The kitchen has long since evolved from a space of preparation to one of congregation – a space where modern families gather, connect and recharge. In its latest collaboration, Laminex and celebrated interior design studio Tom Mark Henry present The Family Kitchen, a design that not only reflects this evolution but elevates it. With a refined understanding of material and use, The Family Kitchen is a contemporary interpretation of coastal Australian living, shaped by human needs and grounded in a tactile expression of nature.
At the heart of the project is Laminex’s True to Nature: Next Generation Woodgrains, a collection that captures the tonal richness and tactile authenticity of native timbers. With the premium, no-repeat TrueScale technology and the distinctive AbsoluteGrain® finish, the surface evokes the warmth and variability of real wood, while delivering the performance that family life demands.
For Tom Mark Henry, this collaboration was an opportunity to explore the intersection of sculptural form and everyday function. The studio’s concept balances warmth with pragmatism, drawing on its signature design approach – layered, experiential and materially grounded.
In the kitchen, Laminex’s Victorian Ash and Blackbutt TrueScale laminates are used in alternating grain directions, creating visual rhythm across drawers and cupboard fronts. The outcome is a series of elegant horizontal gestures that feel both deliberate and effortless, reinforcing the kitchen as the spatial and emotional anchor of the home.
“The Next Generation Woodgrains range gave us the freedom to explore timber in a contemporary way,” says Cushla McFadden, co-founder of Tom Mark Henry. “[We] always aim to create spaces that are both intuitive and highly experiential.” And this kitchen is no exception.
Functionality is deeply embedded in the design. A sculptural dual-island bench forms the centrepiece of the room – multi-level and generous in proportion, it accommodates both culinary preparation and social interaction. Built-in storage and seamless finishes support the quiet choreography of family life, while the palette – earthy neutrals and slate blues are a nod to the Australian coastline.
The muted tones of Outback Clay, drawn from the broader Laminex Colour Collection, layer into the woodgrain finishes with a painterly subtlety, echoing the expressive landscapes of Brett Whiteley. As such, colour and material coalesce to evoke place – a distinctly local sensibility, both modern yet familiar.
“Collaborating with a practice like Tom Mark Henry, who brings such a rich, layered design lens, allows us to show the collection in a way that feels deeply Australian and deeply personal,” says Rachel Oakley, Head of Marketing at Laminex.
This is a kitchen shaped for real life, yet steeped in design rigour – where material performance meets considered aesthetics, and the rituals of the everyday are honoured through enduring, intelligent design. The Family Kitchen is a love letter to the modern Australian family: grounded, generous and connected to nature.
Laminex
laminex.com.au
