Casa de Playa de Verano
2025 NKBA Excellence in Design Awards showcase
Photography: John Williams
“A summer Spanish beach house” was the brief for this entertainers’ kitchen in a Waikato family home. Textural layering of natural materials – timber veneer, recycled European oak, travertine and Charleston limestone – and a mix of soft curves and linear forms evoke that summery Mediterranean feel.
Durable stainless-steel benchtops are used in work zones for easy maintenance, says Jenny Holmes of Designmarked Kitchens, and the expansive travertine island with integrated dining serves as a hub for entertaining. For added functionality a scullery was created by removing an adjacent laundry wall. Stone pillars optimise ergonomic benchtop heights for the sink and hob, creating visual interest and adding balance.
This kitchen is a thoughtful fusion of beauty and function, designed to blend seamlessly with the home’s renovation and coastal environment while providing an efficient, visually striking and serene space for both cooking and socialising.
