Curved marble countertop and base soften the large island while adding visual lightness and elegance.

'Longing to return'

Part of a home seen on television show Moving Houses, this kitchen's bespoke cabinetry aligns with the character of a bygone era

'Longing to return'

Part of a home seen on television show Moving Houses, this kitchen's bespoke cabinetry aligns with the character of a bygone era

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Designed by: Leonie Hamill, Cube Dentro

Photography by: Kallan MacLeod

From the designer:

The setting

As featured in Moving Houses on TV1, Clonbern Estate is a beautifully restored villa positioned on the Awhitu Peninsula.

The site provides all the merits of a coastal & country lifestyle.

Awhitu means ‘longing to return’ and formed the owner’s brief: “indulge family and friends with an exciting kitchen – a space where everyone will long to return time & time again.”

Original hardwood flooring preserved, paired with custom cabinetry that reflects the home’s historic character.
Original hardwood flooring was retained, while bespoke cabinetry aligns with the character of a bygone era.

Design points

  • Preserve the villa vibe – original hardwood flooring was retained, while bespoke cabinetry aligns with the character of a bygone era and also ties in with new French door joinery.
  • Acknowledge its setting – the veining in the marble connects with the ocean, providing a sense of movement and waves.
  • Add a twist – the elegant curved marble countertop and base breaks up the large island & provides visual impact and a sense of lightness – the sink and wall mounted tapware are discreet but part of the design story, keeping the countertop linear/crisp – a marble splashback contrasts with the island countertop – a bold use of colour and mixed textures (wood and marble) creates interest.
  • Hidden storage and integrated elements deliver a ‘now you see it, now you don’t’ effect.
    Now you see the functionality, now you don’t.

    Redefine an awkward layout – creating just one kitchen wall resolved this issue & works with the open-plan vibe.

  • Create an innovative space entertaining – pendant lighting is practical & aesthetically pleasing for taking photographs and capturing special occasions – the entire space flows and is easy to food & party prep.
  • Inject functionality – the central island is a practical dining arrangement – the scullery offers shelving, extra bench space and storage – integrated appliances are cutting-edge.
Kitchen seamlessly connects to the wider interior famously featured on television.
The kitchen’s relationship to the as-seen-on-TV wider interior.

Search similar articles


Credit List

Designer
Leonie Hamill, Cube Dentro
Cabinetry hardware
Drawers – Blum Legrabox; hinges – Blum Blumotion soft close, black onyx; drawer inserts – Blum Amberline
Splashback
Hob splashback – tiles by Quantum; scullery upstand – Istone, Touche Ice Blanco; Gris, natural finish
Taps
Buddy Plumbline
Flooring
Existing timber, re polished
Cabinetry
Hob wall cabinetry – satin polyurathrane finish, colour Aalto Arthouse; hob overheads cabinetry – satin polyurathrane finish, colour antique brass, custom colour; island cabinetry – satin polyurathrane finish, colour Aalto Gunsmoke; scullery cabinetry – Bestwood melamine, colour Arctic White, velvet finish; scullery open shelf – Bestwood melamine, colour Methven oak, Wilderness finish
Benchtops
Hob – Cosentino, Silestone Blanco Zeus, suede finish; island 1 – Istone, Touche Ice Blanco – Gris, natural finish; island 2 – Cosentino, Dekton, Eter; scullery – Istone, Touche Ice Blanco – Gris, natural finish
Kitchen sink
Acero, Bologna single bowl
Oven, cooktop, rangehood, fridge-freezer (on Blum Servo drive), dishwasher, washing machine, dryer
Fisher & Paykel
Lighting
Leds Brightlight; pendant, by Nightworks Studio
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended

From the designer:

The setting

As featured in Moving Houses on TV1, Clonbern Estate is a beautifully restored villa positioned on the Awhitu Peninsula.

The site provides all the merits of a coastal & country lifestyle.

Awhitu means ‘longing to return’ and formed the owner’s brief: “indulge family and friends with an exciting kitchen – a space where everyone will long to return time & time again.”

Original hardwood flooring preserved, paired with custom cabinetry that reflects the home’s historic character.
Original hardwood flooring was retained, while bespoke cabinetry aligns with the character of a bygone era.

Design points

  • Preserve the villa vibe – original hardwood flooring was retained, while bespoke cabinetry aligns with the character of a bygone era and also ties in with new French door joinery.
  • Acknowledge its setting – the veining in the marble connects with the ocean, providing a sense of movement and waves.
  • Add a twist – the elegant curved marble countertop and base breaks up the large island & provides visual impact and a sense of lightness – the sink and wall mounted tapware are discreet but part of the design story, keeping the countertop linear/crisp – a marble splashback contrasts with the island countertop – a bold use of colour and mixed textures (wood and marble) creates interest.
  • Hidden storage and integrated elements deliver a ‘now you see it, now you don’t’ effect.
    Now you see the functionality, now you don’t.

    Redefine an awkward layout – creating just one kitchen wall resolved this issue & works with the open-plan vibe.

  • Create an innovative space entertaining – pendant lighting is practical & aesthetically pleasing for taking photographs and capturing special occasions – the entire space flows and is easy to food & party prep.
  • Inject functionality – the central island is a practical dining arrangement – the scullery offers shelving, extra bench space and storage – integrated appliances are cutting-edge.
Kitchen seamlessly connects to the wider interior famously featured on television.
The kitchen’s relationship to the as-seen-on-TV wider interior.

Search similar articles


Credit List

Designer
Leonie Hamill, Cube Dentro
Cabinetry hardware
Drawers – Blum Legrabox; hinges – Blum Blumotion soft close, black onyx; drawer inserts – Blum Amberline
Splashback
Hob splashback – tiles by Quantum; scullery upstand – Istone, Touche Ice Blanco; Gris, natural finish
Taps
Buddy Plumbline
Flooring
Existing timber, re polished
Cabinetry
Hob wall cabinetry – satin polyurathrane finish, colour Aalto Arthouse; hob overheads cabinetry – satin polyurathrane finish, colour antique brass, custom colour; island cabinetry – satin polyurathrane finish, colour Aalto Gunsmoke; scullery cabinetry – Bestwood melamine, colour Arctic White, velvet finish; scullery open shelf – Bestwood melamine, colour Methven oak, Wilderness finish
Benchtops
Hob – Cosentino, Silestone Blanco Zeus, suede finish; island 1 – Istone, Touche Ice Blanco – Gris, natural finish; island 2 – Cosentino, Dekton, Eter; scullery – Istone, Touche Ice Blanco – Gris, natural finish
Kitchen sink
Acero, Bologna single bowl
Oven, cooktop, rangehood, fridge-freezer (on Blum Servo drive), dishwasher, washing machine, dryer
Fisher & Paykel
Lighting
Leds Brightlight; pendant, by Nightworks Studio
Awards
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Kitchens – Highly Commended

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