This kitchen, in an historic, double-storey villa in Ponsonby, was given a thoroughly modern makeover. My clients, who are in the food industry, used the words ‘dark’ and ‘moody’ when describing the look they wanted. He is also a keen cook, so the appliances and their functionality had to be up to the job – hence the four cooktop modules: gas, grill, teppanyaki and induction. An industrial-scale extractor was also needed.

This kitchen is open to view from the rest of the living areas, so a pared-back, integrated aesthetic was also required. The Negresco granite island reads as a solid block of stone, with ‘hidden’ seating for two at one end. A bank of open-grain, dark-stained Ash timber cabinetry sits behind the island, containing the integrated fridge, cooktop and storage. Above the cooktop, blackened steel plate doors hide the extractor. Next to the chimney bricks, a slide-away door hides a small appliance garage.

Early on, my client talked about wanting a strip of plants above the cabinetry, not only to soften the mass of cabinetry but also to accentuate the height of the room. An integrated stainless steel trough was manufactured to accommodate the plant pots.

A kitchen and ensuite bathroom in a new Waiheke Island home, which has elevated views down across the valley to the beach.

Kitchen
The client brief for the kitchen outlined seating at the kitchen island, a bar, a good-sized fridge and a timber finish to cabinetry, plus flow and function that could easily cater for a busy family.

The entire back wall is full-height cabinetry with ovens, a fridge, and good storage. Bi-fold doors open to reveal a pantry on the right and a bar/small appliance space on the left, both with internal stone benchtops. Below the bar is a wine cabinet and, at the opposite end, multiple drawers under the pantry cupboard. In front of the tall back wall cabinetry is the island bench, housing both the cooktop and sink.

The kitchen user is oriented to the view out to the bay and can easily interact with guests in the dining and living rooms. Out through the sliding doors is outdoor relaxed dining, with a great connection to the cooking and food preparation inside.

The natural oak timber blends beautifully with the floor and cedar timber ceiling.
The black accents of the appliances, trim, and island frame provide a visual contrast to the granite benchtops, island back and rustic timber.

Ensuite
The space allocated for the ensuite bathroom was defined by the architectural house plans, and some of the finishes had been selected by the client.

The brief was to bring it all together and determine the final fittings and key elements. Increasing the storage was also a requirement. There was some re-working to undertake and to develop the basic concept outlined in the house plans.

I planned out the final layout, moving the toilet to another wall to allow for custom-designed cabinetry, including a tall storage unit. To increase storage, recessed in-wall medicine cabinets were used with steel-edged mirrored doors.

The limestone tiles, stainless tap fittings, oak cabinetry, and crisp white bath basin and WC give a clean fresh feel, and the green tongue-and-groove wall gives a pop of colour.

This extensively renovated Waiheke Island batch now features a newly designed kitchen that complements the overall remodel. In response to the client's specifications, the design incorporates abundant bench space, a seamless visual connection to the outdoors, storage for appliances on the bench, modern appliances, bar seating, and a timber finish.

To create the desired aesthetic and functionality, the design centres around tall cabinetry strategically positioned around a long low window. This serves as both a splashback and a means of bringing the layered garden view indoors. Overcoming the challenge of a narrow hallway leading into the kitchen, the cabinetry was stepped back to ensure improved access and flow.

Additionally, a steel post supporting the roof presented another obstacle that was cleverly addressed. By situating one end of the island tightly against the post, the island effectively becomes anchored to it.

The kitchen boasts ample storage with numerous drawers, cupboards, and feature shelving for display purposes. Integrated fridge and dish drawers streamline the design, while a foldaway door conceals a cupboard for storing small appliances and glassware.

Featuring an elegant ebony-stained brushed rustic oak veneer cabinetry and leathered black granite countertops, the kitchen exudes the reminiscent charm of dark timber furniture. However, it remains a highly functional space for both work and entertainment.

Project Ingram involved the creation of a new kitchen, laundry, and scullery in this spacious 70’s family home.

