To treat your kitchen island as a simple extension of the existing design is to lose out on its transformative potential (a comment I wish I given more thought to a few months ago!).
Currently there is a wow factor moment being reserved for the kitchen island. These formerly dull workhorses have now been acknowledged as an opportunity to create something special.
With people moving through and flowing around the space, designers are looking for shape contrasts against the surrounding design language. They are embracing curved edges, mixing materials and sacrificing storage to create bold, sculptural structures.
These unexpected shapes are visually interesting and present modern day family living reimagined.
Creating such a dynamic implies you want the whole house to revolve around it, which we know that people inevitably do. People always gravitate towards the kitchen.
If your kitchen is ripe for a renovation, inspiration starts here….
Wood Islands
While we typically associate stone as the go to kitchen material, wood – with its variety of species, shades and finishes – can hold its own as a statement feature. With the opportunity to showcase panels of different scales and the precise craftsmanship required for bespoke cabinetry, there is no denying that wood is a wonder material.
Image Source: The Local Project | Design: Auhaus Architecture
Image Source: Homes To Love
Image Source: Design Milk | Design: Luigi Rosselli Architects
Stone Kitchen Islands
Stone kitchen islands seem de rigueur these days, serving triple duty as breakfast bar, worktop and storage concealer. No longer limited to a standard, square block, they now also act as s work of art to showcase a striking material in a sizeable slab.
Installations with few ornaments or cupboards allow the stone to shine, while a backdrop of cabinets in a darker tone adds to the feeling of depth and luxuriousness in the space.
Image Source + Design : Mim Design
While marble or stone is synonymous with luxury in a kitchen, we’re seeing the desire for variety of depth and colour, and unique veining in the stone. The more imperfect the better.
Image Source: DPages
The Kitchen Island Meets Dining Table
We are huge fans of integrating a dining table into the kitchen island, and we love this clever adaption where the wood from the dining table slices all the way through the island itself, to create a beautiful feature in the marble block. The break in the marble has the added effect of softening the overall installation.
Image Source: Elle Décoration UK
Colour Blocking
Working with a single shade for your kitchen and carrying it through to the island creates a contemporary edge, especially with a matt finish on the cabinets. Finish off the look with a bold material that carries through your chosen hue.
Image Source: The Local Project | Design: Handelsmann and Khaw
We all know that trends come and go. Some do stick around, while others fizzle out quickly. We’d like this one to be a keeper!
