Moments in the journey
Congratulations on your new home, it has real wow factor! In the planning phase, what were the main requirements for your kitchen?
For our family the key requirements were to incorporate excellent storage and functionality, and crucially having that golden ‘work triangle’ to make the kitchen easy to use. Visually, we wanted an open beautiful space in which to entertain friends and family. It’s important for me to be able to cook and interact with guests or family.
What influenced your decision to engage with Mastercraft?
Customer service! From the moment I walked into the Mastercraft Kitchens Kapiti showroom Amber was able to quickly understand my vision for this project. She was flexible and extremely patient with changes; nothing was ever an issue. We were impressed with her knowledge and expertise around kitchen layout and functionality, and she offered some great tips that have made a huge difference.
We love the open shelving in the scullery. How does this impact the functionality of a kitchen for you?
It’s great to be able to reach things so easily! I love that my two-and-a-half-year-old can reach out for her own plates and cups. Also, you tend to use things more because you can actually see what you’ve got. Having a scullery is awesome, you can never have too much storage.
Were there any stand-out moments of the design and build process?
When I received the first lot of drawings it was exciting to see my vision come to life on paper. And then on the actual installation day when we were seeing this project, which we had worked on for months, becoming reality – it was a dream come true.
What has made the biggest impact for your family?
We now spend more time together in the kitchen than any other room in the house as a family. The large island means that my daughter can be drawing, while I cook dinner and have a chat with my husband at the same time.
How about reactions from friends and guests?
Guests tend to compliment the size of the pantry and tall cabinets. We have high ceilings, so it just made sense to have bigger cabinets (you can never have too much storage, right?)
The laundry is also a hit. It is often a room people don’t invest in or is merely a second thought. The combination of clean white and wood, with great lighting and beautiful Brazilian Tavola tiles used on the splashback are stunning.
What could you now not live without?
Our large laundry. It’s seven meters long and provides us with so much space for storage (sheets, towels, containers, and the hot water cylinder!) And then all the space for folding, washing and drying. It’s honestly a game changer. There was so much thought behind the design to ensure it suited our needs.
Do you have any advice for others at the start of their kitchen journey?
Whether you are building new or renovating ensure to engage with someone with experience and knowledge. It makes all the difference.
By Mastercraft Kitchens Kapiti, designed by Amber Downie.
Photos by Jamie Cobel
