Smith & Smith Kitchens Project 65

The original kitchen, belonging to a young couple with two active boys, was limiting with minimal bench space. The homeowner wanted a proper run of bench between the cooktop, and the sink so everyday cooking doesn’t feel like a juggling act.  

The team started by opening the room up visually. The large corner walk-in pantry was heavy and closed the space in. Replacing it with a sleek pantry beside the fridge opened the area up. And that newly freed corner became a feature you catch as you enter:  floating timber shelves on a timber backing board – practical, but also its own moment.  

While the original look felt very 80s the new design focusses on shape, pulling in lines and curves. The client works in fashion, and she was brave and gutsy in her choices. The overheads to read as a horizontal, linear band, to counter the curve of the solitary shelf on the right. 

The wall space on the left stays intentionally quiet, punctuated by a round light. It’s that balance of positive and negative space that gives the whole kitchen its calm. 

Even the daily rituals were designed in. The morning brew was a real priority, and the increased bench space is a gift for the resident barista, allowing ample room to make coffee properly, without everything piling up.  

Material-wise, the final selection prioritised muted, earthy browns for a warmer, quieter feel.  

Due to the space constraints of the air-conditioning unit, positioned above the back cabinets, proportions had to be carefully balanced. There was no option to extend further into the room, so the team created a balanced design and let the proportions do the work.  

One detail you might miss, but one that totally changes the day- to-day is the floating shelves. They’re not just a styling choice. They’re genuinely handy, and they create space for the things that make a kitchen feel like home.