Interior designer Celia Visser has a passion for creating beautiful spaces that naturally draw people in and become the backdrop for lasting memories. When it came time to design a new kitchen for an extension to her own historic 1870 home in Auckland, New Zealand, she seamlessly transitioned from her role as a designer to that of a homeowner with specific needs and desires.

"I love designing homes with soul and a spark of magic, places that provide a sanctuary to escape life's everyday demands," Visser explains. Her philosophy centers on creating spaces that are not only visually stunning but also deeply functional for real-world living.

The kitchen she created for her own home perfectly embodies this approach, serving as both a glamorous showcase and a practical workspace. The design pays tribute to her personal aesthetic preferences while accommodating how she and her husband actually live their daily lives. "I'm a practical designer," she says. "I love spaces that look beautiful, but this is a real-life kitchen that's the heart of our day-to-day living."

Faced with the challenge of limited space that wouldn't accommodate a traditional butler's pantry, Visser developed an innovative solution: a kitchen that can largely disappear from view when not in use. The centerpiece of this award-winning design is a striking rectangular slab of stone that serves as the kitchen island, creating a bold focal point that anchors the entire space.

The design carefully balances contrasting elements to create visual harmony. The sleek island bench and black polished concrete flooring provide dramatic dark tones, while crisp white cabinet doors offer a clean, bright counterpoint. A wall of windows floods the space with natural light and adds architectural interest without overwhelming the carefully curated aesthetic. The tall, double-molded doors were specifically designed to seamlessly blend with the character and period details of the original 1870 house.

The kitchen's dual personality becomes apparent depending on whether the custom doors are open or closed. When closed, the space maintains a sophisticated, restricted color palette of dark and light tones that creates a serene, uncluttered appearance. However, when opened for cooking and food preparation, the kitchen reveals its more complex and functional side, featuring built-in walnut veneer shelves and drawers that add both practical storage solutions and warmth to the space.

Every element of the kitchen has been thoughtfully planned and positioned. The inner workings reveal a well-considered place for everything, including additional bench space and sink areas that expand the kitchen's functionality when needed. All appliances, both large and small appliances, are cleverly concealed behind the custom doors, with the exception of the dishwasher. The hidden storage areas are divided into three distinct workstations, each designed for specific tasks and functions.

The bespoke and custom quality of the kitchen design is perhaps most evident in the left workstation, which houses a dedicated coffee and wine area. This specialized zone provides easy access to everything needed for beverage service, including a separate sink and built-in coffee machine. "I designed glass shelves to display our large selection of beautiful wine glasses, while the coffee cups, teacups and wine accessories are all stored below in drawers," Visser explains. "This station is intended to be used mainly in mornings and at the end of the day."

The kitchen's design success extends beyond its functionality to its role as a social hub. Whether the doors are open or closed, the kitchen serves as a beacon in the living area, naturally attracting guests and creating an easy flow between the kitchen, dining areas, seating spaces, and outdoor entertaining areas. The thoughtful design has fundamentally changed how the family uses their entire home.

"The look and feel of the kitchen has transformed the way we use the house now, whether it's hidden when entertaining guests or open when cooking," Visser notes. The space successfully serves multiple purposes, functioning as an elegant backdrop when closed and a fully operational culinary workspace when opened.

The kitchen possesses what Visser describes as "a timeless quality, character and appeal, creating a beautiful backdrop for living – it's a hidden gem." This versatility allows the space to adapt to different occasions and needs while maintaining its sophisticated aesthetic appeal.

The innovative design and flawless execution earned recognition from the design community, winning the prestigious Trends International Design Awards New Zealand Kitchen of the Year. This honor acknowledges not only the kitchen's visual appeal but also its clever problem-solving approach to space limitations and dual-purpose functionality.

Visser's approach to the project demonstrates how creative design thinking can transform constraints into opportunities. By turning the lack of space for a traditional butler's pantry into a clever design feature, she created a kitchen that offers the best of both worlds: the clean, uncluttered appearance of a minimalist space when closed, and the full functionality of a well-equipped kitchen when opened for use.

The project showcases the designer's ability to balance aesthetic considerations with practical needs, creating a space that works beautifully for both everyday family life and formal entertaining. The kitchen stands as a testament to thoughtful design that doesn't sacrifice beauty for functionality, but rather finds innovative ways to enhance both aspects through creative solutions.

Photography for the project was provided by John Williams and Kallan MacLeod, capturing both the kitchen's dual personalities and the seamless integration with the historic home's character. The images showcase how the modern kitchen addition respects and enhances the original 1870 architecture while providing all the conveniences expected in a contemporary culinary workspace.