Black beauty

Decorating articles and inspiration from TrendsIdeas

Kitchens are often designed to disguise their functionality and this kitchen is no exception. Here, painting the entire kitchen in Resene Nero created a furniture-like appeal and gave the room a heightened sense of depth.

Few things have a greater impact on a kitchen design than its material finishes – and so, by extension, its colour.

Architect Evelyn McNamara designed this kitchen as part of a wider renovation and contemporary extension to a classic villa. The kitchen connects with the black, rectilinear add-on it forms part of, but there were other considerations too.

"The owners wanted the kitchen to be both bold and recessive, since it's such a large element within the open-plan living space," says McNamara. "In response, we opted to go with all black. We finished the wall that backdrops the kitchen in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Nero and continued the colour on the cabinetry."

To complete the dramatic picture, the benchtops are in Corian Deep Nocture.

"The black on black aesthetic makes the kitchen cabinetry seem more like built-in furniture joinery, enabling it to sit easily within the main living space."

The black tones also help to create an illusion of space and depth in the room.

"Simplicity was also key to this design as the kitchen had to be fully functional, while appearing more like a bar area when not in use," says McNamara.