With their growing family, John and Caroline wanted to create a space that was practical, functional and fun.
"The builder who originally designed the house seemed to like split levels." explains Jon. "Even the kitchen was on two levels, virtually dividing the room in half. With three small children, it just wasn't safe and the layout didn't really work for us as a family either."
Keith of The Myers Touch worked with the couple to establish exactly what they wanted to achieve with their kitchen, examining how they would use it as a family before beginning the design work. The first task was to create an even floor without losing the character that the original room afforded which Keith achieved by building a suspended floor, bringing it in line with the higher block and beam floor. Immediately the aesthetics of the room were brought together and the one large area worked far better from a design aspect. Keith and Interior designer Helena then spent time working on the ergonomics and flow of the kitchen. "It's easy to get something to look good but we had to ensure it was functional and practical for a growing family" explains Keith.
The kitchen at around five metres square wasn't small but the family's requirements meant that there was very little space to spare and some clever design work was necessary. The couple and their children often eat together so Jon and Caroline particularly wanted to include a dining area without taking up the space required by a dining table and chairs.
The sink had been in front of the kitchen window, but with the stunning views over the garden it was unanimously decided that the area would be better served by accommodating a dining area. To compromise, Keith and Helena created an island, packed with clever storage but with an integral breakfast table leading down to the window. Made from 30mm thick Silestone, a granite composite, the table was so heavy that Keith designed a discreet built-in metal frame to take the weight.
With a nod to traditionalism, the sink has been built into the island so that it still overlooks the vast kitchen window. "Most of the light is at the front of the kitchen." Adds Keith. "So it made sense to put all the utility storage appliances, and anything that does not need good quality light for, against the back wall."
With the lower floor now raised, some dimensions of the room such as the sill height, had been radically altered. Having anticipated this, Keith and Helena designed the base units to fit lower to give a neat and streamlined look. Unsuitable for full units, open shelving provides extra storage without closing the room in. The kitchen by Mobalpa is a series of functional areas which has been highlighted with the styling to give a graduated look such as the changes in colour, style and materials. The resulting kitchen is a practical and hardworking space filled with character, light and style.
