subtle texture and a gentle sheen behind the main working zone.

Layered lighting – including a sculptural linear pendant over the island and discreet task lighting – balances strong functional illumination with softer, atmospheric options for evening entertaining.

A bespoke bar and coffee station keeps daily rituals beautifully contained yet always at hand.
A bespoke bar and coffee station keeps daily rituals beautifully contained yet always at hand.

The completed kitchen now feels calm, welcoming and intentionally resolved, anchoring the wider home renovation while reflecting both the surrounding landscape and the personal story of the family who gathers here.

Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com

Credit List

Designer
Anna McMillan, McMillan Design
Cabinetry
CRS Joinery
Cabinetry hardware
Momo. Bellevue Plain Bar Pull 320mm and Bellevue Plain Knob
Benchtops
Cav'art Calacatta Vagil Marble 40mm, honed
Splashback
Cav'art Calacatta Vagil Marble 40mm, honed
Kitchen sink
Franke Mythos, from Winning Appliances
Taps
Astra Walker, Icon Kitchen Mixer with Pull Out Spout and Dual Spray and Kitchen Mixer with Swivel Spout
Oven
Miele – Vitroline Pyrolytic Build-in Oven (x 2), from Winning Appliances
Cooktop
Miele – Induction
Ventilation
Qasair Conley Under Cupboard Rangehood
Refrigeration
Fisher & Paykel – Integrated French Door
Dishwasher
Miele – fully Integrated XXL, with Autodos, Obsidian Black Fascia
Water dispenser
Zip Tap Hydrotap G5 BC Elite Plus Brushed Nickel, from ZipWater
Wine fridge
Artusi – fully integrated bar fridge
Lighting
Style Craft; Ceto Chandelier by Ross Gardam
Flooring
Floor tiles, existing
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended

After 12 years in their Castle Cove home, our homeowners were ready to transform a compact, dated kitchen into a warm, functional hub that matched the spectacular Middle Harbour outlook and the way they now live.

The original kitchen had offered limited storage and felt visually heavy and disconnected from adjacent family spaces.

The brief was to create a relaxed yet luxurious kitchen that felt timeless, welcoming and easy to use every day, while integrating seamlessly with the broader renovation of the home.

A softly veined marble wraps the island and rear benchtops, providing both a hardworking surface and a refined focal point.
A softly veined marble wraps the island and rear benchtops, providing both a hardworking surface and a refined focal point.

Our design response was guided by the natural landscape visible through the windows – hazy olive greens, soft neutrals, natural timbers and stone – creating a calm, grounded palette that visually connects the kitchen to the bush and water views beyond.

Benchtop – hardworking surface and a refined focal point

A softly veined grey-green marble wraps the island and rear benchtops, providing both a hardworking surface and a refined focal point.

Warm timber joinery to the island and rangehood introduces texture and tactility, while the softly coloured perimeter cabinetry recedes, allowing the stone and timber to take centre stage,” says Anna McMillan.

Functionally, the layout was replanned to maximise storage, improve workflow and strengthen connection to the family room and dining area.

Generous underbench drawers and tall integrated cabinetry now house everyday items and bulk supplies, keeping the space visually calm.

A bespoke bar and coffee station keeps daily rituals beautifully contained yet always at hand.

Work zones for preparation, cooking and cleanup are clearly defined, allowing multiple family members to use the kitchen comfortably at once – in line with TIDA’s focus on functionality and space design.

High performance appliances are integrated wherever possible, supporting serious cooking while maintaining a streamlined aesthetic.

Generous underbench drawers and tall integrated cabinetry house everyday items – keeping the space visually calm and uncluttered.
Generous underbench drawers and tall integrated cabinetry house everyday items – keeping the space visually calm and uncluttered.

Slim-line hardware, considered shadow lines and negative detailing all feature

Slim-line hardware, considered shadow lines and negative detailing to the island all enhance the sense of craftsmanship without visual clutter.

Open, refined shelving replaces heavier joinery, introducing a sense of lightness and offering space for treasured objects and art.

A soft, Zellige-tiled splashback adds subtle texture and a gentle sheen behind the main working zone.

Layered lighting – including a sculptural linear pendant over the island and discreet task lighting – balances strong functional illumination with softer, atmospheric options for evening entertaining.

A bespoke bar and coffee station keeps daily rituals beautifully contained yet always at hand.
A bespoke bar and coffee station keeps daily rituals beautifully contained yet always at hand.

The completed kitchen now feels calm, welcoming and intentionally resolved, anchoring the wider home renovation while reflecting both the surrounding landscape and the personal story of the family who gathers here.

Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com

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Credit List

Designer
Anna McMillan, McMillan Design
Cabinetry
CRS Joinery
Cabinetry hardware
Momo. Bellevue Plain Bar Pull 320mm and Bellevue Plain Knob
Benchtops
Cav'art Calacatta Vagil Marble 40mm, honed
Splashback
Cav'art Calacatta Vagil Marble 40mm, honed
Kitchen sink
Franke Mythos, from Winning Appliances
Taps
Astra Walker, Icon Kitchen Mixer with Pull Out Spout and Dual Spray and Kitchen Mixer with Swivel Spout
Oven
Miele – Vitroline Pyrolytic Build-in Oven (x 2), from Winning Appliances
Cooktop
Miele – Induction
Ventilation
Qasair Conley Under Cupboard Rangehood
Refrigeration
Fisher & Paykel – Integrated French Door
Dishwasher
Miele – fully Integrated XXL, with Autodos, Obsidian Black Fascia
Water dispenser
Zip Tap Hydrotap G5 BC Elite Plus Brushed Nickel, from ZipWater
Wine fridge
Artusi – fully integrated bar fridge
Lighting
Style Craft; Ceto Chandelier by Ross Gardam
Flooring
Floor tiles, existing
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended

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