An interior design project for a property development

"For this project we didn't have a specific 'client' in mind," says Carolyn Brown of Harward + Brown who, with Sonya Harward, designed this kitchen from scratch. "For this sort of project we have to think in broader terms about what might appeal to a large group of people.

"With that in mind, we selected finishes and appliances that we thought would appeal to as many people as possible but would also create a definite 'wow' factor." 

Gone are the bright splashes of colour that are a hit in so many modern designs and in comes a simple yet elegant colour scheme. 

Summing up the kitchen's look as "understated elegance", Carolyn says it was achieved by mixing quality appliances with high-class materials and making sure there was great attention paid to the details. 

"We knew that the apartments would be marketed towards the higher end of the property market, so the kitchen had to reflect that. Because of this, we chose a matt 2 Pac finish for the cabinetry and went with Miele appliances for everything from the oven to the coffee machine."

They also made the decision to install an over-sized oven and cooktop – opting for the 900mm models rather than the more standard 600mm size that you'll find in the average kitchen. 

"Even though we didn't have a large space to work with, we felt it was important to offer a wider oven and cooktop because this is always a must in a gourmet kitchen, so would be expected by a prospective buyer of this type of development."

Another trick to give the kitchen that expensive, luxurious feel? Stretch as many as possible of the kitchen components right to the ceiling. 

"We decided to do that for two reasons – firstly, it provides extra storage, which every kitchen, no matter how big or small, can always benefit from, and secondly, it provides a seamless look from the floor to the ceiling, which is very luxurious and easy on the eye."

Carolyn Brown

Harward + Brown

What brief were you working to for this project?

We knew we had to create a room that had visual impact, but because it was a residential development, would appeal to as many people as possible. 

How did you do that?

We chose a relatively neutral colour scheme that would have wide appeal, but at the same time wasn't the typical 'white' option. This scheme would work with a number of decorating styles but is still capable of creating an impact. 

What gives the kitchen its 'wow' factor?

Simple, elegant finishes like the stainless steel, the reconstituted stone benctop and the 2 Pac finish that's been used for the cabinetry, combined with lots of attention to detail – like installing the partial wall into the benchtop. 

Why was that done?

It's a neat way to conceal the untidy working area of the kitchen – the sink area. It means you can have dishes stacked by the sink, but when you're sitting in the dining and living area, the kitchen still looks tidy. 

But it also has a definite visual appeal?

Absolutely. It creates a point of interest at the front, which is why we chose to create it from a contrasting material. We've used a combination of colour-backed glass and matt 2 Pac.