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A Designer’s Expert Guide to Colour, Texture and Maximalist Flair
Five tips to create a unique kitchen with a liberated vision from an inspirational interior designer
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The delights of maximalism have enticed fans for centuries and show no signs of abating. One of the latest maximalist incarnations on the Australian design scene is a unique kitchen by YSG, which sprang from a collaboration with Laminex.
“We named it the Fantales Kitchen, so it’s both nostalgic and iconic. Essentially, I wanted the kitchen to feel like you’d been dipped into a vat of warm, sweet caramel,” says Yasmine Ghoniem, principal and founder of YSG. “I wanted to capture the essence of ‘afternoon delight’ – that warm, cosy time of day when the sun streams in and there’s nowhere else you’d rather be because the world seems to stop in that golden moment,” she says. Houzz spoke to Ghoniem to glean expert tips for cooking up a maximalist marvel. Read on for the five essential ingredients.
“We named it the Fantales Kitchen, so it’s both nostalgic and iconic. Essentially, I wanted the kitchen to feel like you’d been dipped into a vat of warm, sweet caramel,” says Yasmine Ghoniem, principal and founder of YSG. “I wanted to capture the essence of ‘afternoon delight’ – that warm, cosy time of day when the sun streams in and there’s nowhere else you’d rather be because the world seems to stop in that golden moment,” she says. Houzz spoke to Ghoniem to glean expert tips for cooking up a maximalist marvel. Read on for the five essential ingredients.
1. Curate Colour Clashes
Move over, monochrome palettes; maximalism is all about daring and dynamic colour combinations. To make this look work, mix shades with similar tonal intensities and don’t shy away from juxtaposing warm and cool tones. Rather than matching colours, select multiple hues from similar colour families.
In the Fantales Kitchen, Ghoniem drew on a trio of colour narratives: warm, earthy terracottas soak the L-shaped bench joinery; contrasting woodgrains distinguish the island bench; and cool eucalyptus green forms a serene sea of flooring.
Move over, monochrome palettes; maximalism is all about daring and dynamic colour combinations. To make this look work, mix shades with similar tonal intensities and don’t shy away from juxtaposing warm and cool tones. Rather than matching colours, select multiple hues from similar colour families.
In the Fantales Kitchen, Ghoniem drew on a trio of colour narratives: warm, earthy terracottas soak the L-shaped bench joinery; contrasting woodgrains distinguish the island bench; and cool eucalyptus green forms a serene sea of flooring.
“There’s something so luscious about the deeper block laminate colours, including Moroccan Clay and Burnt Ochre that distinguish the L-shaped kitchen bench joinery,” says Ghoniem. “There’s something so stimulating about colour, but you need that touch of a base tone, which is like the soul.”
Importantly, maximalism is not about applying pops of colour to a neutral or white-painted backdrop – the backdrop itself should be as bold as the colourful accents.
Importantly, maximalism is not about applying pops of colour to a neutral or white-painted backdrop – the backdrop itself should be as bold as the colourful accents.
2. Mix and Match Textures
As well as curating a palette of colours, weave a rich palette of materials throughout your space for a textural feast. This kitchen combines smooth satin finishes with tactile tiles, and matt materials with textural timber-look laminates. For a truly maximalist vibe, Ghoniem also mixed different Laminex Solid-Colour decor with contrasting Woodgrains.
“Allowing the textural appeal of Woodgrain laminate to be fully appreciated, we mismatched tones and grains for a tapestry-like appeal on all the surfaces,” says Ghoniem.
“Rather than simply adhere the lighter Milkwood Woodgrain with a natural finish to the benchtop and the darker Danish Walnut at the base, we integrated them to balance out their weighty and more ethereal tones.”
As well as curating a palette of colours, weave a rich palette of materials throughout your space for a textural feast. This kitchen combines smooth satin finishes with tactile tiles, and matt materials with textural timber-look laminates. For a truly maximalist vibe, Ghoniem also mixed different Laminex Solid-Colour decor with contrasting Woodgrains.
“Allowing the textural appeal of Woodgrain laminate to be fully appreciated, we mismatched tones and grains for a tapestry-like appeal on all the surfaces,” says Ghoniem.
“Rather than simply adhere the lighter Milkwood Woodgrain with a natural finish to the benchtop and the darker Danish Walnut at the base, we integrated them to balance out their weighty and more ethereal tones.”
3. Embrace Sculptural Elements
While minimalism bows down to clean lines and right angles, maximalism hails sculptural curves in abundance. For a curvaceous motif that respects your project budget, consider how you might apply widely used materials in a creative way for maximum cost-effective impact.
This is what Ghoniem achieved here by thinking outside the square, instead of binding laminates to customary right-angled joinery surfaces.
“It appears sculpted,” she says of this kitchen design. “I learnt a lot about the dexterity and malleability of the laminate materials. The team was really open to carving and sculpting my design ideas. Above all, working with Laminex reduced the need to explore other materials such as solid timber and natural stone, so it was a huge time (and budget) saver.”
While minimalism bows down to clean lines and right angles, maximalism hails sculptural curves in abundance. For a curvaceous motif that respects your project budget, consider how you might apply widely used materials in a creative way for maximum cost-effective impact.
