Shibui
This expansive, high-end kitchen fit-out was part of a full home project that began its planning stages during the COVID period. The clients originally selected a walnut veneer, but due to post-pandemic supply constraints, it became unavailable by the time manufacturing began. Our team collaborated closely with the clients to source an alternative — ultimately landing on a recut American White Oak, which was finished with a custom stain to emulate the warmth and tone of walnut.
The overall design was inspired by Japanese aesthetics, focusing on simplicity, balance, and natural materials. The kitchen features a large working island housing the sink with the hob, oven, and fridge easily accessible — designed with both functionality and flow in mind. A secondary ‘floating’ island, used as a servery for entertaining, posed an exciting engineering challenge. It was structurally supported yet visually weightless, creating a stunning focal point. This island also required two full slabs of Dekton Laurent, which would traditionally create a visible join. Instead, we designed a central timber insert — not only resolving the join but adding a bespoke feature that breaks up the surface in a refined and intentional way.
The cabinetry is predominantly push-to-open, maintaining the clean lines and minimalist intent. However, for two Hafele Hawa pocket door systems and an integrated dishwasher, we crafted custom oak handles, stained to match the veneer. These were rebated into the door edges for a seamless and discreet finish.
The oak veneer wraps around the fridge wall and flows into the adjoining hallway, anchoring the kitchen within the larger architectural context of the home. Every detail in this project reflects scale, precision, and high-end materiality — all executed with a focus on subtlety and balance.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN CREDITS:
Cabinetry// Prime Panels Recut American White Oak Veneer Vertical Grain with custom stain Hardware// Blum Legabox Orion Grey with soft close runners Carcass// Prime Panels Anthracite Handles// Custom Solid Oak stained to match veneer Benchtops// Dekton Laurent, Dekton Kreta
Photography// Val Burns Photography
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