14/05/2026
What’s changing in kitchen design?
Often, it’s not one dramatic feature — it’s the details that make a kitchen easier to live with every day.
In the Pohutakawa House kitchen, two of those details are doing a lot of work: pocket doors and integrated downdraft extraction.
The pocket doors, using the Salice Exedra system, allow the coffee area to be opened up when in use, then tucked neatly away when finished. For spaces that stay open for longer periods — coffee, breakfast, appliances, drinks stations — this can make a real difference to walkways and working space.
The cooktop with integrated downdraft extraction also gives far more flexibility in where the cooking zone can sit, especially where a ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted extractor would interrupt the architecture.
Both systems have been available for some time, but recent improvements mean they are now becoming a genuine option in high-end homes — provided the planning, detailing and limitations are properly considered.
Curious about how pocket doors feel in use? We have the Salice Exedra system in our showroom, where you can see the movement, clearance and detailing up close.
Architecture:
Interiors:
Cabinetry: Carlielle
Builder: David Heard
Photography:
