Being busy has become the norm, and now more than ever, time for relaxation is treasured. And so our home should be a tranquil space that allows us to regroup for the next day’s tasks. Careful attention needs to be given to the design details in spaces where household chores are done – primarily the kitchen and bathroom/laundry – in order to make daily life more enjoyable.
Kitchens and bathrooms that function as efficiently as possible are often spaces where we don’t notice the architecture – the spaces work as they should and the clever details (that make it all work) recede into the background. There is often a shared palette of materials and a similar level of detail and finesse. In MA Architects’s Carlton project, subtle greys and whites are punctuated by striking black metal framing elements in both the kitchen and bathroom. The industrial aesthetic of Aileen Sage Architects’s kitchen bench is mirrored in the construction of the vanity unit in the main bathroom, and the glamour of the shiny gold cupboards of Fiona Lynch’s kitchen is carried through into luxurious finishes and fittings used in the bathrooms.
This consistent approach to the kitchen and bathroom doesn’t negate the scope for making a design statement. In this issue you’ll see sculpture-like freestanding baths that give a focal point to the bathroom, such as those in the projects by Rob Kennon Architects and Workroom, and custom-designed joinery units that give personality to the projects by Matt Elkan Architect and CO-AP.
Daily chores can be more fun if the spaces you use make you feel great. Filled with beautiful interiors and new ideas for the kitchen and bathroom, this issue is sure to offer something that will inspire you to create your own sanctuaries.
Katelin Butler, editor
Source
Archive
Published online: 12 Jun 2015
Words:
Katelin Butler
Images:
Armelle Habib,
Derek Swalwell,
Peter Bennetts,
Sharrin Rees,
Toby Scott
Issue
Houses: Kitchens + Bathrooms, June 2015