The kitchen was relocated to the eastern end of a large living area, encompassing the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. The north wall of this area is glass and opens up to the outdoor living area and pool. Adjacent to the kitchen, there is a laundry and pantry/scullery.

The client's requirements for the kitchen included island seating, specific appliances positioned for all family members, a bar area, and well-planned storage solutions.

To maximize available space, extensive use of drawers and inner slide-outs was incorporated into the design. Additionally, the clever use of voids allowed for additional storage options.

The material palette focused on texture. The decorative woodgrain surface is composed of Olefin film, which has a 3D embossed texture with a matte, tactile feel. Contrasting acrylic material is used, complementing the colour scheme of the appliances. The cabinetry pattern and grain provide a pleasing contrast to the grey and white veining of the natural stone benchtops and splashback.

Natural finish NZ Tawa floors and white walls create a soft, neutral backdrop for the heavily textured kitchen palette.

Kitchens aren’t always in the right place. Take this country home, for example. The original kitchen blocked access to the garden and faced inwards. Moving the kitchen back into the centre of the home and adding a large walk-in scullery and separate bar/entertainment area has completely transformed how my clients use their home and entertain their guests.

The kitchen is now a statement in the room – visually and functionally. The nucleus of the colour palette is the bold, marble-look porcelain used on the island front and the splashbacks; its grey and warm tones seamlessly link the existing wooden floor, the timber veneer cabinetry, and the 'concrete' engineered stone island and bevelled countertops.

The bar area, around the corner from the kitchen, was an essential part of the client's brief, as they entertain large groups often. A request for something 'glitzy' was delivered by adding open brass shelving and mesh accents, along with the functional aspects, including a sink, drinks fridge and storage.

The scullery is the engine room of this kitchen, containing a dishwasher, boiling-water tap, second sink, beverage centre, open and closed storage, and a large appliance garage hidden behind a set of bifold doors.

This penthouse apartment underwent a complete remodel, including all bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, paint and flooring. The driver for this renovation was a fresh feel, a more open social kitchen and improved workflow, along with some updated appliances.

The planning firstly focused on the layout and how to remove a wall, rehouse the fridge, and deal with all the re-routing of mechanical systems. Once this was organized and mapped out, attention could be turned to materials and detailing.

The original kitchen was a galley style with a wall dividing the kitchen from the dining room and the north-facing view of the city and harbour; while it did have a large opening in that wall, with a breakfast Bar, it tended to cut off the kitchen from the dining and living spaces, and of course, limit the amazing view. I removed this wall and also placed the refrigerator and a tall glasses cabinet onto a side wall to improve the aesthetic and flow of the kitchen.

The apartment interior is a classic traditional style, with some simple moulding details around doors and windows. I worked with that detail and designed cabinet doors with two planted mouldings attached to the face. This created a link to the existing feel of the apartment and further enhanced the classic penthouse apartment style.

Mid-tone stained oak doors and panels to the Island and base units add a contemporary element, and the warm tone works in with the ceramic flooring and dramatic neolith benchtops and splashback.
Resene Linen painted moulded panel doors create a crisp backdrop to the oak and stone. The dramatic veined Neolith Sintered stone benchtops and aged bronze handles bring all the elements together.

The kitchen user can now carry out tasks while interacting with guests and enjoying the city and harbour views

A statement mid-century modern home. I designed and supplied the kitchen when the house was built some 18 or so years ago – and while the kitchen itself was still looking great, appliances were starting to get to the end of their life.

It was therefore decided to replace the entire kitchen and give the space a fresh new look. A major change was opening up the scullery by removing a wall and cavity slider, which enhanced the conection between the two spaces.

Client Brief
The design for this kitchen formed part of a major renovation of a unique 1930s bungalow. The brief was for a traditional style kitchen with classic, understated detailing, split into two separate, but connected spaces; in effect two kitchens: The first, a semi-concealed area containing most of the food storage, and where the bulk of meals are prepared; the second, a fully functioning kitchen, albeit more of a entertaining hub, connected to the dining and living areas.

