Leigh Kitchen & Laundry

Designer Natalie Du Bois’ clients had always dreamed of having a minimalist yet mid-century style kitchen for their coastal bach located in Leigh; a kitchen that instantly made them feel like they were on holiday. The existing kitchen was dark and had a very low, sloped ceiling with an even lower structural beam, which Natalie raised and hid in the ceiling instead. She also opened up the tight, u-shaped layout into a user-friendly galley island configuration. This encourages more flow and, with an addition of large glass doors at the rear, allows light to flood into the space from the back deck – previously cut off by the laundry. This home has beautiful sea views, which Natalie felt really needed to be celebrated, so she re-oriented the kitchen to allow the vistas to be enjoyed, plus have a better flow. For the mid-century look, she introduced a number of design elements, such as the curves to the corners of the stone-clad island and the textured, bead-blasted wood grain cabinetry, which ties in with other timber elements throughout this holiday home. The slim black strip light above the island has a LED along its length and random cap details; the almost bird-wing shape echoing the beachy feel of this coastal home. As the kitchen island is on show from all angles, Natalie included an additional working area within the cabinetry along the back wall that can be hidden behind bi-fold doors, but is designed to look good open or closed with its full internal wall clad in Neolith and timber shelving. The result is an easy-to-work-in, holiday-home kitchen that oozes the feeling of relaxation and good times. NKBA Awards 2021 Supreme Kitchen – Runner up 2021 Creative Excellence 2021 Winner Outstanding Renovation 2021 Kitchen Distinction 80-100K 2021 Auckland Region Winning Kitchen design