A modern cook's kitchen design

This original 1920s kitchen was given the star treatment - the result has its owners in culinary paradise. With a teppanyaki cooktop at their fingertips, there's no excuse for the owners of this kitchen not to cook up a storm.

'Wow' factor was at the top of the kitchen wish list for home owners Donna and Mark. Deservedly so, as the couple had put up with their original 1920s kitchen for 10 years. Grey-laminated and poky, with limited bench space and storage, it was in dire need of a makeover. For the keen cooks and entertainers, a functional cook's kitchen space to accommodate two chefs was also a priority.

Six months later, the result is a modern kitchen, fit for a celebrity chef and clearly worth the wait. As Donna recently discovered, the new kitchen not only comfortably accommodates her family, but six of her daughter's hungry friends as well.

"Apparently the breakfast bar is a great leaning height," she laughs. "When it's just the two of us, the bar is ideal for a quiet dinner. On weekends it's perfect for Mark to perch with the weekend paper." With a Zip Hydroboil tap within reach, there's no need to even leave the stool for a cuppa.

An island bench makes the preparation area both functional and social, according to designer Leigh Hunter, of Think Design. "The raised eating area allows the cooks to interact with visitors and family," she explains. "The benchtop is in textured stainless steel to minimise the visibility of scratches and fingerprints."

The toaster, blender and other frequently used appliances are neatly housed in an appliance centre, and there's even enough bench space in this cook's kitchen for Donna's daughters to whip out the omelette maker for breakfast before school.

The back wall is dedicated to the latest induction and teppanyaki cooktops, which are mounted flush with the benchtop. The sink is also under-mounted for a flush-line effect. Underneath, a handy drawer wraps around the sink for the storage of sponges and cleaning products. There's no wasted space in this kitchen design - all base 'cupboards' are drawers, even in the corners.

While creating a modern kitchen space, materials were chosen to marry with the style of the house. "Donna wanted a dramatic colour scheme but still in keeping with the style and age of the house," Leigh explains. "For example, the red splashback ties in with the cornicing. Consistent with the rest of the home, four main colours are used."

A thoughtful ergonomic feature is the raised dishwasher, which also makes a nice aesthetic statement on entering the kitchen. A bi-fold cafe-style window behind the sink provides access to the outdoor entertaining area - an important inclusion for this epicurean family.

Overall, it's a striking result for these gourmet gurus, who'll no doubt have dinner parties planned for months to come.

Leigh Hunter, from Think Design

What's your favorite feature of the kitchen?

The cooktop area with the multimode induction cooktops and teppanyaki plate. The two powerful but elegant overhead canopies make their own statement.

Were there any challenges in the design process or construction?

Modern kitchens need all the right appliances and storage; Donna had her 'wish list', including two ovens, multiple cooking zones, hot and cold water, coffee machine, large fridge, bar-style seating and raised dishwasher.

Are you happy with the overall result?

Very happy - it's great to watch Donna, Mark and the kids all mingling and sharing cooking in the kitchen, when previously only one person could fit in the kitchen space.

How involved was Donna in the design process?

Very much so. She did a lot of research on the internet for various elements, and her fantastic sense of style throughout the whole house gave me a lot of inspiration. Her 'pineapple' hanging light was the finishing touch.

Donna, the home owner

What's the style of the house?

It's almost Tudor in style. We wanted to modernise the kitchen but retain the period look. This has been achieved with older features like the high cornicing flowing through to the new kitchen.

What was the brief?

We wanted an open, modern kitchen but one that retained the period look. We'd been talking about a renovation for years, so it was a culmination of ideas. My husband and I are keen cooks and love entertaining, so we wanted a genuine cook's kitchen.

What's your favourite feature of the kitchen?

The induction hotplates; they're delightful to cook with and are very energy efficient. It's easy to regulate the heat and maintain a slow simmer, which is perfect for sauces. The teppanyaki plate is great too, as it can be used as a grill or frying pan.

Were there any challenges in the design process or construction?

Given it was the first time we'd done a major renovation, it was smooth running. There were a few little hiccups, but nothing compared to the modern kitchens renovation nightmares I'd heard. The Burl timber doors on the island bench proved challenging, as small pieces were required to match the grain.

Are you happy with the overall result?

Yes, we're ecstatic. It's beautiful to work in and look at. Our happiness is glorified by the fact that we put up with a horrible kitchen for 10 years prior.

To get started on modernising your kitchen space and creating a cook's kitchen for real meal preparation, dining and entertaining, search for a kitchen design professional in your area: