Classic Pizzazz

Colleen Holder Design·Auckland·Kitchen

Colleen Holder

Colleen Holder Design

OFFICIAL RESULT

DNKBA Platinum Kitchen Design

Kitchen Distinction Award – $90-$120k

Classic Pizzazz is a compact kitchen with a very clear sense of self, designed by Colleen Holder Design for the sole occupier of an 1800s villa.

Project gallery

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Classic Pizzazz — kitchen by Colleen Holder Design, Auckland — NKBA Excellence in Design 2025 — 01 / 12

Project story

Classic Pizzazz is a compact kitchen with a very clear sense of self. Designed by Colleen Holder Design for the sole occupier of an 1800s villa, the brief called for something classic and simple, but with enough presence to hold the room. The client, a Kiwi who spends part of each year in Europe, wanted a space that nodded gently to French and Italian design without feeling themed or overly decorative.

The existing interior had been stripped back to a blank canvas, with the former bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and dining areas opened into one larger kitchen, living and dining space. Rather than overextend the kitchen, the design nestles beneath the lower ceiling, giving the room a natural zone and allowing the adjoining space to remain flexible for dining, living or entertaining.

Marble became the hero. Used across the benchtop, island, shelf and dramatic splashback, it brings movement, glamour and a distinctly European mood to the space. Tall towers at either end create symmetry, while the central cooking zone and mitred island keep the layout balanced and practical for one primary cook.

The softer details do a lot of quiet work. Brass accents, Metalier toekicks and ambient LED lighting warm the stone and cabinetry, while painted solid Beech timber doors support the client’s preference for natural, sustainable materials. Inside, SupaLam plywood cabinetry adds durability and substance.

The result is a kitchen that feels tailored, glamorous and deeply personal. It respects the character of the villa, carries the memory of European travel, and still works beautifully for everyday life.