This is what Ghoniem achieved here by thinking outside the square, instead of binding laminates to customary right-angled joinery surfaces.
“It appears sculpted,” she says of this kitchen design. “I learnt a lot about the dexterity and malleability of the laminate materials. The team was really open to carving and sculpting my design ideas. Above all, working with Laminex reduced the need to explore other materials such as solid timber and natural stone, so it was a huge time (and budget) saver.”
Ghoniem specified High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) for the curved splashback and cold-formed overhead cabinetry, which has a sweeping bullnose return that echoes the curves of the island bench.
In addition to incorporating macro-curves – seen in the cabinetry, island bench and archway – remember to factor micro-curves into your design as well.
“Round little draw pulls are like caramel buttons,” says Ghoniem of the small-scale curves she used in this kitchen. “Vertical dowels add softened 3D appeal for the cupboard handles.”
In addition to incorporating macro-curves – seen in the cabinetry, island bench and archway – remember to factor micro-curves into your design as well.
“Round little draw pulls are like caramel buttons,” says Ghoniem of the small-scale curves she used in this kitchen. “Vertical dowels add softened 3D appeal for the cupboard handles.”
4. Don’t Forget Functionality
Bold maximalist form is undoubtedly eye-catching, though it also needs to be functional. For this brief, Ghoniem was tasked with designing a soulful cooking hub where family and guests could congregate comfortably.
“As it’s the hardest-working room, it also needed to demonstrate its key practical function (featuring considered storage facilities, space for meal preparation, plus dining facilities and now, an additional work desk),” she says.
Another tactic to ensure maximalist style takes the spotlight – and simultaneously increase the functionality of your kitchen design – is to incorporate ample storage. This will prevent clutter from competing with your dynamic design.
Bold maximalist form is undoubtedly eye-catching, though it also needs to be functional. For this brief, Ghoniem was tasked with designing a soulful cooking hub where family and guests could congregate comfortably.
“As it’s the hardest-working room, it also needed to demonstrate its key practical function (featuring considered storage facilities, space for meal preparation, plus dining facilities and now, an additional work desk),” she says.
Another tactic to ensure maximalist style takes the spotlight – and simultaneously increase the functionality of your kitchen design – is to incorporate ample storage. This will prevent clutter from competing with your dynamic design.
5. Surprise!
The final ingredient to create a truly memorable design is to introduce elements of the unexpected. In this kitchen, the dramatic show doesn’t stop at the joinery facings – when one opens a drawer or cupboard the second act begins, revealing a hidden stage of colour.
The cutlery and utensil drawers deliver a dose of surprise with their cornflower-blue internals in Fresh Spring laminate, while the cupboard internals pair the same blue with Pillarbox red laminate for a burst of the unpredictable.
The final ingredient to create a truly memorable design is to introduce elements of the unexpected. In this kitchen, the dramatic show doesn’t stop at the joinery facings – when one opens a drawer or cupboard the second act begins, revealing a hidden stage of colour.
The cutlery and utensil drawers deliver a dose of surprise with their cornflower-blue internals in Fresh Spring laminate, while the cupboard internals pair the same blue with Pillarbox red laminate for a burst of the unpredictable.
“Taking cues from Rothko’s Colour Field paintings, we also blended pops of colour against more neutral backdrops,” says Ghoniem.
Red shelving in the cupboards and the adjacent office space enlivens with its unexpected quality, as does the flooring, which has been laid diagonally for a touch of difference.
Red shelving in the cupboards and the adjacent office space enlivens with its unexpected quality, as does the flooring, which has been laid diagonally for a touch of difference.
Featured in This Kitchen:
Contributors:
More: To find out more about Laminex Solid-Colour decor, Woodgrain, High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) and Decorated Board/Low-Pressure Melamine (LPM), visit Laminex’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
- Base, overhead cabinetry and custom handles: Laminex Burnt Ochre Natural finish.
- Benchtop and curved splashback: Laminex Moroccan Clay Natural finish.
- Island: Laminex Danish Walnut Chalk finish and Laminex Milkwood Natural finish.
- Integrated fridge: Laminex Moroccan Clay Natural finish.
- Tower cabinetry: Laminex Danish Walnut Chalk finish, Laminex Moroccan Clay Natural finish and Laminex Fresh Spring Natural finish.
- Tiled kicker: Artedomus Vixel N47 for kickers.
- Kitchen base cabinetry handles: In-Teria.
- Sink: Oliveri.
- Tap: Astra Walker.
- Appliances: Fisher & Paykel.
Contributors:
- Design: YSG Studio.
- Photographer: Derek Swalwell.
- Stylist: Natalie James.
- Island fabrication: Evolve Interiors.
More: To find out more about Laminex Solid-Colour decor, Woodgrain, High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) and Decorated Board/Low-Pressure Melamine (LPM), visit Laminex’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Design for life. Laminex has been part of Australian life for more than 80 years. Our commitment to design,... Read More
Design for life. Laminex has been part of Australian life for more than 80 years. Our commitment to design,... Read More
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Love these collabs between laminex and designers- really shows the possibilities with laminex to their full advantage. This is not even my favourite one, but still great!