Huntsbury Award -Winning Kitchen Design

8 August 2024

🏆 This kitchen won a prestigious award in the 2022 Master Joiners Awards, placing 2nd.


Table for two:

Downsizing provided the perfect opportunity for our clients to personalise their new compact galley kitchen in a block of six adjoining units. They envisioned a unique step-down table instead of a conventional breakfast bar, introducing the warmth of solid timber to their high-contrast colour scheme. The table needed to comfortably seat two people but have the flexibility to accommodate up to four.


After exploring several options, the final design featured a chunky timber top with a central waterfall leg, leaving three sides open. This simple yet elegant design complements the kitchen's clean lines and beautifully showcases the timber grain.


Specifications:

  • Benchtops: 24mm Corian Organics ‘Venaro White’ for the kitchen top, and ‘American Ash’ for the table top with a waterfall leg.


  • Cabinetry Fronts & Panels: 18mm Melteca ‘Snowdrift’ satin finish and Prime ‘Anthracite’ velvet finish.


  • Carcass: 16mm Bestwood ‘Arctic White’ velvet.


  • Handles: Elite Hardware ‘Lucia’ overlay handle in Gunmetal finish.


  • Sink: Mercer ‘Hartford’ DV103 stainless steel.


  • Hardware/Accessories: Blum ‘Antaro’ drawers, Blum soft-closing hinges, FIT waste bins, and Hafele ‘Cuisio’ cutlery insert.


A kitchen with a table and chairs in it.

Customisable table seating design

One of the standout features of this kitchen is the innovative step-down table seating. Designed to seat two people comfortably, the table can easily accommodate up to four guests, making it both functional and flexible. The central waterfall leg design keeps three sides open, creating a spacious feel while showcasing the beautiful timber grain.


A kitchen with a table and chairs and a dishwasher.

High contrast colour scheme with natural timber elements

The kitchen boasts a striking high-contrast colour scheme, blending sleek, modern finishes with the warmth of natural timber. The American Ash table top adds a touch of nature, perfectly complementing the clean, contemporary lines of the kitchen.



A kitchen with white cabinets , a refrigerator , a microwave , and a stove.

Efficient use of compact space

This project demonstrates how efficient design can transform a compact space. Every element, from the Corian benchtops to the custom cabinetry, is thoughtfully designed to maximise functionality without sacrificing style. The result is a modern kitchen that is both stylish and practical, ideal for a downsized living space.


A kitchen with white cabinets , stainless steel appliances , a sink , and a honeycomb shelf.

Attention to Detail

The kitchen features high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship. The combination of Melteca 'Snowdrift' satin finish and Prime 'Anthracite' velvet finish for the cabinetry fronts, along with Bestwood 'Arctic White' velvet for the carcass, adds to the kitchen's elegance. Elite Hardware 'Lucia' handles in Gunmetal finish, Mercer 'Hartford' sink, and Blum 'Antaro' drawers with soft-closing hinges ensure both aesthetic appeal and functionality.



A kitchen with a table and chairs in it

Contact Us

Inspired by this award-winning project? Visit our showroom at 423 Main North Road, Christchurch, or call 03 352 3457 to start planning your dream kitchen with Finesse Joinery.


A kitchen with white cabinets , stainless steel appliances and a large island.
29 July 2025
Designing a kitchen in a unit presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. With space at a premium, every design decision matters. But just because you're working with a compact footprint doesn't mean you have to compromise on functionality, quality, or style. In fact, with the right kitchen design team and clever design principles, your kitchen can become one of the most efficient, beautiful spaces in your home. Whether you're renovating a kitchen in a tired space or starting from scratch in a new development, here's how to design a kitchen for a unit, and why working with experienced kitchen designers in Christchurch makes all the difference. 1. Understand your space before you design The first step to any kitchen renovation, whether for a unit or a palatial house, is getting to know the space inside and out. Measure the floor area carefully, note the location of plumbing, power outlets, windows, doors, and ceiling height. In a unit, limitations like shared walls, structural columns, and compact layouts all come into play. When you work with expert kitchen designers, they’ll take all these factors into account and recommend layouts to suit your lifestyle and the existing structure. Popular layouts for units include: Galley kitchens for narrow spaces. L-shaped kitchens for corner areas. U-shaped kitchens for maximum cabinetry and bench space.  Open-plan kitchens that integrate with living/dining spaces.
A kitchen with gray , white and yellow cabinets and a large island.
18 June 2025
Discover how tone-on-tone colour schemes create elegant, cohesive kitchen designs. Learn expert tips to enhance your space with subtle colour layering.
A kitchen with a sink , stove and refrigerator
23 May 2025
Explore the floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinets to see if they suit your space, style, and storage needs. Make the best choice for your kitchen. Learn more!
Show More