It started with the benchtop – the kitchen design grew from this striking central feature.

It started with the benchtop

Everything has to begin somewhere – here, the designer shares the train of thought that resulted in this clean-lined, hub-of-the-home kitchen

It started with the benchtop

Everything has to begin somewhere – here, the designer shares the train of thought that resulted in this clean-lined, hub-of-the-home kitchen

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Shelley Cattle, Fowler Homes Waikato and Kitchen FX

Photography by: Ari Stokes

From the designer:

It started with the benchtop.

I always end up with a white benchtop, and this time I decided to go grey.

After investigating different grey benchtop products, I fell in love with CDK Stone’s Limestone Ankara Storm.

That decided, I discovered that the stones’ lengths are varying, and they couldn’t guarantee one arriving in time that was long enough for the island.

Split island pairs a solid Ankara Storm stone slab with a soft oak dining insert.
Designer: I decided to split the island into a block/slab of the Ankara storm with the softness of the oak table insert attached.

Based on this, I decided to split this island into a block/slab of the Ankara Storm with the softness of the oak table insert attached to it.

It is a big area, with plenty of drawers and cupboards, so I was not worried about the integrity of the kitchen by losing a set of drawers on the island.

I always like white cabinetry where many hands touch, so I made drawers on the back bench and the island white.

Then it was a matter of choosing a complementary colour to the benchtop – hence the rest of the kitchen, Carbon timberland. I love the texture of this product.

Emma at Kitchen FX did a wonderful job of designing the rest, I trust her to put drawers, cupboards and dishwashers where they need to be.

White cabinetry used throughout for a timeless, clean-lined look.
Designer: I always like white cabinetry, so I made drawers on the back bench and island in white.

I do like clean surfaces, so I added internal drawers to minimise drawer lines.

It was important not to see open cupboards in the scullery as there is no door between these open-plan spaces.

I made these cupboards vertical to match the overhead cupboards on the back wall of the kitchen.

I kept these colours the same to achieve a cohesive look.

This is a big, beautiful kitchen – the stone is the centrepiece, complementing the engineered wooden floors and the feature attached table.

The kitchen is the hub of this home, connecting to the outdoor area with the Escea Cooking Kitchen, the scullery, dining and living areas.

Kitchen serves as the home’s central hub, connecting seamlessly to outdoor space, scullery, dining, and living zones.
The kitchen is the hub of this home, connecting to the outdoor area, the scullery, dining and living areas.

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Credit List

Co-designer
Shelley Cattle, Fowler Homes Waikato
Cabinetry
Meltica – Snowdrift Naturale and Carbon Timberland
Benchtops
CDK Stone and Uniquartz
Kitchen sink
Elleci Quadra Granitek
Oven, cooktop, dishwasher
Asko, from Jones Family Business
Refrigeration
Samsung
Lighting
Lighting Direct
Designer
Kitchen FX
Cabinetry hardware
Grass Nova Pro Scala with Softclose and Hettich with Softclose
Splashback
Limestone Ankara Storm, from CDK Stone
Taps
Greens Galiano Kontact sink mixer
Ventilation
Bosch, Jones Family Business
Wine fridge
Wine fridge
Floors
Engineered Wood Floor – Blonde Oak Feature, from Forte Flooring
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Runner-up

From the designer:

It started with the benchtop.

I always end up with a white benchtop, and this time I decided to go grey.

After investigating different grey benchtop products, I fell in love with CDK Stone’s Limestone Ankara Storm.

That decided, I discovered that the stones’ lengths are varying, and they couldn’t guarantee one arriving in time that was long enough for the island.

Split island pairs a solid Ankara Storm stone slab with a soft oak dining insert.
Designer: I decided to split the island into a block/slab of the Ankara storm with the softness of the oak table insert attached.

Based on this, I decided to split this island into a block/slab of the Ankara Storm with the softness of the oak table insert attached to it.

It is a big area, with plenty of drawers and cupboards, so I was not worried about the integrity of the kitchen by losing a set of drawers on the island.

I always like white cabinetry where many hands touch, so I made drawers on the back bench and the island white.

Then it was a matter of choosing a complementary colour to the benchtop – hence the rest of the kitchen, Carbon timberland. I love the texture of this product.

Emma at Kitchen FX did a wonderful job of designing the rest, I trust her to put drawers, cupboards and dishwashers where they need to be.

White cabinetry used throughout for a timeless, clean-lined look.
Designer: I always like white cabinetry, so I made drawers on the back bench and island in white.

I do like clean surfaces, so I added internal drawers to minimise drawer lines.

It was important not to see open cupboards in the scullery as there is no door between these open-plan spaces.

I made these cupboards vertical to match the overhead cupboards on the back wall of the kitchen.

I kept these colours the same to achieve a cohesive look.

This is a big, beautiful kitchen – the stone is the centrepiece, complementing the engineered wooden floors and the feature attached table.

The kitchen is the hub of this home, connecting to the outdoor area with the Escea Cooking Kitchen, the scullery, dining and living areas.

Kitchen serves as the home’s central hub, connecting seamlessly to outdoor space, scullery, dining, and living zones.
The kitchen is the hub of this home, connecting to the outdoor area, the scullery, dining and living areas.

Search similar articles


Credit List

Co-designer
Shelley Cattle, Fowler Homes Waikato
Cabinetry
Meltica – Snowdrift Naturale and Carbon Timberland
Benchtops
CDK Stone and Uniquartz
Kitchen sink
Elleci Quadra Granitek
Oven, cooktop, dishwasher
Asko, from Jones Family Business
Refrigeration
Samsung
Lighting
Lighting Direct
Designer
Kitchen FX
Cabinetry hardware
Grass Nova Pro Scala with Softclose and Hettich with Softclose
Splashback
Limestone Ankara Storm, from CDK Stone
Taps
Greens Galiano Kontact sink mixer
Ventilation
Bosch, Jones Family Business
Wine fridge
Wine fridge
Floors
Engineered Wood Floor – Blonde Oak Feature, from Forte Flooring
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Runner-up

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