The use of the in-bench Neff downdraft meant that cooking on the island was possible without the distraction of an overhead rangehood.

Kitchen island complete with breakfast sitting.

- Centre of attention -

The kitchen offers a wealth of work surfaces with natural task lighting provided by a skylight and strip lighting. The double sink and induction hob have an understated presence.

Porcelain splashbacks were selected to complement the natural marble island and to provide a texture on the rear wall.

The island features waterfall edges at each end – enhancing its seamless, monolithic aesthetic.

The owners also requested a drinks station, which the designer placed behind pocket doors in the second bank of cabinetry along the side wall.

View of kitchen from stairs with pendants in prominence.

Island, benchtops and splashback are finished in the same Cashmere White Q-stone engineered stone.

Concrete flooring runs through the kitchen, in keeping with the home's rugged brick walls.

Strip lighting provides subtle illumination while highlighting the open shelving in the walk-in pantry.

Wood flooring contrasts the white cabinetry while tying in with the island's wood finish.

A crisp, monochromatic palette defines this new beach house, both inside and out. Architect Evelyn McNamara specified dark-stained American oak and white lacquered cabinets in the kitchen, to continue the look of the exterior – the house has black walls, a black roof and white eaves.

Kitchen and sculptural custom rangehood – concrete floors run through the home.

The designer decided to use the full height of the space for the cabinetry and built out a new bulkhead along the entire back wall of the room to accommodate this.

The wood-finished kitchen connects with the timber flooring and extends the natural vibe.

The kitchen island is finished in GRC (Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete), connecting with the wider living area's concrete flooring.

The smooth Cosentino Dekton Trance bench works well with the wave finish on the island cabinetry below.

Open shelving in the butler's pantry gives easy access to crockery, while being concealed from the kitchen and living areas.

Slender stainless steel benchtops feature on the island and perimeter cabinetry.

Second time round, the size of the scullery was increased to include a dedicated coffee/drinks station.

The wine fridge is integrated into the cabinetry but a window ensures its precious contents are still on show

Pantry with open shelving, concealed lighting and textured splashback.

The integrated fridge appears from the woodwork.

Recessed LED strips accentuate the handless perimeter cabinetry.

- Crisp and contemporary -

The benchtop, Cosentino Dekton Trance, reflects the beachside vibe with its striking blue and bronze veining.

The long +Segmento island, with its storage on the outside and its waterfalled marble benchtop at either end, makes the sleek kitchen appear bigger than the available space would actually allow.

Refined cabinetry, integrated appliances, a sculptural island and designer pendant all combine to make this kitchen seamless, practical and also a showpiece.

Veined marble features on the benchtops and splashback.

Looking into the kitchen from the expansive covered rear deck.

Kitchen complete with window splashback and double-height void over head.

Dedicated storage in the Poggenpohl cabinetry helps with an efficient use of available space – not to mention to-hand convenience.

Behind the scenes in the kitchen before the project and after.

Bar area with cabinet doors closed.

Designer: “The island needs to be large and clad in stone” was our brief for the main kitchen island.

The layout has the outer island where you sit, and the inner island with the cooktop in front of the back wall with the sink area. The owners spend time at home with family and entertaining so the layout and design needed to be very functional.

Well connected – the stone seen on the kitchen island is continued as the living area fire's hearth stone.

The kitchen's butler's pantry, exhibiting the relaxing tone of green.

Handle-less appliances and cabinetry avoid any confusion allowing the alcove to pop!

The budget was focussed on practical elements such as the kitchen and walk-in-pantry.

The (re) renovated kitchen overlooks the dining area and outdoor living space.

The to-hand wine fridge is also on display to the wider space.

The drinks station can disappear from sight with the close of pocket doors.

The sculptural Whispair extractors avoid blocking sightlines to the mountain views.

A wall of white and contemporary slender benchtops are only half the story of this high-tech kitchen with hero distressed surfaces.

Underlit open shelving greets entry into the large scullery which is as refined as the main showcase kitchen.

Located on the street side of the home, the contemporary kitchen is spacious and light filled.

The kitchen works well within its wider setting.

The kitchen, prep bench included, connects through to the lounge.

The induction hob is as sleek as the integrated extractor above – it's the marble surfaces set against the crisp white cabinetry that draws the visitor's eye.

To help emphasise the island, the designer mirrored the island shape to the ceiling with a suspended ‘cloud’, clad in timber panelling. Recessed LED strip lighting has been used on the inside of the cloud.

A very contemporary polished and brushed steel 'console' houses the steam oven and a single oven. Like the cooktop table sitting next to it, it's also built on legs.

Drinks and the fridge, why they're right here.

The renovated kitchen, dining and living space – a window splashback provides natural task lighting.

Flush fitting the induction cooktop into the Staron creates a seamless plane across the rear benchtop. The metal rangehood cover is another design feature.

The cooktop sits on top of a farm table structure with legs, and made of reclaimed wood. The owners were attracted to similar structures in a nearby appliance showroom, also designed by Mick De Giulio.

A rich, sumptuous palette includes chocolate cabinetry, aged brass accents, and dark-stained parquet flooring.

The original, intricately veined Silver River marble chosen for the pre-flood renovation was swapped out here for a more robust engineered stone.

Divided interests – ancillary/cleaning/AV storage to the left, kitchen cabinetry/tea station/pantry/refrigeration to the right. The Poggenpohl cabinetry has every point considered.

The kitchen is light and airy – in par thanks to the home's wider architecture.

The kitchen's warm wood cabinetry encloses a drinks station.

Looking through to the generous walk-in scullery tucked in behind the kitchen.

Every aspect of the kitchen reflects high-end functionality.

Pop up, plug in – the kitchen's high quality accessories make it a dream to use day to day.

The Silver River marble splashback is a standout feature of the texture-rich and colour-rich kitchen.

The prep bench with light-bringing window splashback.

The modern oak Nightingale display cabinet was an important backdrop in the centre of the room inspired by the architecture of the house.

Kitchen work surfaces are bathed in natural light.

The proportions of the townhouse kept the scale of the kitchen modest – but that's not how it looks.

A powerful extractor is concealed within the wall unit while the stainless steel rear benchtop connects with the stainless steel elements on the kitchen island.

Contemporary kitchen with island finished in local stone – an induction hob and sculptural rangehood are on show.

All working surfaces are tough and hardwearing. The designer used Neolith from CDK Stone as a feature for the island while for the cooktop benchtop, splashback and scullery, black Dekton was selected, to keep in with the dark theme.

Refrigeration is integrated in the sleek scullery.

The kitchen is close to the indoor and al fresco dining spaces.

The choice of cabinetry and work surfaces aimed to honour the space's inherent character, notably the exposed brick wall and oak details.

New kitchen complete with induction hob and pop up down draft ventilation.

The Gaggenau display in this Abt appliance showroom, also designed by Mick De Giulio, inspired the freestanding cooktop and the oven units. Photography by Dave Burk

Early in the design process it was identified that on-trend curves would be showcased in this house – the kitchen included.