Designer’s Response
The first task was determining the location of the dividing wall between the two kitchens, making sure each area could function independently, while maintaining a flow between the both spaces. To that end, appliance selection and location was critical to the function of the kitchen. Attention was given to zoning of the areas and the tasks to be performed, therein, and this dictated the exact location of appliances, sinks and storage options. Included in the main, open-plan kitchen area was a bar, complete with a beverage fridge, hot-water tap and sink.
Honed Carrara marble was selected for the ‘show kitchen’ benchtops and splashback. In the ‘prep’ kitchen, the main workbench is engineered stone, chosen for its hardwearing properties. A simple, flat-panel cabinetry design, finished in a satin mid grey, is used for the doors and panels, and is accented by the aged-metal coating to the rangehood and bar.
The result is a timeless working/living space that will retain its relevance for many years to come.

Client Brief
The brief for this kitchen space was to increase natural light, update the appliances, and improve the overall workflow. A desire for colour and fun was also expressed, along with the opportunity to display a collection of ceramics.

Designer’s Response
The kitchen was to remain on a similar footprint, under the existing bulkheads. Firstly, an adjustment to the location of some of the appliances was attended to, including repositioning the ovens to the far end of the kitchen, thus improving the working space on the benchtop, and moving the dishwasher slightly, to improve its proximity to crockery storage and the eating area.

Planning was then undertaken to achieve a lighter feel to the space. An overhead rangehood was rejected in favour of a built-in downdraft, and, in place of overhead cabinets, a generous, custom-designed steel frame and glass shelving, with built-in LED lighting, was designed and installed. A compact table, in white oak, was incorporated at the end of the main benchtop for casual dining.

The playful colour and material palette included a subtle blush tone for the door and cabinetry finish, gold accents in the metalwork, and a stunning veined marble for the benchtops.

The room now feels much brighter, functions brilliantly, and has become a real focal point in the open-plan living space.

Client Brief
This kitchen was designed for an arts-and-crafts getaway home in a beautiful seaside location. The existing kitchen was badly in need of a revamp, but it was vital that replacement was sympathetic to the wonderful character and original style of the house.
While the overall kitchen space is quite compact, the request was that the bench space was maximised, new appliances inserted, out-of-sight storage designed for a few small appliances, plus space to store lots of platters and china. Improved workflow and a connection to the doors out onto deck were also asked for.

Designer’s Response
The original kitchen was an L-shape, with a short return that restricted movement into and around the kitchen. The new kitchen retains this L shape, but the return was dropped in favour of a small island/table (moveable) that dramatically improves workflow and accessibility.
This island was deliberately kept small and light so as not to create a visual barrier to the main part of the kitchen. It is also in close proximity to the dishwasher and dining table, and houses china and platters on an open shelf below.
Along the back wall, the pantry is split in two – one section under the bench, the other above. The top section sits on the bench and slightly back, providing storage for small appliances. The adjacent fridge is integrated to keep the panel doors prominent.
The bench space is generous for a small kitchen, and there is a small steel and timber shelf unit to keep everyday items within easy reach.
The grey-green colour and Shaker-style door and drawer panels, along with aged-metal paint effect and timber accents are all in keeping with the style of the rest of the home and contribute to a warm and inviting space. A subtly veined benchtop completes the look.

Client Brief
This kitchen was designed for an authentically styled Italian country villa. The original kitchen lacked the functionality and was starting to show its age. I was asked for an aesthetic that was more up-to-date, while still being sympathetic to the house style… with an added wow factor!
My clients regularly entertain large groups, so they needed a kitchen that had an excellent workflow – almost semi-commercial in nature – but it also needed to feel intimate and welcoming when it was just the family.
They were quite specific about some aspects of their new kitchen and provided detailed lists of items that needed to be stored and the way the space should be used. They also gave me an extensive list of appliances to be incorporated in the kitchen.
There was also the specific design challenge of working with solid masonry walls, ceiling and floor – none of which could be used to channel the services.

