This timeless kitchen commands a prime position in a brand new, modern home. 

Dale Summerfield’s brief from the homeowner of this large transitional-style kitchen in Gisborne was that she wanted something functional, practical, light and airy; to have classical looks that wouldn’t date, and to match the black-and-white theme in the rest of her new home.

“My client came armed with lots of images and a strong idea of what she wanted,” says Dale. “Her must-haves were a large island for the whole family to congregate around and a scullery where she could do her prep and cleaning up away from prying eyes. 

To give his client the timeless and authentic look she requested, Dale specified a white-painted finish, along with the tongue-and-groove detail in the cabinetry, and a butchers’ tile splashback. “My client had already chosen the elegant, twisted-steel handles, and they went perfectly with this look,” he says.

The bank of Miele ovens was another item already in the mind of his client, along with a request to use her existing Westinghouse fridge. The adjacent bar area, complete with integrated wine fridge, was her husband’s request, and the designer tied it in perfectly with the kitchen by using the same style cabinetry and granite benchtops.

The 3.3-metre granite benchtop is a stunning piece of stone – arguably the star of the kitchen. Chosen by the homeowners on a trip to Auckland, it brings the whole black-and-white theme together. “When we first saw it, we turned to each other and knew this was the piece we’d been looking for,” she says. “It looks rather stunning, because it really stands out against the relatively plain backdrop of the rest of the décor in the room. It certainly gives the kitchen a bit of oomph!”

The scullery, which sits behind the back wall of the main kitchen, is very simple – just a sink, pantry and a place to store the owners small appliances and many cookbooks. “It’s great when you’re entertaining, and a joy to have,” she says.

She goes onto say that the whole project came together very easily. “Dale was great to work with. And the kitchen works so well, whether it’s just the two of us, or when we have all the grandchildren around. One of the big bonuses is, because of the open-plan design, I now don’t miss out on all the fun and tales everyone’s talking about around the dining table.”