For a blended family of seven, the kitchen is more than a place to cook — it’s a dynamic, multi-functional hub where daily life unfolds. At Le Jardin, a residence in Adelaide’s elegant suburb of Medindie, that brief became the foundation for a well-thought-out design by Craig Linke. Balancing beauty with robust practicality, this innovative kitchen won the 2026 HIA Australian Kitchen Design award at the recent Australian Housing Awards event on the Gold Coast.

When the clients approached Craig Linke, they shared their needs and aspirations, including a love of French provincial style. In response, the concept was developed by Craig’s interior design team in partnership with the clients, informing both the layout and detailing. The result is a kitchen that reflects the clients’ European influence while meeting the demands of a large, active household.

At the heart of the design is a sculptural, curved island bench, finished in a reeded Cremello profile that echoes the home’s existing archways. It anchors the space while softening the overall geometry.

Surrounding joinery, executed in a classic beaded Shaker profile and finished in durable two-pack polyurethane, provides resilience. Natural materials – from limestone and European oak flooring to Statuario and Venus Stream marble – establish a timeless palette, while raw brass tapware is designed to patina gracefully over time.

‘The vision was to create a kitchen that felt layered and lived-in from day one, but would only improve with age,’ Craig says. ‘Every material and detail had to work hard – aesthetically and functionally.’

Delivering that level of refinement came with challenges. The intricate curves and profiles required close collaboration with fabricators, while the curved marble elements demanded exceptional precision. Even seemingly minor details, such as maintaining a seamless kicker line beneath integrated appliances, required innovative solutions, including venting into the underfloor space.

Beyond the main kitchen, an expansive butler’s pantry operates as a ‘kitchen within a kitchen’, complete with its own appliances and marble island. This allows the main space to remain uncluttered, particularly when entertaining.

HIA judges praised the project’s craftsmanship and cohesion, noting the island bench ‘feels like a piece of furniture’ and highlighting the ‘light, airy layout and seamless flow between spaces. They also commended the thoughtful zoning and use of curves to soften the overall aesthetic, describing the kitchen as ‘an elegant, clever space designed for real living’.

Ultimately, the Le Jardin kitchen succeeds in merging high-level design with everyday usability — a refined yet hardworking environment tailored to the rhythms of modern family life.

www.craiglinke.com.au

 Want to see all the winners of 2026 HIA Australian Housing Awards?

View all award winners

Materials:

• Appliances: Fisher & Paykel quaddoor fridge; Liebherr integrated freezer and 80-bottle-capacity wine cabinet, Miele fully integrated dishwasher, oven, combi oven, warming drawer, wok burner and cooktop.
• Butler sink: Turner Hastings ‘Novi’ fine fireclay in Gloss White from Routleys.
• Kitchen tap: Nicolazzi ‘Campania WS’ in Raw Brass from Routleys.
• Feature tiles: Perini Meca in Snow from Perini Tiles.
• Joinery: Statuario and Venus Stream honed marble, both from Stoneware.

First published on 27 May 2026.