What Every Kitchen Needs…

In the heart of these homes, everything revolves around a functional and sociable island!

- Shane Barnard

Island style

Two different materials were used for the island’s countertop: stainless steel where cooking takes place and an attractive oak finish for the dining section.

The gas hob is integrated into the stainless-steel countertop, making cleaning easy.

Although the 3m x 1.5m island doesn’t have a water supply, there is a plumbed prep bowl to the left and a sink at the back.

Two oversized pendants (700mm D) provide ample light for cooking and create lovely pools of light that add to the ambience in this sociable kitchen. The standard height for pendants above an island is 800mm, but serious cooks may prefer them to be about 50mm lower, says Micke Fourie of Home’s new online design service Welcome Home. “If your family members are all tall, or the ceiling is very high, the pendants can be suspended up to 1 000mm above the island,” he explains.

1 Back to black

When Manuel and Jennifer Cernades bought this property for their furniture shop Orejen in Linden, Johannesburg more than 20 years ago, they had visions of one day building a home at the back and living right where they worked. “We finally got around to building the cottage extension and we plan on moving in in the next two years or so,” Jenny says.

The couple started building the extension and renovating the existing kitchen four years ago. “The kitchen was outdated and not ergonomic or functional at all. We love entertaining in the kitchen and I don’t want to be stuck there on my own,” Jenny explains. A big, inviting island where guests can join in the conversation and participate in the cooking was, therefore, high on their wish list.