Designer’s Response
This was a large and complex kitchen to conceive and design, and great deal of time was spent on interpreting the brief and transferring that information into the working drawings.
The result is a hard-working kitchen, capable of accommodating a number of cooks at one time, with efficient flow in all the work centres. It can also cater for large groups with ease, whilst still being a lovely family kitchen.
The rich and varied mix of materials and fittings gives a relaxed, café feel, and it fits perfectly within the Italian architecture of the home.

Client Brief
The homeowners of this architecturally designed house wanted a contemporary kitchen in keeping with the style of their expansive new coastal home. It also had to adhere a footprint marked on the architectural plans, including the location of the island, and sit comfortably within an expansive living space that contained the dining and lounge areas.
Seating at the island, a foldaway bar, wine cabinet, large fridge and double ovens were also requested, as well as a work centre to match the kitchen cabinetry, in an adjacent room.

Designer’s Response
From the outset, I was respectful of the architecture, particularly the form of the vaulted, open-plan living space. Attention was given to a measure of symmetry regarding the rhythm of the cabinetry and even the placement of the sink and tap and the cooktop – all centred under the apex of the roofline. Anchoring the central cooking bench are larger elements – the fridge on one side, the wall ovens on the other.
The cabinetry along the back wall was developed to meet various storage and functional requirements, including a working pantry, behind folding doors that contains open shelving, a sink, and boiling water tap. In the same bank of cabinetry is the foldaway bar, with wine cabinet below and glass storage above.
The colour/material palette of taupe grey and bronzed metallic paint finishes coupled with leathered granite surfaces are in keeping with the overall look of the room. The addition of LED cabinet lights, including up-lighting, completes the scheme.

Client Brief
This Bathroom was designed as part of a new master suite extension. A room with a luxurious feel, and something in keeping with the beautiful traditional Italianate architecture of the rest of the home was requested – and as big a shower as the space allowed.

Designer’s Response
The existing architecture and generous proportions of the space helped shape my vision for the room, and the look and feel of a luxury European hotel bathroom became my goal. The resulting design has three primary foundations upon which it is built:
Symmetry: A tall storage cabinet marks the centre of the room. The vanities, mirrors, pendants, towel warmers spread out from that on each side. Then, at one end is a freestanding bath, at the other a large shower.
Curves: Early in the design a light-bulb moment came with the idea of a curved overlay pattern on the vanity fronts, based on the way a wave spreads and pulls back across the beach. Curves are repeated in the shelves on the opposite wall, the vanity top and legs. The bath was chosen for the beautiful wave-like designs on its sides.
Texture: The varied pallet of finishes include large format Marbletec and Tabor Mood tiles on the wall, striking hexagonal floor tiles, custom furniture-style vanities with metal leaf accents, and aged iron tapware and towel warmers.
This mix of materials gives a genuinely rich feel to the space, while still achieving a comfortable feeling to the room.

Here’s an article about this kitchen, published in Trends Magazine:

THERE’S A TRICK TO IT
Japanese puzzle box kitchen, designed by Shane George

Thinking outside the square is a process that enables one to turn a perceived negative into an achievable positive.
Kitchen designer Shane George had to literally think outside the square for the design of this kitchen, set within an open-plan space that included expansive glazing, which reduced the amount of usable wall space.
"The clients were looking to create a spacious kitchen, and had already chosen the appliances. They also wanted to use wood grain, to suggest a built-in furniture look."
"The space has extensive bifolding windows to a courtyard on one side and views to the inner harbor on the other. As a result, minimal wall space was left for tall elements. This, coupled with large appliances, required a design that would maximize storage space," says the designer.
Part of the solution was to fragment the traditional work triangle into a series of smaller triangles, grouping separate tasks together, and placing the associated appliances on the periphery and in the island.
George also replaced the traditional shelf arrangement in the pantry with pull-out drawers.
"The breakfast pantry, to the left of the refrigerator, reads like a typical pantry. However, the door folds back, giving access to the drawers, along with a slide-out shelf for the toaster and coffee-making provisions. A built-in coffee machine sits above the pantry."
Extra storage for items such as platters and wine glasses is accommodated in cupboards that flow from the kitchen into the hallway area.
"In this way, the space continues outside the kitchen proper, extending its function and lending a cohesive feel to the spaces," says George.
"Alternating the grain on the upper cabinetry a look the homeowner wished to achieve helps to break up the expanse of cupboards by adding a visual depth that plays off the other surfaces."

