TIDA 2026 Kitchen Awards - Highly Commended Fendalton Family Kitchen Renovation
Project Background
As part of an extensive home renovation in Fendalton, Christchurch, the kitchen space was completely reconfigured to improve functionality and flow within the home. Existing walls and doorways were repositioned to create a more practical layout and better connection between the kitchen and surrounding living spaces.
The brief was to design a visually striking kitchen that balanced strong design aesthetics with everyday functionality. As the homeowners were mindful of future resale, the kitchen also needed to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers while still delivering a high-end, architectural finish.
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Design Objectives
The key design objectives for the project were to:
• Create a highly functional kitchen with a hidden breakfast-making area to maintain a clean main workspace.
• Maximise drawer and pantry storage to support everyday use.
• Provide generous uninterrupted benchtop areas to suit clients who enjoy cooking.
• Deliver a sophisticated, designer kitchen that would enhance the value and appeal of the home for future resale.
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Materials & Finishes
A restrained palette was selected to create a calm yet refined aesthetic.
• LEICHT Classic Lacquered cabinetry in RAL 9002 Grey White forms the primary cabinetry, providing a soft, neutral base.
• LEICHT Topos Timber Veneer in Alpine Oak introduces warmth and texture, used on the tall cabinetry and feature shelving to create a focal point within the space.
The combination of lacquered surfaces and natural timber veneer provides both visual contrast and material richness.
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Lighting
Integrated lighting was carefully considered to enhance both functionality and atmosphere.
• LED lighting integrated within floating Alpine Oak shelves
• Concealed LED strips beneath wall units and within feature panels
These lighting elements highlight the timber detailing while reinforcing the strong horizontal design language of the kitchen.
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Benchtops & Splashbacks
Neolith “Everest Sunrise” Silk was selected for both benchtops and splashbacks, providing a durable surface with subtle movement and depth.
Using the same material throughout the kitchen and pantry areas ensures visual continuity while maintaining a refined, seamless aesthetic.
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Handle Design
A handleless system was chosen to maintain the clean architectural lines of the kitchen.
• LEICHT dark bronze recessed handle profiles run horizontally along the base units and vertically on the tall cabinetry.
• Push-to-open mechanisms were used on wall units to eliminate visual interruption above the benchtop.
The dark bronze detailing adds a subtle layer of contrast while emphasising the kitchen’s strong linear design.
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Storage & Layout
Storage was a key priority in the design.
Two tall pantry units with internal drawers provide generous food storage and are carefully aligned with integrated refrigerator and freezer units of the same proportions, creating a balanced and symmetrical composition.
Additional storage is provided through multiple drawer units in the main working area, complemented by wall cabinetry and open shelving in both the kitchen and the concealed breakfast pantry.
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Key Design Features
• Contrasting Alpine Oak timber veneer and lacquered cabinetry paired with dark bronze handle channels
• LED lighting integrated into floating timber shelving and beneath wall units, visually reinforcing the horizontal design lines
• Neolith Everest Sunrise benchtops and splashbacks carried through both kitchen and pantry spaces
• Bora cooktop with integrated extraction and fully integrated appliances to maintain clean, uninterrupted lines
• A concealed breakfast-making area that keeps everyday appliances hidden from the main kitchen view
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Final Result
The completed kitchen delivers a highly functional workspace with generous storage, uninterrupted benchtop areas for cooking, and a cleverly concealed breakfast station that keeps everyday clutter hidden.
Strong horizontal handle lines guide the eye toward the feature Alpine Oak timber veneer back wall, where illuminated open shelving and vertical handle detailing create visual height and architectural presence.
The result is a refined and contemporary kitchen that balances warmth, functionality, and strong design intent—perfectly suited to both the clients’ lifestyle and the home’s future market appeal.