The Driftwood Kitchen

Some places have an immediate, almost intangible sense of well-being the moment you step inside. This kitchen, custom-designed by Ateliers Jacob, is one of them. Every element invites you to slow down, to let the natural light dance across the surfaces, to run your fingers over the warmth of the wood. You can already picture yourself here, coffee in hand, watching the changing shadows of the sun through the large windows.

This kitchen is inspired by the “Hollywood” project by Oscar Sainsbury Architects (OSA), located in Smiths Beach on Phillip Island, Australia. Steeped in surf culture, this architechtural approach blends seamlessly into the landscape, allowing light and the beauty of nature to take centre stage. This philosophy inspired every design choice, from the warm maple wood to the ultra-thin Laminam porcelain surfaces,  materials that create an airy, weightless aesthetic while offering the durability needed for daily life.

From the very first sketches, the idea was clear: to open the kitchen to the outdoors, allowing nature to weave itself into the rythm of everyday life. Before the conversion, the room was dark and windowless.  Previously a dark, windowless space, it has been entirely reimagined. Now, two expansive windows frame serene outdoor views, flooding the room with light. A delicate wooden shelf, placed just in front of the sink-side window, offers a perfect spot for handcrafted objects, a small collection of books, or a plant that thrives in the soft daylight.

At the heart of the kitchen, the carefully custom-designed island by Ateliers Jacob embodies both balance and simplicity. Topped with a Laminam porcelain countertop, it creates a striking contrast with the light wood cabinetry, adding a subtle but grounding presence to this dynamic space.

This kitchen is also home to Colombine, a multidisciplinary artist. For her, every corner tells a story, whether it’s mornings spent in the coffee corner or evenings when the fading light casts golden reflections across the surfaces. Here, she finds inspiration for her creations here, but above all, she finds a sense of home, enveloped in the warmth of natural materials and the ever-changing play of light.