Dark Horse

WITH ITS STRIKING CONTRAST OF MOODY TIMBER AND CRISP NEUTRALS, THIS KITCHEN IS THE EPITOME OF MONOCHROMATIC STYLE

- Vanessa Keys

When Alicia Winter was tasked with designing the interiors for a new apartment building overlooking the ocean on Sydney’s northern beaches, she envisaged a design that would reflect the coastal landscape and pay homage to the region’s history. “The area is a land of timber-getters, so the inspiration came from the mountainous land as well as the surrounds,” says Alicia, director of Soul Interior Architecture. The jewel of the space is a dark beauty of a kitchen starring Laminex cabinetry in a dramatic matt black, a tone that’s become increasingly popular as kitchens step up as the decorative centerpieces of the home. The color, Laminex’s Absolute Black, “is incredibly durable, it doesn’t show up fingerprints and is easy to keep clean,” she explains. Another plus: as black recedes, it creates the illusion of space and allows the surrounding colors to come to the foreground. Light-oak floors warm up the monochrome palette, while the open shelving allows the owners to put their personal style on display. Like the little black dress, it’s a look that won’t date. “This color is eternally classic,” says Alicia.

finishes

Contrasting materials are the secret to this kitchen’s good looks: the hero stone benchtop from Essastone (above) offsets the head-turning beauty of the Laminex Absolute Black cabinetry, while the oak flooring injects the space with warmth. The complementary tones echo the history of the area and its mountainous surrounds, according to interior designer Alicia, while the stone island bench is a nod to the home’s coastal setting.