Chic Cottage Kitchen

The house in Mangere Bridge has a green, semi-rural outlook and plenty of old-fashioned character. Its kitchen had neither the charm nor the basics, like soft-close doors or an induction cooktop. The owner wanted modern function without a hard, minimal look, and a room that suited the rest of the home. She was clear on one thing: no stone, acrylic or laminate on the bench. It had to be natural. We used American Ash, stained to a walnut tone, for the benchtop and floating shelves. Timber near a sink needs protection, so it was sealed with an epoxy urethane coating rated to last up to 15 years, then varnished for sheen. Regular re-varnishing keeps it looking right. The white cabinetry takes its cue from English country cottages. The drawer and door fronts are wrapped in Dezignatek Thermoform in the Ronda pattern for a vintage texture, finished with antique brass pulls. A ceramic butler's sink completes the look. White walls and cabinets bounce the light around so a small room feels bigger. American Ash benchtop and floating shelves, stained walnut and sealed White textured cabinet fronts in Dezignatek Thermoform (Ronda pattern) Ceramic butler's sink with antique brass handles Soft-close Hafele hinges and Hafele Alto drawer runners Condiment baskets fitted in selected cabinets Induction cooktop and rangehood Jin Park managed the project. He looks after many of our one-off kitchens and knows which materials will hold a particular style together. Full case study: Cottage Style Country Kitchen Renovation in Mangere Bridge, South Auckland