We’ve created a mid-century inspired kitchen with clean lines and Japanese aesthetics.
For this Titirangi kitchen renovation, designed by Michelle Gillbanks, the priority was to create a larger and more functional kitchen for everyday cooking and social gatherings.
Keep scrolling for more details, images and a video.

An important objective was to extend the home's existing mid-century and Japanese-inspired design language into the kitchen and dining areas, which previously felt disconnected from the rest of the house. Natural timber was a key element in achieving this vision, bringing warmth, texture, and a stronger sense of continuity throughout the home.

As a space used daily for cooking and regularly for entertaining, the kitchen needed to balance practicality with visual appeal. The clients requested extensive storage, increased bench space, a large pantry, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, under-counter drawer refrigeration and freezer units, and an open-plan layout that encouraged connection and flow. Brass or black finishes, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials were also important priorities, along with a dining table connected to the kitchen.

To complement the timber finishes, brass fixtures and fittings were selected in place of chrome. These details introduced a sense of richness and refinement while enhancing the overall material palette. Ambient lighting was carefully integrated throughout the space to create a welcoming environment that works equally well for everyday living and entertaining.

The clients wanted a kitchen that was significantly larger and more practical, while remaining true to the home's established mid-century and Japanese-inspired aesthetic. One of the most distinctive features throughout the house was the extensive oak wall panelling, which the clients particularly valued. Continuing this material palette into the kitchen and living areas became a natural design response, creating visual continuity and reinforcing the warm, calming atmosphere already present in the home.

Click the play button to expand the window and see the full video of this gorgeous kitchen.
And, if this inpires your next project, let's talk.