Heritage Design Fusion

Imagine stepping into a kitchen, housed within a grand villa from the early 1900s or a historical building with gorgeous ornate features. The architecture tells a story of timeless elegance-high ceilings adorned with intricate crown mouldings, arched doorways or even ceilings that frame the space, and wainscoted walls that whisper of craftsmanship from a bygone era. Yet, the kitchen itself is a seamless fusion of past and present, where classic charm meets modern functionality.

Below is a Kitchens By Design example of fusing a contemporary modern design into a space of years gone by. The space was the former heritage tearooms in Auckland’s Farmers Department store designed by Roy Lippincott in the 1930’s with his design including the ornate plaster ceilings and even the light pendants hanging from the ceiling.

The project of turning the tearooms into a penthouse apartment was a huge task, with Kitchens By Design engaged for the kitchen design. The kitchen was photographed in 2020 and remains a stunning modern design statement within this heritage penthouse.

Symmetry played a big part in the form of the kitchen; the whole structure was purposefully centred in the space. Behind (and built into) the tall cabinetry is more storage, plus a small prep area and coffee nook.  

For more information click here to view the project case-study.

Other examples of kitchen spaces where history and innovation can coexist effortlessly are shown below. The fusion of black and white with modern and traditional elements can be both timeless and striking. 

The example on the left with its huge black doors and windows provide a flood of natural light to a stunning combination of traditional black cabinetry and a striking black and white marble composite material used for the waterfall island and backsplash, with large vault style canopy above oven. All elements taking advantage of the elaborate height of the ceilings in the space. 

The second example in a renovated Devonport villa, uses a plain simple door style but leverages the panelled ceilings and elaborate scotia to tie back the pre-1900's history of the house.    

Image Credit: Left: @vinh.gp /  Right: John Russel

Your Kitchens By Design designer can guide you on all the considerations when it comes to seamlessly blending heritage features with modern kitchen design, from colour palette, materials, door styles, lighting, hardware and all the way through to appliances.  

Beyond just the aesthetics and function of your Kitchen, there are many facets to consider when working on a heritage building or extensive renovation of an older house. Here are some of the key considerations when undertaking a renovation:

• Are there any council restrictions on the preservation of heritage elements (moudings, doors, windows, colour palette)?
• What heritage design features do you want to retain or even rebuild during the heritage renovation?
• Scale of rooms and the ability to create modern open spaces with a blend of modern and bespoke custom cabinetry fit for the space.
• The way colours and materials can come together to fuse heritage with modern kitchen technology and appliances.
• Our ability at Kitchens By Design to collaborate with your architect and/or builder to complete the project and comply with any council or heritage requirements.  

If you have a heritage project and need a kitchen for today's living, whether modern or traditional in style, we have the expertise to help deliver your vision. Talk to us today, or pop into the showroom.