Kitchen
Bathrooms
Spatial Design
the family zone
This project was a renovation of a builder’s own family home to suit their busy lifestyle incorporating a home office, window seat, kitchen, media area and gas fire. This 1990’s home was extensively modernised inside and out to look like a newly built home which allowed for a modern contemporary theme.
The challenge for this project was creating a cohesive space proportioning, balancing and separating out these various zones while ensuring storage was maximised while utilising family friendly, durable products and materials.
Individual zones were created by a simple but dramatic colour palate with soft matt black finishes and the warmth of timber. All media joinery is push to open to avoid complicating the design with the use of handles while also concealing a considerable amount of extra storage for the family. Feature timber floating shelves wrap around the external corner and merge the kitchen and media spaces together.
Bifolding windows in the seating area create a multi-use space in the summer months with the window seat being able to be utilised from both sides when open. Remaining wall area forms a home office desk space.
Soft and forgiving 80mm thick acrylic island bench top with waterfall end in white create an inviting and seamless flow through to the rest of the house. The overhang on the end of the island creating extra space for casual family gatherings.
a GOLFERS DREAM
Our client's are keen golfers and having retired they had decided to build a new home on the edge of a golf course in Mount Maunganui. White and ordinary was not an option for these clients, willing to push the boundaries and open to all options in design and materials.
Working with the architect to remove the wall dividing the scullery and kitchen created an opening
to suspend metal shelving and divide the spaces while enjoying the views of the golf course from the
alfresco living at the front of the house. Framed wing walls were removed to make way for mitred
veneer columns complimenting the seamless flow between the spaces. The placement of the
second sink in the dividing café cabinetry, also services the scullery area.
Incorporating the high window in the scullery area while still maintaining ample tall & wall storage
created a challenge within the design. Full use was made of all available wall space including raising
the bench height in the appliance area for optimum functionality for the client.
1500mm x 3000mm piece of marble look porcelain which formed the splash back, along with
suspended brackets mounted in the ceiling prior to gib all needed to be considered at different
stages of the house build.
Inspired by the surroundings, timber veneer was utilised to bring the outdoors in, complimented by
natural honed granite bench tops and a marble look splash back. The use of the horizontal grain
elongates the space creating a modern European look.
creatively compact
This Beach side, modern architecturally designed home is compact with a cube like structure on a condensed site with limited living space for a young family to call home.The challenge was to design a kitchen fitting of the architecture while adhering to a very strict budget with little room for movement.
The original architectural plans had the island positioned facing the dinning creating a barrier – rotating the island by 90 degrees provided an improved work flow through the kitchen and adjacent areas. Working with the builder to ensure the sliding window position enabled the bench top into the sill creating a connection with the outdoor living area.
Engaging the builder to frame the kitchen and colour match the bulkhead and wing walls to the cabinetry, combined with the use of cost effective materials enabled the project to meet budget while maintaining a creative aesthetic.
With the client having pre-purchased a black freestanding stove and black tapware combined with the cedar and black exterior of the home gave inspiration which formed the colour palette. Incorporating timber accents into the kitchen space by framing the breakfast bar, complimented by the feature overcupboards. The clients originally requested a black kitchen, however, manipulating the colour choice, finishes and placement created a much softer, practical and family friendly outcome.
aN ENTERTAINERS DREAM
Our client's brief was to create an entertainer’s dream kitchen. A busy professional couple, they requested something glossy and impressive including a wine cellar with freedom to move walls to suit the design. To create a multi-use, functional space the kitchen was designed into an L shape with a central island which functions as both a central seating hub and houses the wine/beverage fridges for ease of access when entertaining.
Featuring a Copacabana granite for the island including a substantial concealed internal metal frame to cantilever the top. To utilise the extended ceiling height we suspended a bulkhead over the island. The bulkhead incorporated multi coloured LED up lighting as well as downlights. Fixings for the bulkhead were incorporated into the ceiling space during construction.
All drawers and lift systems utilise BLUM servo drive technology to create a streamlined effect.
Stainless steel tops ran into the bifold window – the extra depth within the window was utilised for a panama fitting to keep drinks cold while cooking outside on the barbeque.
Hafele Hawa fold-back pocket doors conceal the pantry area with a push to open extendable bench top.
The wine cellar has a concealed glass sliding door over – custom made stainless dowels support bottles of wine with floating shelves & concealed LED lighting around perimeter for a dramatic effect when entering via the stairs.
award winning studio kitchen
For those who have visited our Mount Maunganui Studio you might recognise this funky compact kitchen We were tight for space but wanted to showcase what could be achieved in a small space.
