Spacious, Vibrant and Colourful
November 18, 2024
This spacious kitchen, designed by Mumbai-based Goldmine Project Consultant headed by Ketan Sheth, in an expansive apartment in Surat, combines a vibrant colour palette of onion pink and peacock blue with practical layout elements like an island counter, abundant natural light, and a seamless flow for an inviting, highly functional space.
This 290 sft spacious kitchen, designed by Mumbai-based design firm Goldmine Project Consultant, is part of an expansive 5,500 sft apartment in Surat belonging to a well-known diamond merchant. While the residence embodies luxury reflecting the homeowner’s lifestyle and taste, the kitchen combines style and practicality.
The clients, well-travelled and well-versed in global design trends, sought a kitchen that reflected their lifestyle while offering an inviting space for both family gatherings and intimate cooking sessions. The result is a highly functional, vibrant kitchen that balances aesthetics with the client’s culinary needs.
Key Features of the Design
At the core of this kitchen’s design is its spacious layout, allowing for an island counter without compromising functionality. Bathed in natural light, the kitchen feels open and uncluttered, with a distinct flow that ensures easy movement and efficient use of space.
Ketan Sheth, Founder, Managing Director and Principal Designer, Goldmine Project Consultants says, “A hallmark of our kitchen is its bold colour palette. The combination of onion pink and peacock blue makes a striking contrast against the grey tones of the ACP ceiling and geometric tiles, creating a vibrant yet harmonious environment. This daring colour scheme was thoughtfully selected to complement the interior of the home, giving the kitchen a unique visual appeal.”
The layout follows the ‘Work Triangle’ principle, optimising workflow by strategically placing the refrigerator, stove, and sink at key points. The large central island acts as a versatile hub, incorporating a breakfast counter, storage, and space for meal prep. The kitchen is also equipped with built-in appliances by Miele, seamlessly integrated into the design for a sleek, modern look.
The layout follows the ‘Work Triangle’ principle, optimising workflow by strategically placing the refrigerator, stove, and sink at key points. Photo Courtesy: Goldmine Project Consultants
Design Considerations
The client's vision for this kitchen was rooted in creating a space that blends functionality with aesthetics, reflecting their lifestyle and passion for design.
Sheth shares, “The kitchen design was tailored to meet the specific needs of the client’s wife, who is passionate about cooking. The client emphasised the importance of functionality and comfort, particularly in managing the workflow between cooking and cleaning. With a separate storeroom and a dedicated wash and dry area, the kitchen remains clutter-free and highly organised, even when hosting large family gatherings or entertaining guests. The design ensures that the primary cook and domestic help can work efficiently without disruption.”
He further adds, “Understanding the client’s cultural and culinary habits was essential in shaping the kitchen layout. As a Gujarati family with a love for food, the kitchen needed to accommodate frequent gatherings, offering ample storage, preparation areas, and separate workspaces. The broken U-shape layout with three access points allows for efficient workflow and provides multiple cooking and cleaning stations, making it ideal for everyday use and hosting events.”
“One interesting challenge arose with the chimney installation. The cooking platform was positioned near a windy window, and most aesthetically designed chimneys have a maximum height of 27 inches. To address this, we had to source a taller chimney. ”
Ketan Sheth
Founder, Managing Director and Principal Designer
Goldmine Project Consultants
Appliances and Storage Solutions
Appliances that blend with the cabinetry, offer a clean, integrated look while also maximising functionality. The choice of built-in over standalone appliances ensures that the kitchen remains clutter-free, with ample storage for dry snacks, utensils, and cooking essentials in the island’s drawers.
Talking about the integration of appliances in the kitchen design, Sheth explains, “We've incorporated the premium international brand Miele, known for its exceptional quality, as the client requested the best range of appliances. Though Miele is expensive, it perfectly complements the modern kitchen design alongside the layout of the kitchen, budget, and personal preference of the client for a modern integrated look allowing for a more custom design without gaps or spaces. With built-in kitchen appliances, one can select from several different finishes or opt for panel ready.”
He further adds, “The built-in appliances blend seamlessly with our colour scheme, offering a sleek, neat appearance and enhanced functionality, unlike standalone units. The built-in appliances provide a separate fridge and freezer, a microwave, a combination steam oven, and a warming drawer that keeps food warm for extended periods with adjustable timer settings.”
He further reveals that the client has a passion for gadgets. “So, we included a pop-up charger on the island counter, conveniently located next to the sink. In the internal kitchen, we installed a digital drinking water tap with a keypad that allows users to customise the pH balance of the water according to their dietary needs, offering a personalised experience for the client.”
Talking about storage provided, he shares, “For the cabinets, we used marine ply for the internal structure and finished the fronts with glass and in some areas PU. Below the cooking platform, we included storage for cutlery and a dustbin beneath the sink. To the left of the cooking area, we provided space for plates, while on the right side, there is storage for groceries and various flours. In the dry kitchen, we have allocated areas for snacks, dry fruits, and other daily-use items.”
The design ensures that the primary cook and domestic help can work efficiently without disruption. Photo Courtesy: Goldmine Project Consultants
Lighting, Materials and More
With ample natural light streaming through the windows, the area feels bright and open. The lighting design enhances both function and atmosphere, with profile lights installed on the ceiling and two hanging lights above the island for added focus.
“We installed profile lights on the ceiling, and for an added aesthetic touch, we placed two hanging lights above the island counter. Additionally, we provided lighting above all kitchen platforms, under the overhead storage, and in all storage niches to ensure ample illumination. For the ceiling, we used HYBEC brand lighting, while the other lights were imported to complement the overall design,” informs Sheth.
Talking about the materials used in the design, he adds, “For the flooring, walls, and countertops, we opted for a combination of light grey and dark grey tiles. The wall dado features a custom water jet cutting design. This choice of materials was made to ensure the kitchen remains low maintenance while offering a sleek, modern look.”
The designer has used smaller tiles as the backsplash materials which also look aesthetically pleasing. However, often increased grout lines become cumbersome to maintain. Addressing the concerns, Sheth rationalises, “To ensure easy maintenance, we kept grout lines small. “Compared to other backsplash options, this choice is more practical, as quartz has become quite common, and glass can be challenging to maintain due to the high volume of cooking. Glass backsplashes require significant effort to keep clean, which is not ideal for a kitchen that frequently hosts guests and extended family. Therefore, a maintenance-free solution was essential for meeting their needs.”
In designing kitchen spaces, architects and designers often encounter a range of challenges that require careful consideration and innovative solutions. Talking about the challenges, Sheth shares, “One interesting challenge arose with the chimney installation. The cooking platform was positioned near a windy window, and most aesthetically designed chimneys have a maximum height of 27 inches. To address this, we had to source a taller chimney to accommodate the windy conditions, which proved to be a difficult task. Additionally, the client preferred not to have an island chimney. So, we sourced a 5-ft chimney with maximum suction power to meet their needs.”
This kitchen project is a testament to the integration of bold design and functionality. From its vibrant colour palette to its well-thought-out layout, every detail was carefully crafted to reflect the client’s lifestyle and culinary needs. By combining modern aesthetics with practical solutions, Goldmine has created a kitchen that is not only visually stunning but also highly functional, making it a space that is both inviting and efficient for everyday use.
Fact Sheet:
Project Location: Surat
Size of Kitchen: 290 sft
Appliances: Miele
Fittings: Grass
Materials Used: Marine Ply, Glass, ACP ceiling
Design Firm: Goldmine Project Consultant
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