The idea behind creating this page is to help you realise, understand and think about the different styles and their options when you are on the market for a quality custom made kitchen.
These descriptions are a guide only as often these styles are adapted or combined to accommodate the customers’ needs and wishes.
COUNTRY STYLE
Country or cottage style is a classic style built to give a warm, cosy feeling. This is mainly achieved by using new or reclaimed natural materials with a subtle finish. While country style kitchens are most popular on properties with acreage, it is frequently the preferred style in inner city suburbs where families enjoy the relaxing feeling of a style which reminds them of the beauty and laid back mentality of the countryside.
Type of doors
- Timber framed doors with flat or v-grooved panels or lining boards. Matt or rubbed back finish, often with rustic edges or shabby chic.
Benchtops
- Granite, marble or solid timber. Tiled with timber surround.
Splashbacks
- Mainly tiles: decorative, handmade, uneven edged, in a subway or herringbone pattern.
Colours
- lighter timbers such as knotty pine, darker timbers such as stained oak, lime wash, off whites.
Appliances
- Fireclay, copper or granite sinks, fridge and dishwasher integrated behind a kitchen door.
Features:
- Exposed hinges, often wrought iron, exposed timber beams, plate drying racks, open shelving.
FRENCH PROVINCIAL STYLE
French provincial kitchens are often the centrepiece of the house where hosts like to entertain and cook up a feast. French provincial style is an elaborate style with carefully crafted ornaments and detailed features which transform plain cabinets into a majestic furniture like kitchen.
Type of doors:
- Profiled doors, framed doors with panel inserts or a flat surface door with applied mouldings.
Benchtops:
- Granite, marble or solid timber. Often of a substantial thickness with elaborate shaped edges.
Splashbacks:
- Granite or marble to match the benchtops.
- Tiles, similar to the country style: handmade, uneven edged, subway or herringbone pattern.
Colours:
- Mainly off whites.
Appliances:
- Large freestanding stoves often with mantelpiece around it which houses the range hood.
- Integrated fridge and dishwasher.
Features:
- Mouldings above and under overhead cabinets, corbels, plinths and turned posts around the base cabinets.
- Overhead cabinets with glass doors, glazing bars and integrated downlights.
CONTEMPORARY STYLE
Contemporary style is a more traditional style defined by its clean lines, simple designs which gives you that timeless, clutter free look with a homely feel. High quality materials, combined with fine subtle finishes and designer appliances give your contemporary kitchen the wow-factor it deserves. While modern kitchen styles are ever changing and therefore easily outdated, the aim with the contemporary style is to safely design a kitchen which will look current and attractive through the years.
Type of doors:
- Profiled doors, solid timber with raised panels or shaker style doors.
Benchtops:
- Granite, reconstituted stone or solid timber. Often of a substantial thickness with elaborate shaped edges.
Splashbacks:
- Granite or marble to match the benchtops.
- Plain tiles or glass.
Colours:
- Softer colours such as whites, greys, beige or latte. Lighter timbers such as natural oak or ash.
Appliances:
- Built in induction or gas cooktops, semi integrated fridges and dishwashers but appliances can be stainless steel or black to give it a more modern look.
- Rangehoods can be integrated in a bulk head or can be a wall mounted canopy type.
Features:
- Subtle mouldings and a face frame around the doors and drawer will give the kitchen that quality look.
- Built in down lights.
- Deeper or dropped down cooking zones.
MODERN STYLE
The modern style is probably the hardest style to define. It can be a combination of smart design ideas with flat surfaces and horizontal lines, cool colour schemes and interesting or extravagant features. These kitchens are often integrated with technologically advanced hardware, elegant materials and the latest designer European appliances.
On the other hand it can be the pure simplicity of some designs that make a kitchen ‘modern’.
A modern kitchen can have the cabinets flow through into the living area to create a kids area, a desk or multimedia unit.
With a modern design you can be as creative and unique as you like.
Type of doors:
- Flat surface doors with the optional finger pull to make the kitchen handle free. Mostly with a gloss finish.
Benchtops:
- Reconstituted stone, stainless steel or laminate. Thickness can vary from 20mm to 60mm or more with sharp edges.
Splashbacks:
- Use of the same material as the benchtops.
- Painted glass.
- Powder coated aluminium composite with the optional print applied to it.
Colours:
- Mainly stark white with a gloss finish, often combined with reds, bright yellow or blue or sometimes black.
Appliances:
- Standout appliances, stainless steel or completely glass fronted.
- Rangehoods can be hidden away in overhead cabinets or be wall mounted.
Features:
- The use of prints and bright colours. Features in earthy materials such as concrete and veneer are becoming more popular within this style. This is a great option to make a modern styles feel cosier.
- Built in LED lighting with motion sensors and optional dimmers.
- Thick, floating shelves.