Natalie du Bois has collected many awards for her contemporary kitchens which always have a carefully considered mix of materials and a unique flair.

In this stunning project, the clients loved the look of white marble flooring, so finding a material that would give some softness to balance the room was needed. Natalie opted for the textured natural warmth of American Oak from the Prime Art Veneer range for the cabinetry, complemented with brass tapware.

The American Oak in a Planked Rustic layon to show more knots and uneven features was used with a natural matt lacquer finish on the under-bench and main cupboards. As a dramatic contrast, the veneer was stained a dark charcoal black on the island and paired with Prime Fumed Oak Melamine for the interior cabinetry and drawer bases, matching the charcoal stain perfectly.

This is a great example of the trend towards coloured melamine for cabinetry interiors — providing a more appealing and practical solution for areas that are expected to be highly durable.

Natalie designed a galley-style pantry room without a door to give the kitchen a grander scale. At the same time, privacy was created by the full height bank of cabinetry with the ovens and fridge located within.

The Prime textured natural oak cabinetry fitted to all the walls surrounding the kitchen is proportionally kept minimal, and the island materials contrast these to give the island centre stage. The island is set off the floor by 400mm and recessed LED lighting illuminates the base from all four sides.

The cabinetry materials for the island were chosen to contrast with the more industrial concrete benchtop, while the natural oak complements the larger and lighter porcelain benchtops along the walls. The seating area is made up of solid oak which has been laid in a chevron pattern. This pattern is reintroduced with striking effect in the marble tiled splashback and backs of cabinetry in the larder room.

The welded brass leg detail also mirrors the same finish as the brass tapware, giving a feeling of continuity and purpose for all the materials chosen.