Inspired by the modern coastal landscape, this stunning award-winning kitchen embraces natural elements to bring the outdoors in.
The breath-taking ‘Meisner on the Park’ is an award-winning kitchen from Kate Anderson Design (KAD). The kitchen is also the designer’s personal project. “This is my dream kitchen, and the planning and design stage took me over six months,” explains Kate. “I have three beautiful boys and a husband, so I needed a robust but elegant coastal kitchen that suited the open plan living.”
As a stand-alone piece of art, the kitchen features a wall of beautiful Porta Tasmanian Oak Dressed All Round battens. “The use of Porta Tasmanian Oak laid in vertical form gave the extra height the space needed to feel bigger than the original kitchen we ripped out, as well as the additional luxury of hidden cabinetry behind the entire wall of timber,” says Kate.
The hidden cabinetry behind the wall of Porta timber is Kate’s favourite element of the project. “Although this was a time-consuming task, it was well worth the money, time and effort,” says Kate. “The battens were individually hand sanded back, and then finished with a Danish oil to give a natural, raw finish.”
Meisner on the Park is a stunning example of what can be achieved with an expert kitchen designer. “Not only is the design functional and practical, but it’s the combination of textures within the different materials used,” says Kate. “The Porta battens bring the outside in and the added warmth of the Tasmanian Oak concealing hidden cabinetry makes it a must have feature!”
The Porta timber battens were secret fixed to the laminate cabinetry for a seamless finish. “I love the flexibility you can use to capture different emotions within the design by using Porta products,” explains Kate.
In developing the design for Meisner on the Park, Kate was inspired by the modern coastal landscape. “When I design, I like to incorporate the beautiful Sunshine Coast landscape by bringing the outside elements in,” explains Kate. “Either from the hinterland through the greens and the timber elements to our beautiful beaches and oceans through colour and textured finishes.”
“The simplicity, warmth, texture and elegance of the Porta Tasmanian Oak helped create the modern coastal design,” adds Kate. “Porta are my go to for any timber design elements I work with in my kitchen designs. The flexibility and product options we can achieve with Porta make our kitchens a standout.”
KAD was recently awarded the National People’s Choice Kitchen Design Award 2021 by Kitchens & Bathroom Quarterly for the Meisner on the Park project. “To be a first-time entrant in the awards and placed with the caliber of designers within this Australian wide category was a feat I could only have dreamed of, let alone be awarded as the winner. It truly is still sinking in!”
Kate’s Kitchen Design Tip
For any renovation, Kate recommends living in the space first if you can. “This way you pick up any deal breakers when working with your designer on your new space,” explains Kate. “Listen to your designer, after all you have gone to them for a reason and don’t rush this process.”
Kitchen Design Trends
In 2022, KAD see more colour coming back into the kitchen in all material elements - from cabinetry and raw timbers, to stone and tiled splashbacks. “Clients are choosing to be a lot bolder in creating a kitchen space that will evoke more emotions now we are spending more time at home,” says Kate. “The Sunshine Coast is a very social community so creating a space to entertain in that flows and incorporates our local landscape is a must.”
About Kate Anderson Design
Kate Anderson Design is an award-winning family-owned kitchen design business located on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. With over 16 years’ experience in renovations and kitchen design, and working closely with cabinetmakers for seven years, KAD was established to provide clients with a ‘difference in service’ that Kate saw lacking within the industry. “At KAD we are about pushing boundaries and helping clients design and build the kitchen of their dreams,” explains Kate.
Product used: Porta 30 x 18mm Dressed All Round in Tasmanian Oak (finished with Danish oil)
Design: Kate Anderson Design
2 Pac: Vogue Joinery
Benchtops: Caesarstone & Smartstone
Photography: Phill Jackson
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Find out more
