Making a case for considering our everyday appliances as carefully as we do our other interior details, Nicholls Residence uses a seamlessly integrated suite of Fisher & Paykel pieces that are as easy to use as they are on the eye.
When tasked with the brief of bringing the rear of this historic Melbourne home into the 21st Century, the team at renowned architecture and design firm, Tecture, were able to dissect the dwelling at its midpoint, opening the back and creating a space into which they could extend the home up and out — adding new living, dining and kitchen areas perfect for the needs of a growing family.
Throughout the home, a sleek, contemporary finish was delivered via a monochromatic base palette, natural stone and cool, linear touches — from steel framing to the timber used both on the floors and cabinetry. Colour has been introduced carefully, where pops of deep mauve meet the occasional brushes of blue or green, offering just the right amount of intrigue to give the minimalist design some depth. And while a contemporary air prevails here, the home’s ornate original detailing is still a major feature, and nods to the residence’s history.
But it is in the kitchen where the design of this home really sings, exemplifying Tecture’s clever interpretation of the brief. From looks alone, the Nicholls Residence’s kitchen is a clean, pared-back affair, with an aesthetic anchored by undulating grey marble and crisp, white timber cabinets and drawers. Crucially, Tecture decided to incorporate a suite of seamlessly integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances to ensure the space was highly functional, without disrupting the flow of the design.
From the spacious gas cooktop, to the combination oven microwave and warming drawer — all in Fisher & Paykel’s Minimal style, the appliances have been meticulously placed (designed to recede into the background). There’s even a Fisher & Paykel Integrated Wine Column cabinet, offering the optimal storage environment for a premium wine collection.
Elsewhere, a Fully Integrated Dishwasher is made to be almost invisible, built into the kitchen’s slatted timber cabinetry, while an Integrated French Door Refrigerator Freezer is tidily tucked behind closed doors, keeping the look cohesive and clean.
Recognising that not every practical element of a kitchen can be hidden behind cupboards, Fisher & Paykel’s unique options are ideal for a setting in which design is at the forefront. The Minimal style is made to meld into the background and, at this address, has been utilised perfectly to help the unique, modern space come to life.
