POTTS POINT HOUSE

shines brightly as the star feature of this Sydney kitchen designed by David Flack and his team. Opening as it does onto a courtyard, it made sense to keep the focus firmly on striking natural materials. The clients sought to Fundamentally, the success of this kitchen comes down to its spatial planning and functionality. Once those elements were locked in, we started exploring the design aspects. We decided to play with the notion of two materials clashing to create tension and rhythm. We juxtaposed timber and brass, stone and brass, stone and stone, and stone and tiles. The kitchen comprises three main forms: a monolithic island bench, rear cabinetry in timber, brass and stone, and the large brass component. It has the right balance of classic forms and proportions with handmade and clashing elements. The concrete ceilings enhance the selected materiality – weight and volume are both at play here. I used timber veneer for its softness and warmth and Arabescato Vagli for its generous boulder shapes and warm white tones. The Vaticano stone, meanwhile, has a gorgeous movement and figuration I was very drawn to. Add in the Moroccan handmade tiles with their pearlescent lustre and the kitchen starts to feel relaxed. The handfinished raw brass introduces an element of depth and shine, and it also shows the hand that has crafted this space. The inclusion of the brass came at a premium but it was intrinsic to the design and narrative of the home. We always try to ensure our kitchens never suffer from budget constraints – designing to a budget is the best consideration you can have as a designer. The most important thing to do is never lose sight of the design, but likewise it’s crucial not to lose sight of costs either. They absolutely love the space! This kitchen is where the owners spend most of their days – as well as being a functional chef’s kitchen, it is also a place for meeting, working and socialising.