On Auckland’s North Shore, architect Guy Tarrant has set the stage for drama-free entertaining.
AT THE END OF A DINNER PARTY, depending on the type of company you keep, guests will probably do one of two things: head for the hills as soon as they catch a glimpse of the piles of dishes on the kitchen bench, or martyr themselves to the mood dampening task of loading the dishwasher. Neither is any fun. Architect Guy Tarrant’s clients on the North Shore of Auckland wanted to keep the work space well hidden when entertaining. In order to dose off the kitchen when desired, Tarrant designed a solid sliding wall that can be pulled across between the large formal dining space and the kitchen. When it is not in use the sliding door pushes back into a recess so it can’t be seen. This means that if a party is catered the staff are able to prepare and clean up without being in the same room as the diners and if it is a less formal occasion any clutter on the bench can be concealed.
On the other side of the kitchen a similar door shuts off the family room behind it. If the sliding doors are both open it creates an open loop between the dining areas and kitchen and living spaces. When it is just the family they use the bar stools at the granite bench, but there are plans to put a less formal family dining table immediately in front of the bench island in the lovely spot next to floor-to-ceiling glazing with spectacular sea views. The materials used in this area are very much a part of the surrounds, with the American oak used for the cabinetry used throughout the house. The glass mosaic tiles of the splashback are a muted sea blue. The room has minimum fittings with recessed pull handles integrated in Tarrant’s design of the cabinetry.
In the bathrooms the natural colour palette is extended with sands and browns used. The bathroom shown is on the lower floor of the house in the guest quarters. It has a double shower and a bath and is lined with two different types of sandy limestone tiles. There is ample storage and behind the basin, small dark mosaic tiles break up the colour palette of the room and add another point of interest. This bathroom seems overly spacious for guests, but the clients have long-stay guests from overseas and the bathroom and guest quarters reflect this. K+B
Cabinetmaker – Form Design
Photography Patrick Reynolds