Sink your teeth into the latest kitchen trends as designers unveil statement island benches that redefine traditional spaces. These eye-catching features marry functionality with artistic flair, transforming mundane kitchens into focal points that characterise the room.

As the adage goes ‘the kitchen is the heart of the home’, however, the practicality of this space typically dissuades designers from experimenting with details and aesthetic considerations. Yet, these designers, in all their glory, have ventured into the periphery of kitchen design concepts. From the kitchen at Casa Cassata frosted with a chequered stone island bench to the Ivory House limestone slab characterised by metallic accents, here is an inventory of homes embracing statement kitchen island benches.

Casa Cassata by Timmins and Whyte

Casa Cassata celebrates the Italian love for gastronomy. Amidst its culinary-inspired design elements such as liquorice drawer pulls, lilac accents and curved geometries, Casa Cassata pays homage to Italy’s rich culinary heritage with a confectionary-like colour palette and the extensive use of coloured glass and marble. Yet, it is the chequered stone island bench that stands as the epicentre of this home – truly the crowning jewel, reminiscent of ‘the cherry on top.’

La Casa Rossa by Architect Luigi Rosselli

Architect Luigi Rosselli choreographed a team of craftspeople to give this Victorian-era residence, La Casa Rosa, a new lease on life. There is a level of precision and detail throughout the home, and the kitchen is no exception, with Architecture Stone Concept’s stonemasonry taking centre stage.

Ivory House by Homeroom Studio

At the Ivory House, the interiors are suffused with natural light, creating an ambience of timelessness and tranquillity. While materials and joinery follow a linear design language to promote simplicity and spaciousness, the kitchen island bench is brutalist in its form. A slab of limestone is characterised by metallic accents that stand out against the muted tones.

Fairlight Residence by The Stylesmiths’ Rose Sorkheh

At the Fairlight Residence, Calcutta marble envelops the entire apartment, showcasing its versatility in uniting spaces throughout the refurbishment. The kitchen bench, seemingly weightless, defies the typical perception of solidity, appearing to hover above white, fluted joinery.

A Singapore Apartment by Stephanie Er

The billowy kitchen island counter stands as the focal point of the Singapore apartment, bespoke in design, offering a visual spectacle that resembles either the ethereal expanse of rolling clouds or a cluster of tightly gathered balloons, depending on one’s perspective, and encased between two slabs of Calacatta Gold marble tiles.

Unley Park Residence by Williams Burton Leopardi

At the Unley Park Residence, Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences blend with Edwardian-era stylings, reinterpreted through a series of design gestures and a contemporary sensibility. Serving as the epitome of the modern home, the kitchen stands as the pulsating heart. Designed with a blend of rounded and geometric stone elements alongside brass accents, a playful spirit interplays with the existing character, binding the two together.

A Melbourne home by Lucy Marczyk Design Studio

A noticeable contrast in aesthetics between the exterior and interior characterizes this 1950s home in Melbourne. At first glance, the brick exterior may seem unaltered since its original construction; however, concealed within its walls lies a contemporary remodel. This renovation features a striking six-meter-long stainless-steel island bench, complemented by American oak joinery and timber flooring.