Black or White?

HOLLYWOOD GLAM

Black cabinetry is a great way to bring a little sophistication into your kitchen design. Pop colours, shiny surfaces and glitzy lighting take chic black cupboards to the next level of luxury.

On the 2019 season of Three’s The Block NZ, Lisa and Ribz took the all-black kitchen cabinetry trend and put a Hollywood spin on it with vivid blue walls and statement lighting. Their decision to combine finishes in Timber Veneer ‘Nero Fino’ and Acrylic ‘Matt Noir’ from PlaceMakers creates a high-end look.

“Textured finishes are the secret to making all-black cabinets feel warm and luxurious,” says PlaceMakers kitchen category manager Liz Aitken.

A Caesarstone® benchtop in ‘Raw Concrete’ adds a softer element that’s a little bit industrial, in keeping with the team’s black Burns & Ferrall Elleci Composite sink. Hidden storage keeps the whole set-up sleek and uncluttered.

SCANDI STYLE

The minimalism that characterises Nordic design has been trending for several years now and shows no signs of fading. Scandi style is all about stripping away detail so natural light, simple forms and the foliage of nature can shine, and this is what Sophia and Mikaere demonstrated with their PlaceMakers kitchen design.

A solid kitchen island in Caesarstone® ‘Calacatta Nuva’ is the definition of elegant simplicity, while cabinets in Acrylic ‘Matt Neo Glacier’ provide a clean backdrop for family life. A textured splashback adds detail without detracting from this kitchen’s simple symmetry.

Storage is especially key for this swept-clean aesthetic, so Sophia and Mikaere installed Hettich modules for spices, bottles, plates and knives inside their cupboards, as well as a sleek pull-out pantry for maximum convenience.

“Built-in storage is simply the easiest way to ensure a clutter-free kitchen,” says Liz.