The Heart of the Home - Landmark Homes Award-Winning Kitchen

Kate and her family had been dreaming of building their ideal home for years. After living in their 1950s bungalow for ten years, they decided it was time for a transformation. Because they loved their location, the Boydens decided on a Remove and Rebuild approach, something Landmark Homes specialise in.

The family envisioned a stylish, modern home with a black and cedar exterior that maximised space and functionality.

“I liked the style of Rogan Nash Architects. And when I was looking around at builders, I saw that Landmark had done a very similar sort of style to the type of house we wanted,” she says.

“When we met with Julie and Warwick from Landmark Homes Auckland Central West and described our vision, they immediately understood. Warwick actually suggested the idea of consulting with Rogan Nash for our project, which we were thrilled about! It gave us the best of both worlds – an architectural design and the oversight of an expert build team.”

Inspired by the minimalistic Wabi-sabi and Japandi styles, Kate’s kitchen is a masterpiece of design and functionality. Featuring a spacious island benchtop, a hidden bar, and a scullery, the design incorporates natural timber, a mix of earthy tones, and sleek, modern elements to achieve a balanced aesthetic. 

“This design incorporated both the natural and organic feel, as well as the natural timber look the clients used in other parts of their home,” 

says Landmark Homes Auckland Central  West franchisee, Julie Aldridge. 

“The two-toned timber cupboard finishes add warmth to the kitchen and complement the oak flooring beautifully. We believe that the collaboration between Landmark and the client has resulted in an amazing space that the client truly loves.”

The kitchen serves as the heart of the home, a central hub for both daily life and social gatherings. “We wanted the kitchen to be the focal point of the home. It's where we spend most of our time as a family and where we entertain our friends. The design really makes it the centrepiece of our home,” says Kate. “When you come up the stairs, you're immediately met with this fabulous kitchen, which creates a real wow factor.”

One of the standout features of this award-winning kitchen is its generous and cleverly designed storage solutions. The tall cabinetry, reaching an impressive 2.7 metres, makes the most of every inch of space. Features such as hidden drawers within the main drawers and a divided cupboard beneath the ovens for storing oven trays make the kitchen an enjoyable, organised space to be in. 

“Every element of the design enhances daily living with ample storage, including drawer solutions by Blum,” says Paul Taylor, chairman of the TIDA judging panel. “The judges noted the meticulous attention to detail and perfectly balanced proportions in this kitchen.” 

A unique feature is the hidden bar. Seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry, it reveals a mirrored splashback and LED lighting when opened, providing a stylish yet practical space for entertaining. 

“We love the hidden bar. It’s perfect for when we’re hosting friends and family,” says Kate.

The kitchen also boasts a range of modern appliances, including double ovens from Fisher and Paykel and a concealed dishwasher, which add to the seamless look and functionality of the space. 

“I feel like quite a chef now. This beautiful new kitchen has really made me want to cook more and get creative again,” Kate says.

Other features include a black matte fridge, black sinks, and recessed cupboards above the gas hob, all contributing to the cohesive design. The scullery replicates the dual timber feature of the main kitchen but with a cost-effective melamine benchtop that has a marble-like texture, mirroring the main benchtop while keeping costs down.

The combination of engineered stone for the island benchtop and splashback, paired with classic stainless steel for the hob benchtop, creates a timeless elegance with a modern sensibility. 

“The different shades of timber, the beautiful stone top bench, and the mix of metal elements all came together to create a kitchen that's not only functional but also a pleasure to be in,” Kate says.

This blend of thoughtful design and innovative features has resulted in a kitchen that not only meets the needs of a busy family but also stands out as an award-winning centrepiece of the Boyden home.

The new kitchen has had a huge impact on the Boyden family’s lifestyle. “We used to live in such a small home that we couldn’t entertain the way we wanted to. Now, I love coming home, and we love having people over and showing off our new space,” says Kate. “It’s absolutely life-changing.”

The new kitchen has had a huge impact on the Boyden family’s lifestyle. “We used to live in such a small home that we couldn’t entertain the way we wanted to. Now, I love coming home, and we love having people over and showing off our new space,” says Kate. “It’s absolutely life-changing.”

Don’t put off your dream home any longer. With Landmark Homes, you can create a home you love coming home to. Contact your local Landmark Homes team today and let’s get started.