Coastal Calm Meets Natural Elegance: Cronin Kitchens Brings Atmosphere to Life in New Zealand

Tucked within New Zealand’s breathtaking coastal landscapes, where golden beaches meet dark rugged shores, Morgan Cronin, Owner and Designer at Cronin Kitchens, reimagines the modern kitchen and bathroom using Neolith’s Atmosphere Collection. Famed for his refined approach to space and materials, Cronin offers a uniquely local interpretation of luxury; relaxed, elemental, and deeply inspired by nature.

A Natural Connection

When Morgan first encountered the Atmosphere range, it immediately struck a chord. “I was impressed to see that the colours corresponded so well to NZ,” he shares. “The palette reflects our natural beauty, the light sands of our East Coast, the darker volcanic sands of the West, the white cliffs of Cape Kidnappers, and the creamy-yellow tones of Hinuera stone.” These geological references aren’t just poetic, they’re personal. Cronin’s deep-rooted connection to the beach and New Zealand’s wild coastlines set the tone for the designs that followed.

Designing a Dream Beach Home

Driven by his love for the ocean, Cronin envisioned a space that would feel perfectly at home in his dream coastal retreat. “I wanted the kitchen and bathroom to feel like a seamless extension of the beach environment,” he explains. “Sophisticated in form, but relaxed and calming in its aesthetic.” The kitchen takes center stage in this imagined sanctuary, featuring Neolith Rapolano, a warm, earth-toned surface that anchors the space with a sense of grounded serenity. “Rapolano was an easy choice,” says Cronin. “It mirrors the soft, sun-washed tones of our East Coast. The textures and finish evoke that gentle, lived-in luxury, a quiet elegance that doesn’t shout for attention.”

In contrast, the bathroom makes a bolder statement with Rapolano, introducing a deeper, more dramatic tonality.

“The bathroom needed a touch more intensity,” he says. “Ignea adds that depth while still tying in naturally with the broader palette of the home. It creates a sense of retreat and reflection.”

Grounded in Place

Every detail of Cronin’s design is influenced by its sense of place, not through overt motifs or theming, but through authentic material choices and contextual awareness.

“The background is the local element,” Morgan notes. “It’s the landscape itself that informs the palette and textures. All the materials and accessories I used are locally available, nothing feels forced or out of context.”

This grounded approach ensures that the final design isn’t just beautiful, it’s believable.

It’s a kitchen and bathroom that could truly belong in any of New Zealand’s coastal homes, balancing form and function with a deep reverence for the land.

Timeless and tactile, Cronin’s interpretation of Neolith’s Atmosphere range offers a fresh take on luxury, one that embraces calmness, character, and a profound connection to nature. In his hands, stone becomes more than a surface - it becomes a story of place, personality, and the enduring elegance of the New Zealand coastline.

Neolith’s Atmosphere Range

Neolith’s Atmosphere range exemplifies the brand’s commitment to combining cutting-edge aesthetics with sustainable innovation. Within this collection, Neolith Ignea continues to garner international acclaim after winning the ‘Sustainability’ category at the NKBA 30s Choice Awards and being shortlisted as ‘Product of the Year’ at the 2025 Mix Interiors Awards. Celebrated for its outstanding design, durability, and eco-conscious composition, featuring up to 98% recycled material. This wave of accolades reinforces Neolith’s position as a global leader in sustainable surfaces, demonstrating how the Atmosphere range sets a benchmark for performance and responsibility in contemporary design.

Discover the full range of colours and possibilities by visiting www.neolith.com/nz