Double Take: What’s That Kitchen Island Made Of?

A mix of woven metal wire, acrylic and LED lighting makes this piece a star. See what happens when the owners entertain

Becky Harris March 15, 2017

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected." I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More

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When I first flipped past thumbnail pictures of this Australian kitchen on Houzz, I had to hit the back button and enlarge the photo. What was that island made of? It looked like some sort of otherworldly glowing block of ice in the middle of the kitchen. I did a classic double take.

Contemporary Dining Room Contemporary Dining Room

At this stunning home perched in the Australian bush in Mount Nebo (near Brisbane, Queensland), the design was all about the connections between indoors and out. Views, materials, lines and heights linked the kitchen to the deck. But what is that piece drawing the eye on the right?

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

Let’s back up first. This is the view from an outdoor deck into the kitchen. As you can see, the large windows and doors and the horizontal planes created by the high-top tables and counters create a smooth transition between indoors and out.

Beautiful rosewood framed in galvanized steel on the door casings, ceilings and shelves provides a strong contrast to the metal in the room and brings a natural element into the house.

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

The couple who live here had the home designed specifically for themselves, and they envision that it will be their last home. They work from home and like to be able to transition easily from work time to relaxation time. “They do prefer to have their family and friends stay and entertain them — they have grown children, but the children return to stay frequently,” says designer Kim Duffin. The island plays a big role in that transition from work time to entertaining time.

In this photo, note that the countertop on the bar beyond the island is the same height as the high-top table outside, which creates one long line that draws the eye out to the lush surroundings.

With the attention-grabbing views outside, Duffin wanted to provide an attention-grabbing piece inside. “I wanted to create a real centerpiece for the space. The view and surrounding vistas of the bush provide a wow factor looking outside the home, whereas the island creates the wow factor looking in,” he says. The clients were eager to mix natural materials with new and innovative products. “This material really caught their eye once I suggested it to them,” Duffin says.

The product, called Acrylic Couture, encases three sides of the island. It is a metal material that’s interlaced and woven in various ways, then embedded in acrylic. Duffin ran an aluminum channel around the outside to conceal LED strip lights along the perimeter. These lights give the island a magical glow.

“The ability to backlight this product and enhance its 3-D elements creates a depth of interest and a focal point within the kitchen,” Duffin says. “It helps tie all the raw materials together.” He notes that it also keeps the metal pieces from feeling too clinical.

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

Can you spot the difference between this photo and the last? Hint: It’s on the island. Since the homeowners love to entertain on the weekends, their kitchen work surface transforms into a bar. The countertop on the island rises up from work height to bar height, revealing glassware and other bar supplies for mixology time. This is achieved via a Linak lift system. The sink-facing side houses small appliances.

Counters: checkerplate stainless steel and Staron

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

Here you can see the lifted portion from the sink side of the island, which houses small appliances like the kettle and toaster.

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

The house is full of strong lines, broken up by the island’s Acrylic Couture, the origami-inspired pendant lights and the wood accents.

“The grain in the New Guinea rosewood accents is a great contrast and added more depth and warmth to the space,” Duffin says. “And the infused wire in the Acrylic Couture complements and brings together all the other materials and elements in the space.”

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