Just 3km from Melbourne’s CBD, the enviable suburb of Albert Park couldn’t be more central to the buzz of city life, yet it remains a peaceful area characterised by wide streets, heritage buildings, open-air cafes and parks. And now home to one of the most stylish kitchens on the block.
Before the kitchen went in to the clients’ Victorian home, the allocated space required a complete overhaul. The ceiling was lowered, a fireplace removed and a new tiled floor was laid. Rogerseller’s in-house design team designed the entire kitchen, tailored to the clients’ needs. Two structural pillars had to be cleverly concealed with false panels to create a continuous flowing wall of cabinetry eight metres long; this meant the builder had to chase back the brick work to allow the plinth to run straight through.
The kitchen itself is from the Artematica range by Italian manufacturer Valcucine and, although it is a completely contemporary solution with sleek, clean lines and handleless doors, it still sits beautifully amidst the property’s classic architecture. This is thanks to a winning combination of timeless materials with a sophisticated colour palette for a design that won’t date.
Rich, warm walnut adds an element of luxury to the scheme and complements the rustic-looking dining furniture, which is more traditional in style and tips a nod to the building’s heritage. It also creates a striking contrast alongside the matte grey glass.
Large-format tiles flow underfoot for a clean, minimalist look, which is further augmented by sleek, curvaceous tapware, slimline door panels and built-in appliances. Even the extractor sits flush with the ceiling.
Valcucine kitchens don’t just look good; they are built with sustainability in mind, and created to last well into the future. Rigorous research and development have made them both one of the most user-friendly and future-friendly brands on the market. Artematica is the first kitchen door in the world to have a 100% aluminium structural frame. This makes the door extremely resistant to humidity, water, heat and impacts. It’s also 100% recyclable, uses 65% less materials than a standard door and thanks to its unique joining system, uses no toxic glues which means that you can take your kitchen with you when you move. Similarly, Valcucine drawers employ technology developed in the automotive industry to withstand a lifetime of frequent use. The sturdy, concealed carbon-finish runners glide silently and close softly – even when filled with a heavy load – to ensure no unnecessary disturbance to the Zen that this kitchen creates.
We love the additional prep area too, which is tucked in the corner, so someone can wash up or help with the cooking without getting in the way of the main work zone.
Double glass doors overlooking the landscaped garden add a final flourish. Perfectly placed, the doors allow natural light to spill through for the ultimate relaxing view whilst cooking. The result is a warm, welcoming room with a stylish kitchen that works hard beneath its calm exterior so the homeowners don’t have to.
Rogerseller