Designer
Sarah Jennings (Carlielle Kitchens)

Photography
Jamie Cobel

Auckland

A minimalist, architectural kitchen defined by seamless timber joinery, warm materials, and refined everyday functionality.

Developed from the architect’s initial concept in collaboration with the homeowners, our in-house designer Sarah Jennings refined the kitchen’s planning, material palette and detailed functionality. Particular attention was given to aligning the full-height joinery, integrating the concealed scullery entrance and resolving the cooking, storage and appliance zones without interrupting the kitchen’s calm architectural form.

At the heart of the design is a strong emphasis on proportion, alignment, and detail. Every element has been carefully considered to achieve visual balance and spatial continuity, resulting in a kitchen that feels both highly resolved and effortlessly liveable. The open-plan layout centres around a generous island, establishing a natural social hub for family living and entertaining while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding spaces.

A cohesive palette of timber veneer introduces warmth and tactility, set against polished concrete flooring and softly painted wall surfaces. This contrast creates depth without visual noise, allowing the joinery to anchor the space while maintaining a light and timeless presence. Handle-less cabinetry further enhances the seamless expression, allowing the form and materiality to take precedence.

An integrated wall of full-height cabinetry conceals extensive storage, while a concealed doorway discreetly leads through to the scullery. A carefully placed aged brass open shelving niche introduces warmth and visual relief, offering space for curated display and personalisation within the otherwise minimal composition.

The scullery continues the architectural language of the main kitchen, maintaining full-height joinery and refined detailing. A deliberate material transition to matte white acrylic introduces durability and practicality, while maintaining visual consistency through restrained colour and form. The result is a highly functional secondary workspace that supports the main kitchen without detracting from its architectural intent.

Together, the kitchen and scullery achieve a balance between precision and warmth, delivering a timeless, functional space that is deeply considered yet easy to live in every day.

Key Materials & Features

• Neptune Cabinet System
• Florim Yamuna Matte Silk benchtop & splashback
• Vidaspace Shinnoki pre-finished Ivory Oak veneer (kitchen)
• Laminex Matte Haze acrylic (scullery)
• Bespoke Powersurge aged brass display shelving and custom scullery door handle
• Blum Legrabox Matte Orion Grey drawers
• LED task and ambient lighting throughout