Feast your eyes on these 10 kitchens from our archives that have captivated readers over the past decade. They’re proof that style and personality never date

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1. JUNE 2012

The glossy black screeded floor and striking striped wallpaper lift this white kitchen out of the ordinary. The addition of the wrought iron pot hanger/light fitting with chic black shades adds the perfect finishing touch.

2. MAY 2013

The perfect blend of country cool and modern chic, this kitchen designed by Paul McAdam of Block & Chisel features a stainless steel splashback and bleached oak cabinets and countertops. With the addition of ceramics, modern lighting and artwork it’s a warm, rustic space that oozes charm.

Related to this country-style kitchen: A contemporary country escape

3. AUGUST 2013

What made this kitchen in a house renovated by The Love Factor so popular is its clean-lined symmetry enhanced by the open shelves. Sam Lurie of Sprout Design who decorated the house recommends sticking to white basics when styling shelves and adding splashes of colour with recipe books, ceramics and art. With a modern farmhouse table and contemporary chairs, this kitchen forms a natural extension of the open plan living areas.

4. JUNE 2014

The daring use of a bright red dresser and stove and custom made splashback is one of the reasons this kitchen stood out. After removing a wall, and gutting the original kitchen in their country house, the owners chose freestanding units from Milestone Kitchens in a neutral linen shade and added the wow factor with colour.

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5. JUNE 2016

Designed by Kitchens by Mint Fresh, this kitchen in the KZN Midlands has a definite fin de siècle glamour established by the chequerboard floor, light fittings and French café chairs. Making it unique is the island, a contemporary interpretation of an old apothecary cabinet, with a stainless-steel frame and composite stone top.

6. SEPT 2016

Traditional American barns were the inspiration for this kitchen designed by Bronwyn Smidt of the Textured Barn. With its fireplace, solid oak island and pendants made from old mason jars, it has a cosy farmhouse feel but with all the mod cons. The fireplace wall was clad with a wood-look tile to give it the rustic look but with a practical easy-to-clean finish.

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7. NOVEMBER 2016

“Scale is very important when you want to create impact,” says Claire Clarke of By Dezign Interiors who introduced a large white armoire to this Jo’burg kitchen. What makes this kitchen pop is the striking contrast between the white cabinetry and the black interior doors. Enhancing the luxe feel is the large marble slab on the island and splashback and the interesting cluster of white pendant lights.

8. MAY 2017

 

Kitchens don’t need a lot of detail to be visually appealing. In this Cape Town kitchen, the clean, simple lines and dark cabinetry with crisp white countertops make a huge impact. White stools in front add a graphic contrast and bringing it to life are splashes of sunny yellow.

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9. JUNE 2017

When asked to give this house a Mediterranean style, Studio Dylan Thomaz painted the kitchen cabinets deep blue, and introduced traditional light fittings and a timber island. To form a focal point, on the far wall they mounted a cabinet that wouldn’t look out of place in an Italian farmhouse.

10. MAY 2018

Although this kitchen was only renovated two years ago, the combination of old (as in the turned legs of the island) and new (the over-scaled woven pendants) gives it a timeless, been-there-forever look. Designed by Profurn Contracts and Three Sixty Designs, it’s proved to be very practical for a family with teenagers as well as entertaining a crowd. The neutral grey and white finishes are brought to life by artwork, leather bar stools and splashes of red.