To avoid having a visible join in the main bench top and to maximise the usage of space a raised stone bar leaner running under the existing bifold windows was introduced.
The extra depth of the sink area, at the same height as the bar leaner, was utilised for a raised stainless-steel top complete with a panama fitting welded in with accessories for convenience.
The introduction of the strip of magnetic blackboard also omitted the need for a join in the Laminam splash back.
A BLUM space tower was implemented as a pantry/storage system and a concealed small appliance area was cleverly covered by a Hafele Hawa pocket door system. BLUM HF lift systems were utilised to maximise access to the overhead cabinetry with the addition of black mesh cabinetry with internal lighting to create the illusion of space.
all the angles
The Client brief was to create something unique to suit their architecturally designed home which included angled spaces, using cost effective products and to create a space that would work for their busy young family.
Vekart designed a kitchen complimenting the architectural elements including laminated HPL panels under the breakfast angled bar both vertically and horizontally with the island top running parallel with the exterior walls.
Our clients had purchased their appliances which required a majority of the wall space to be utilised. To make this work we reduced the window behind the hob and removed most of an internal wall which was to create a separate walk in pantry, the remaining section of wall created a nook which conceals the pantry area.
For serviceability, Laminam was used to clad the entire wall behind the hob and running into window sills and a ceiling mounted rangehood was incorporated into the bulkhead allowing the practical use of the space in front of the window. Stainless steel tops provide a practical working surface for our clients and the wine fridge was positioned for proximity to the outdoor entertaining area.
We used an 80mm thick contrasting raised top on the island to avoid having a join in the main bench top.
White matt Ultraglaze board was used for durability with Sublime teak feature floating shelves and office cabinetry to complement the flooring and feature ceiling detail. Autex stick & peel panels were used as a feature pin board between the desk and over cupboards.
character style
Having relaxed clients who wanted to change the whole kitchen layout of their 1930’s style home was an exciting challenge for our team. The existing space was on the south side of the house and was very dark with a small window, It was inevitable that walls needed to be removed, doorways widened and a new window installed. The only limitation was the load bearing wall between the kitchen & dining room so we widened the doorway, welcoming more light through the dining room windows into the kitchen. Extensive internal cabinetry lighting behind lattice/framed glass doors also contributes to the overall warmth of this space.
Removing the main wall between the kitchen and family room took with it a large corner pantry which needed to be replicated else ware – the laundry adjacent to the kitchen which also included a guest W/C was the perfect space to convert to a combined scullery & laundry, changing the door position into the W/C gave us enough space to do this.
Our client’s only request was that the new kitchen was in-keeping with the character of the home. With the use of framed doors, TG&V panels, colonial cornice & skirting, a custom built rangehood unit and a detailed pressed tin splash back we achieved the character we were after.
The island top was stained to match the timber overlay floor creating consistency of products.
RUSTIC CHARM
From the initial client meeting it became quickly apparent this was not going to be a standard kitchen. The client wanted a space that complimented in with the surroundings integrating with the indoor/outdoor areas with a fully working scullery in a tight space.
To achieve this, we made all cabinetry servo drive (no handles) with satin finish doors and drawers fronts and integrated appliances to blend into its surroundings, the Dekton bench tops were chosen for their uneven natural looking finish and Laminam was utilised to clad the island cabinetry for an earthy finish which complements the recycled timber trusses in the ceiling. Laminam was again used for all splash backs for its irregular finish and serviceability.
At installation stage the imported stone flooring had increased from the specified 25mm thick to 50mm in places due to the irregular nature of the product. As the bench tops had been designed to run into the main window this provided a challenging installation. The result of this flooring thickness variation was the BLUM Flex fitting for the scullery dishwasher had to be removed so we were still able to have 60mm thick bench tops. We then introduced a handmade brass handle for the dishwasher to match the fridge.
We commissioned a local sculptor to make the leg and frame to support the open end of the island to match other metal work around the home, even incorporating a geko under the island for a distinctive touch.
mono & retro
Our client's wanted a modern kitchen with a retro feel. Utilising a monochromatic palette we finished the kitchen with Smeg retro appliances. A custom made stainless steel frame on castors form the island with Dekton Aura bench tops for all areas including waterfall end.
Built to provide a generous space for food preparation.the scullery has a large amount of storage andboth the kitchen and scullery feature Butlers sinks. Black Futura Plywood was utilisef for the scullery overcupboards. Satin finish paint (resene Black White) was chosen for the cabinetry
Strip handles were made to match stainless steel frame of the central island.