KEY POINTS:
Every room in Jude Porter's stunning Christchurch home is a triumph, but if there's one she's particularly proud of, it's her kitchen.
Not surprising, considering she's a kitchen designer. And here she's managed to pool all her years of experience and ideas to create the ultimate dream kitchen, built with her specific needs in mind.
"I'm one of life's short people so I've adapted the bench height just for me. I knew I wanted lots and lots of space because the kitchen is the social room of the house.
It's where I spend the most time and I had in mind that it would be just the place to unwind with a glass of wine at the end of the day, having a chat to [my husband] Ian or friends while I cook.
"To me, kitchens don't have to just look beautiful, they have to work well too. They are the busiest room of every house and you need to know you can move freely in there and everything has to be practical. Things can be lovely to look at but they have to have a functional element to them too."
She chose Corian worktops, because this material is not as cold as granite. Another important consideration was flow.
The windows over the sink open out to the barbecue area so Jude can pass plates to the outdoor dining area. The house was a long time in the planning stages.
"We originally bought the land as a 4ha block and had been in our old house for years, wondering about what we might do if we could build." Having lived there for 16 years, the couple knew exactly what would work.
"When the council finally said we were able to subdivide, we decided to create that perfect house we had always wanted," she says.
The result is a modern, light-filled home with every room designed to make the most of gorgeous views of pastoral hills sweeping down to the city, a 15-minute drive away.
"We've renovated before, but this time I wanted to do something from scratch without having to make any compromises. I'm not so much into the minimal look, I like houses to have character, but I wanted to trap the sun and have everything opened up so there are no dark and poky little rooms."
KITCHEN CLUES
Lifestyle lessons: Functionality is the most important feature in a kitchen. It must suit the lifestyle of the person working in it and what will work for one person isn't going to work for another.
Style notes: The style of the kitchen must blend with the house. You don't want an up-to-the-minute kitchen in a 1970s bungalow and you don't want an old- fashioned farmhouse kitchen in a modern, sleek house.
Close to hand: Make sure you have easy access to all of the appliances you use regularly. Pull-out storage systems and things like appliance garages work wonderfully. They also free-up bench space.
Get a designer: Although you might think it's an easy enough job, a designer will know all about the latest products and how to make the best use of the space you've got.
* Leanne Moore is the editor of Your Home & Garden. For more on Jude Porter's home, see the issue on sale now, or visit www.yourhomeandgarden.co.nz.
