This 1920s Seatoun villa had a typical Wellington kitchen — tucked under the stair, sheltered against a bushy bank and disconnected from the main living space. The brief was to create a light-filled, highly functional kitchen that reconnected the home to its harbour setting, allowing views of the sea from the preparation bench.

The adjacent living room, with its original dark oak panelling and the clients’ art and ceramics, set the tone. The new kitchen needed to feel contemporary yet grounded in the character of the house — designed for keen cooks and robust enough to welcome a growing band of visiting grandchildren.

Small exterior french doors were replaced with generous sliders to capture sun and views, while a carefully placed internal window maintains separation from the working kitchen but allows conversation, light and connection to flow.

The kitchen consists of durable cabinetry, generous drawers and a multi-toned tiled splashback which references the colours of the harbour. Feature oak joinery echoes the home’s original timber detailing. Delivered through a collaborative and smoothly managed process with the builder and joiner, the result is a kitchen that feels both timeless and practical — open, connected and made for everyday family life.