Designer Michael Murray from Kitchen Inspirations shows that a modest budget is no barrier to creativity.

He picked up the NKBA Excellence in Design Award for kitchens in the $25k-$40k category for this stunning kitchen that answered the client's brief for a contemporary kitchen that would work harmoniously with their sentimental treasures.

This stylish kitchen packs a lot of punch with the use of the recently launched Patina melamine as a battened feature on the front of the island and above the rangehood.  It complements beautifully with the Carbon melamine in a deeply textured Timberland finish on the rest of the cabinetry, itself a dark counterpoint to the stainless steel appliances.

Judged by New Zealand's leading kitchen designers, it was described as a 'clever little kitchen that .. provides a lot of bang for your buck in this interesting and forward thinking space."