Gentle industrial

Deeper colours make this kitchen both cosy and cohesive.

A bold use of contemporary dark charcoal Resene Baltic Sea may not be a common choice in a lot of kitchens, but it can be just the ticket for making open-plan spaces feel softer and cosy.

A gentle industrial style kitchen

Resene Baltic Sea on the walls, with Resene Gunsmoke around the kitchen island and on the scullery door. The trims and ceiling are Resene Eighth Black White with floor in Resene Qristal ClearFloor.

When designer Kate Alexander was asked by owner Tom to make over the kitchen of a 1960s brick and weatherboard home, the colour was top of her design plan.

“We couldn’t change anything about the kitchen’s back oven and sink section, so our starting point was the establishing colour scheme of black, white and grey. The island also couldn’t shift, but we could shorten it and change the top and cladding,” she says.

Kate’s brief for the kitchen colour scheme was to make a statement, create boundaries, and trick the eye into thinking the space is more significant than it is.

“Dark colours recede while also providing an end-point, so we used a contemporary dark charcoal in Resene Baltic Sea along the back wall, including the dining area, kitchen and scullery.

“This backdrop colour packs a punch and ensures the tiled backsplash and exposed rangehood blend, and your focus shifts to the large expanse of the white bench instead,” Kate says. “Although a bold, dark choice, this created a cosy, intriguing space.”

The deep charcoal was paired with midgrey Resene Gunsmoke below the white island benchtop and on the large barn-style scullery door. The colour was chosen because it was a close match to the splashback tiles, while contrasting nicely with the resurfaced, natural wood floor coated in Resene Qristal ClearFloor. The look is pulled together with Resene Eighth Black White on the ceiling and trim areas.

Kate describes the finished look Tom wanted for the kitchen as “gentle urban industrial”.

“We wanted to make a statement but not overpower the rest of the space. The kitchen is part of an open-plan living room in a small-footprint house, so the overall look was for the whole house, not just the kitchen.

“The previous owners had the room feeling uber-industrial; masculine, and rough. It was also a complicated jumble with too many contrasting colours that made the space feel smaller than it was. We kept the bones in place and softened the edges, resulting in a warm and inviting kitchen.”

Top tip: If you’re painting cabinetry, use Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or Resene Enamacryl gloss for a hardwearing, durable finish. Or ask your kitchen supplier to use Environmental Choice approved Resene AquaLAQ, a fast-drying lacquer system for cabinetry, so you get the authentic Resene colour and quality finish.

In Kate's words

What’s your favourite part of the kitchen?

Kate: The scullery door. I love that you can close all the mess away, and it tricks the brain into thinking something new and gigantic could be behind the door.

Describe your cooking style.

Kate: When I have the time, I enjoy creating in the kitchen. I usually follow a new recipe and serve it to friends and family. I don’t enjoy reading recipes – if only someone would make a recipe book with diagrams – but I’ve come to realise they produce the best meals!

What recipe from this issue of dish would you most like to cook?

Kate: Baked, Spiced Basmati Rice and Lentil Pilaf with Kasundi followed by Croque Monsieur Croissant Bread and Butter Pudding.