Stylist Megan Morton purchased this home directly from a friend who is a ‘respected interiors specialist with fantastic taste’ – so there was a strong base upon which to add Megan’s own flair! She describes her house a ‘flawed, charming, slightly dark and broody, ever-moving place’ that has provided a home, hospital, holiday and retreat for the Morton family for the past five years.
As the heart of the home, Megan designed the kitchen to reflect the atmosphere of a bistro, with the comfort and ease of a family home. What is most notable about this space is the absence of clutter, and concealed services. Megan explains that when developing the concept for the kitchen, she wanted to style a space that would ‘pretty much always present tidy. Not “neat” or “clean” but tidy!’
This was achieved through hiding away the traditional elements of a kitchen space, including the Fisher & Paykel oven and stovetop, ‘so it didn’t feel appliance heavy.’ The surfaces balance hard, smooth, light and heavy textures to create intrigue, and a layered feel. An olive leather banquette from InStyle sits against Simple Studios linen curtains ‘that puddle deliberately on the floor.’ Elba marble from Artedomus, and a biscuit coloured sink provide a base for the custom hot water Vola tap.
Soft grey cupboard doors seamlessly conceal the Fisher & Paykel fridge, playing perfectly off the old French doors that hideaway a breakfast cupboard. Megan explains ‘the toasts, hot water, porridge and coffee making and all associated accouterments are kept there so the kitchen never gets totally trashed!.’
The space is one of elegance but also liveability and function. She describes ‘I’ve treated the space like a lounge room, adding softness where possible, trying to put things together intuitively.’ The kitchen balances easy access to everything, with hidden appliances to create a family-friendly, yet refined and classically ‘Megan Morton’ aesthetic.
Fisher & Paykel, New Zealand’s award-winning appliance brand, has become a global force not just in product design, but also in kitchen design. The company is committed to research, development and collaboration and works closely with architects and designers to seamlessly integrate their appliances into kitchens in innovative ways. Visit, www.fisherpaykel.com to find out more.
