The kitchen at Toorak House 2 by Lucy Bock Design Studio is a benchmark in balancing Art Deco heritage with contemporary design, sculptural materiality, and seamlessly integrated Sub-Zero Wolf appliances.
Bold in form and refined in detail, the kitchen at Toorak House 2 is a study in balance. Designed by Lucy Bock of Melbourne-based Lucy Bock Design Studio, its sculptural surfaces, layered materiality, and integrated Sub-Zero Wolf appliances come together to create a striking and functional kitchen. Bock shares her thinking behind the design decisions and influences that helped shape this key space within the home.
What guided the selection of materials in the kitchen, and how do they work together?
Lucy Bock: The kitchen’s material palette captures a tonal restraint and play on texture. Rather than relying on strong colour contrast, cohesion was achieved through subtle shifts in tone and materiality. The cool grey cabinetry establishes a calm backdrop, allowing the kitchen volumes to read as precise architectural forms rather than decorative elements.
The veined Montegro dolomite was selected for its depth, movement, and natural variation. It introduces an organic quality while reinforcing the sculptural expression of the joinery. The island is anchored by hand-crafted bronze metalwork, showcasing artisanal detail in contrast to the surrounding materials. Meanwhile, the dark timber herringbone flooring grounds the room and introduces warmth through its pattern and directionality.
Montegro Dolomite stone from Artedomus spans the splashback and benchtops in a continuous sweep of veined grey. The Wolf Transitional framed induction cooktop integrates seamlessly into the stone surface, its low profile honoring the kitchen’s architectural calm.
The Manhattan pullout mixer from Brodware in brushed nickel traces a soft arc. Beyond, two Wolf Professional M Series ovens stack vertically against the wall of cabinetry lend an accent of colour with their iconic red control knobs. Chevron floor boards in Otta from Tongue & Groove lay a warm foundation, while a built-in dining booth draws the space inward, reinforcing the kitchen as the social heart of this family home.
In what ways do the Wolf appliances support the client’s lifestyle rhythms?
Lucy Bock: The clients have a strong love of cooking and entertaining, and were drawn to Sub-Zero Wolf appliances for their exceptional performance and enduring quality. Considered early in the concept phase, the appliance suite helped inform the floor plan, joinery design and overall architectural direction. Selected for their large-capacity cooking and refrigeration capabilities, the Wolf Professional Series ovens were chosen for their gourmet-level performance and iconic aesthetic, the clients particularly love the convection steam oven’s ‘crispy’ function. The Wolf Transitional framed induction cooktop integrates quietly into the stone benchtop, while the Sub-Zero 91cm Designer column refrigerator and 76cm Designer column freezer were selected for their generous capacity and advanced food preservation technology. Custom joinery panels allow the appliances to sit seamlessly within the cabinetry, while stainless-steel Pro handles introduce a subtle utilitarian quality that complements the overall design.
How do aesthetics and everyday function coexist?
Lucy Bock: What sets it apart is the balance between simplicity and detail. The island reads as a monolithic stone form, softened by finely detailed metalwork that introduces warmth and intricacy. Beyond its sculptural presence, it functions as a social anchor—a natural gathering point for the home. Adjacent, a built-in dining booth creates a more intimate setting for informal dining. Throughout, the experience is defined by material integrity and natural light, with an oversized skylight adding drama overhead.
Custom joinery panels fold the Sub-Zero 91cm Designer Series column refrigerator and 76cm Designer Series column freezer into the cabinetry wall. A pair of Sub-Zero Pro handles, finished in a custom powder-coated colour, punctuate the joinery.
A skylight draws natural light into the space, illuminating the full sweep of Lucy Bock’s design: cool grey cabinetry, a dramatic Montegro Dolomite splashback from Artedomus, and a large-format island grounded by dark timber herringbone flooring. The Madame Ceiling Lights from Lighterior in Morocco finish punctuate the ceiling with a sculptural presence.
