My recent nostalgia for the black kitchen of my childhood has made me more alert to black kitchens. And then they seem to be everywhere. And so my moaning about the bland whiteness of many kitchens failed to take account of a wonderful factory (lolly in fact) conversion here in Melbourne virtually on my back door step in Prahran.
This is the home architect Stephen Jolson has created for himself and his family. The work architects do for themselves is always so interesting, a true reflection of their soul and innermost thoughts, rather than some (potentially tasteless) client's dreams or desires.
This conversion includes a grassy lawn on the first level, fingerprint recognition entry (is that for real? If so I want it for my house), a television which emerges from the ceiling to hang next to the fireplace, separate playroom and an outside steel bonfire which is lit by remote control.
And isn't this black kitchen something else? The image to the left is a blown up photograph of vats from the confectionary factory - behind it is storage and other kitchen collateral.
He has really nailed this area, I think, by incorporating the old rustic dining table into the space.
I do wonder however if the black would smudge. We have black cabinetry and it does tend to show fingermarks a bit.
He is a bit partial to all white as well as all black. Although as he says, it is a warm white, not cool.
And here is some work he did on an apartment in East Melbourne (Claudio Silvestrin in collaboration with Carr Design Group and Stephen Jolson).
Isn't it funny, both kitchens have the same black bowl on the bench! Maybe it's a good luck charm.
And of interest to me given my current project to fix my son's room, is the bedroom he has created for his 4 year old son.
Check out more of his projects here.
He has a design philosophy which I fully endorse. As he said in an interview:
'I don't want to have to look at a huge plasma television. I'd rather look at the texture of the timber or the fabric and rugs. Similarly, with the kitchen, it's a piece of joinery, not a kitchen. It has all the practical functionality of a kitchen and heaps of storage but not one appliance is a feature.'
(except that bowl, I should add).
6 comments:
OMG, he has got himself a new fan right now. The way he combines the materials, colours and that blown up image!! And his design philosophy is HOW I WANT IT. He is so right about that.
Oh.oh.oh..I looooove this so much, thank you Jane, for the inspiration!
I have a black cabinet as well btw, and yes...lots of fingermarks. pffff..
I do like it, Jane, but find this minimalist look rather uninspiring....there is nothing to talk about and nothing to look at, but I think that it is very practical and easy to keep clean, but, I don't think that I could live with it. XXXX
Sleek - love the use of a monochromatic palette in this kitchen. But I can't imagine cooking in it - the jar of peanut paste would look out of place and the trouble to memorise where all the appliances were hiding would kill my husband! Great post, though. Anita
Great inspiration! I love how he balances out the glossy black with the warm wooden dining table. Very much my taste! Have a nice weekend and thanks for your lovely comments!
HI Jane
Well I love this second image for the gorgeous timber table, the blacks and greys balance well with it. I do love timber!! and dark timber!!
Have a great weekend. x Julie
Thanks for your comments this week.!!
I had never seen black bathtubs or sinks or toilets before I lived in Melbourne in the 70's! But I can tell you my initial pleasure grew thin when I had to clean it with white powder! Awful mess. Better in the kitchen!
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