City Beach Kitchen by Western Cabinets

Designer: Alysia Pekel
Photographer: DMax Photography
Cabinet Maker: Western Cabinets
Stone Mason: Euro Contracting

Stunning juxtaposition highlights a refined design that still keeps a few secrets.

There’s more to this sparkling new kitchen in City Beach, Western Australia, than first meets the eye — which certainly says something, considering its stunning juxtaposition of earthy porcelain-clad benchtops and splashbacks inspired by volcanic stones, with a veritable wall of exquisite matte black pearlescent cabinetry.

Less obvious is the masterful appliance selection, save for a wall-mounted gaggle of Gaggenau’s finest — a 76cm 400 Series Pyrolytic Built-In Oven, matching Compact Built-In Combi-Steam Oven, plus a Warming Drawer — and the pair of Qasair 50cm Rangecraft Island Rangehoods that take centre stage over the large island bench.

The natural tones from the benchtop and overlooking wash-up bay complement the home’s rammed earth walls and provide contrast for seamless micro-cement flooring, complete with under-floor heating.

Full-height cabinetry supplied by Western Cabinets conceals myriad cupboards, internal drawers, pull-outs and dedicated appliance cabinets set with retractable doors. It also provides cover for a sizeable cool room, along with a Sub-Zero integrated column freezer. Banks of drawers built into the island bench create yet more useful storage.

The washing-up area, fully framed in Dekton’s 12mm Trilium surfacing, incorporates top-mount rebate lighting to illuminate the double-bowl sink. A second sink accompanied by a Zip tap occupies a corner of the island bench, allowing the Gaggenau 90cm 400 Series Full Surface Induction Cooktop to take pride of place on the main island with its adjunct informal dining area. A fully-integrated Miele dishwasher is yet another appliance that’s conveniently located, yet masterfully concealed by Alysia Pekel’s audacious design.