Curve and Contrast

The client’s new home featured an expansive layout with high ceilings, and they had a clear vision for their kitchen: it needed to make a bold statement in the space. The client emphasized the significance of large-scale joinery and the inclusion of an island designed for both utility and entertainment.

The clients were particularly interested in exploring distinctive design concepts, and the idea of incorporating curves resonated with them. They found the prominence of the joinery, framing the kitchen’s height, quite appealing. Their design preferences leaned towards a clean, crisp, and uncluttered aesthetic, highlighted by striking color contrasts. Additionally, elevating the ovens was both a visually appealing feature and a practical choice for ease of access and future-proofing.

However, the primary challenge revolved around identifying a material that could be curved while remaining within the client’s budget. After considering factors like grain direction, joinery, formability, and height restrictions, it became evident that laminate was the most versatile and cost-effective option for this project. The space’s abundance of natural light made the laminate’s UV stability a perfect fit, and its texture and finish were to the client’s liking.

Using the laminate in this way created challenges for the joiner to create the curved stable framework and also the fabricator to laminate to this. The skill and finesse from all involved gave us the sleek finish that the client was super happy with. Choosing acrylic for the bench tops was important to create the curves and have no visible joins.