Set within the historic walls of a 1913 Arts and Crafts estate by Manson and Pickering in Sydney’s Point Piper postcode, Jillian Dinkel’s latest project reinterprets tradition through a modern gothic lens.
In partnership with Poliform Australia
Designed exclusively for entertaining, the transformed residence features a reconfigured floor plan that introduces a statement, commercial-grade Poliform Shape kitchen, a grand dining room inspired by the homeowner’s favourite venues and a custom wine cellar that can hold more than 400 bottles.
At its heart, the kitchen serves as the focal point of the open-plan entertaining space. “The kitchen needed to meet the functional demands of a professional kitchen for events and entertaining, while maintaining a striking, elegant aesthetic that reflected our studio’s specialty—honouring the charm of heritage homes while integrating contemporary sensibilities,” says director Jillian Dinkel.
With a meticulous approach to proportion and craftsmanship, Dinkel balances heritage and modernity in every detail. Here, we explore the design elements that define this integral space within the home’s storied setting.
What was the initial design brief for Kilmory House, and how did your team translate the client’s vision into the final kitchen design?
Jillian Dinkel: The brief for Kilmory House was to create a bold, statement kitchen that would serve as the focal point of the home’s open-plan entertaining space. Designed as a secondary residence for hosting events and gatherings, the kitchen needed to function at a professional, commercial-grade level while maintaining a refined, elegant aesthetic. Our approach was to honour the home’s heritage charm while seamlessly integrating contemporary sensibilities.
A stainless-steel central island became the hero of the space, delivering striking visual impact and bold contrast to the home’s heritage detailing. This was paired with charred oak cabinetry and the earthy tones of illusion marble, creating a balanced yet distinctive palette that reflects our client’s unique vision.
The home’s rich Arts and Crafts heritage is central to this project. How did you honour this legacy in the kitchen while introducing modern elements?
Jillian Dinkel: Specialising in heritage and period homes, my process always begins with a deep dive into the home’s provenance, architectural details, and character—alongside an understanding of my client’s lifestyle and personality. My approach focuses on restoring and celebrating original interior architecture while thoughtfully integrating modern elements.
In this home, we reinstated the timber paneling, skirtings, and a grand coffered ceiling to honor its original detailing. Once the stage was set, I introduced contemporary elements to create both functional balance and visual contrast. Here, the sleek stainless-steel island serves as the perfect counterpoint to the rich timber paneling and hand-painted finishes.
The living room showcases the iconic, oversized Tufty-Time sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, paired with a bespoke silk and wool rug in a soft, muted palette by Jillian Dinkel for The Rug Establishment.
Can you walk us through the Jillian Dinkel Design process for selecting materials?
Jillian Dinkel: Honesty in materiality is paramount to me—we love working with natural stone, brass, and timber to create designs that evolve beautifully over time. Our approach ensures each home develops a rich patina, appreciating in character throughout its lifecycle.
What defines a timeless kitchen design versus one that follows trends? How did this philosophy influence your approach to the Kilmory House kitchen?
Jillian Dinkel: A timeless kitchen design is built on elements that endure, rather than those dictated by fleeting trends. At Kilmory, this meant prioritising authenticity—working with solid, honest materials and bespoke detailing that honored the home’s heritage. For me, timelessness is about ensuring old and new exist in harmony, creating a space that isn’t tied to a specific era but instead speaks a cohesive design language. Striking this balance can be challenging, but it’s what keeps us engaged and constantly evolving.
For this home, the material palette was anchored in deeply toned timber, limestone, and earthy marble, contrasted with stainless steel and inky blue Marmorino walls. The selection was inspired by our client’s love of red wine and the timeless elegance of British interiors.
“A timeless kitchen design focuses on elements that endure, transcending fleeting trends. At Kilmory, this meant prioritising authenticity—working with solid, honest materials and bespoke detailing.”
– JILLIAN DINKEL
How do you see this kitchen reflecting the essence of both Kilmory House and your design studio’s values?
Jillian Dinkel: This kitchen embodies the soul of Kilmory House and our studio’s ethos—a deep respect for history paired with a bold vision for the future. Every decision, from the choice of materials to the integration of Poliform’s innovative designs, was made to honour the home’s legacy while creating a space that feels fresh, relevant, and deeply personal to our clients. For me, this project is a testament to how design can celebrate the past while shaping a new story for the future.
“The kitchen’s sleek, polished surface contrasts beautifully with the tactile warmth of materials like charred oak and illusion marble, achieving a delicate tension between old and new.”
– JILLIAN DINKEL
“This project is a testament to how design can celebrate the past while shaping a new story for the future.”
– JILLIAN DINKEL
Founder and Designer Jillian Dinkel stands alongside a powdery pink Cipria sofa from Edra, available at Space Furniture.
