Practical Ideas Designed For Busy Family Life

Behind its minimalist facade, this kitchen conceals a smorgasbord of practical ideas designed for busy family life

- Vanessa Keys

At first glance, you probably can’t tell this kitchen belongs to a young couple with four boisterous kids. But look beyond the clean, Scandi-inspired lines and you’ll find it’s packed with practical features, from the stain-resistant porcelain benchtop and durable timber-look laminate cabinetry to the butler’s pantry with its secondary sink and dishwasher. “The owners are frequent entertainers with a large family, so they needed a functional space that could endure anything they threw at it,” says Milé Trpkovski from In2, who designed and ran the project. “Early on, we met and talked extensively about their rituals and routines, everything from how the kids gathered around the island for breakfast to specific storage needs.” To accommodate the family, Milé designed a large, cantilevered island bench to sit at the heart of the space. Brimming with storage, it doubles as an entertaining hub and breakfast bar, plus conceals an integrated dishwasher. And, because practicality shouldn’t trump style, the marble-look benchtop is super durable Dekton porcelain, which is scuff-, stain- and heat-resistant. Sums up Milé, “This kitchen is built on the belief that good design is both beautiful and functional, and should remain so for a long time.”