This nautical-themed kitchen design is inspired by my client’s love for green hues. The space features a white base palette that extends through the cabinetry and striking marble benchtops. Adjustable lighting with warm tones adds depth and ambience.

The marble island showcases a back-lit, custom-shaped cutout that serves as the focal point of the kitchen. To complete the maritime-inspired look, ship-deck-style flooring flows seamlessly to a wall of timber storage cabinets containing cleverly concealed appliances, enhancing the kitchen's clean and cohesive appearance.

This kitchen, designed for a lodge-style lakeside residence, showcases meticulously crafted timber cabinetry that embodies rustic elegance. The space is defined by its harmonious blend of materials: dramatically veined leathered granite countertops, richly stained oak cabinetry, and aged bronze accents. Together, these elements evoke a sense of both relaxation and durability. A prominent cooking range and a classic butler sink serve as focal points, emphasising the kitchen's purpose as a welcoming environment for culinary creativity and social gatherings.

This showroom kitchen embodies a striking interplay of robust materials and textural richness. The design showcases leathered granite benchtops, which give a rugged yet refined working surface. Bespoke steel shelving adds an industrial edge, while planked oak cabinetry introduces warmth and natural beauty. 

Dramatic tile splashbacks further enhance the visual impact, creating a focal point within the space. This kitchen seamlessly merges functionality with an inviting atmosphere, perfect for casual entertaining.

This kitchen was designed as part of a full refurbishment of a small apartment, used as a pied-à-terre (lock-up-and-leave) by my client when staying in Auckland. The request was for a compact, well-functioning, but also a beautiful space, with a light and fresh feel. I was asked to ‘open up’ the existing kitchen to the living area, and to take in the panoramic harbour view beyond. The adjacent dining space was to be retained.

To open up the space, one wall of the kitchen was removed and replaced with a slatted, black-stained timber screen to support an existing beam. The screen gives a soft screening of the island bench and kitchen from the living area. Wherever possible appliances have been integrated – even the small appliances are hidden away in a benchtop cupboard. This helps contribute to the clean, crisp aesthetic. 

The workflow is based along the L-shape cabinetry and bench space positioned on the remaining two walls, which contains the sink, dishwasher, hob and oven, with an integrated fridge at the end. A compact island provides additional bench space and storage for china and glasses. The island provides a great transition from meal prep area to drinks and entertaining space, and there’s a small wine cabinet accessible from the dining space. 

The material palette was deliberately kept to a minimum. The mix of white cabinetry, white Corian and softly veined white Neolith benchtops is accented by the negative-detailed, black-stained oak handles and shelving which slices through the white with dramatic effect.

This kitchen was designed for a detached Freeman’s Bay townhouse with a 1960s aesthetic interior and furnishings. The client requested a sleek modern kitchen with stainless steel benchtops, improved workflow in the main kitchen and into the panty, and also through an existing window into the garden.

The fridge and oven were relocated and housed in tall white cabinets. The hob and sink were placed in an L shape to contain the working area to one bench, and the pantry storage and worktop area were enhanced. Where possible, appliances were integrated to give clean lines.

The workflow and balance of the kitchen are now much improved and suit the client’s needs perfectly. The existing archways sit proudly next to the sleek lines of the new kitchen. The mix of black and white cabinetry, stainless steel benchtops, and a boldly patterned splashback add impact to the space. The full stainless steel fitout in the pantry, with concealed lighting, adds another dimension. The result is a super functional and inviting place to be.