Design ideas from four stunning Perth kitchens

Planning your dream kitchen? Four design insiders share the secrets of these stylish spaces.

Black magic

Inspired by the home’s striking black steel box exterior windows, this kitchen features a dramatic palette of black and timber.

“The (home) ... combines an honest palette of materials utilising compressed sheet, natural timbers and commercial aluminium window profiles,” Lara Staunton, of design studio Lahaus, said of the Doubleview project, which was built by Camstruct. “The dark-timber cabinetry, natural timber flooring and feature pendant lights beautifully complement the home’s architectural qualities.”

The dark timber cabinetwork is in contrast to the engineered smoked-oak flooring, which Ms Staunton said is a hard-wearing pre-finished veneer board that was not only cost-effective but easier to install than traditional timber floorboards.

A quirky Flos Aim pendant light is positioned over the island bench, which includes a casual dining area.

Design tip: The benchtop is a sustainable product called Paperock. “Paperock is made from layer upon layer of paper (recycled or from sustainable sources) and bonded with phenolic resin and heat/ pressure cured,” Ms Staunton said. “It is a remarkably strong composite building material.”

Lahaus, 6114 1044, lahaus.com.au; Camstruct, 0422 450 279, camstruct.com.au.

Timeless beauty

Built for a winemaker, this Floreat kitchen’s most impressive element is not immediately visible: a walk-in wine cellar housed in the scullery.

Builder Dean Humphrey said the kitchen, part of a custom home designed and built by Humphrey Homes, features an array of unique finishes such as rammed concrete on some walls and Azulej Nero feature tiles to the island.

Other highlights include Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo benchtops, Miele appliances including a glass induction cooktop, steam oven and warming drawer, and an integrated bar fridge for added convenience.

“This home was built for a wine-maker and designed with a separate scullery that includes the walk-in wine room,” Mr Humphrey said.

“The scullery also has loads of storage, sink and various small appliances.

“It also has great visual access to the street but is separated by a timber and glass cavity door which slides away completely out of sight.”

Design tip: Distinctive Novalux feature lighting over the island bench creates yet another eye-catching feature.

Humphrey Homes, 9284 5444, humphreyhomes.com.au.

Power couple

Timber and stone make for perfect partners in this Dalkeith kitchen.

Designed by Sandy Anghie and constructed by cabinet-makers G. Mannino & Sons, it features teak cabinetry and a show-stopping granite island bench and splashback from Zuccari in Malaga.

“As with the rest of the home, I chose a neutral palette of materials for the kitchen ... to create spaces that are modern but feel warm and welcoming,” Ms Anghie said.

“In particular, I chose the teak because of its warmth and the fact that it was used in mid-century furniture — so it gives the kitchen a retro, familiar feel.”

“The cabinetwork is a timber veneer but has solid timber edges for durability.”

Above the splashback is a section of polished plaster, from O’Connor-based The Polished Plaster Company, while the flooring is travertine tiling, also from Zuccari.

Design tip: Ms Anghie used door handles only where required, such as on the fridge/freezer and tall cupboards. “For the balance of the drawers and doors the tops are cut at an angle for opening,” she said. “This creates a seamless look — without hardware interrupting the timber face of the doors.”

Sandy Anghie, 0438 922 690, sandyanghiedesign.com; G Mannino & Sons, 9446 6267, gmanninoandsons.com.au.

Stone age

When it came to renovating the kitchen of her own Shenton Park home, interior stylist Andrea Pienaar opted for a design that ensured the new space would fit seamlessly amid the traditional elements of the character cottage.

Ms Pienaar, of Siba Interiors, selected a combination of timber-finish cabinetry, including Polytec Soft Walnut in Ravine, and a marble-look splashback — a CDK Stone porcelain product, called Neolith.

“It's almost indestructible and can withstand a lot of the things stone and marble can’t,” Ms Pienaar said.

Neolith was also used for the ultra-slim 12mm benchtops, the rear workbench repeating the marble design (called Estatuario), while the island uses Nieve white.

Finishing touches include black tapware from Rogerseller in Nedlands, pendant lights from Red Box Agencies in Osborne Park, and GlobeWest bar stools (which are distributed in WA by Roxby Lane).

Design tip: “The slim 12mm-profile benchtops and the decision to not use handles on the cabinetry has brought the look a more current, sleek feel,” Ms Pienaar said.

Siba Interiors, 0407 778 132, sibainteriors.com.