New This Week: 3 Stunning Black-and-White Kitchens
Use this classic color palette for clean sophistication and as a backdrop for accessories
Mitchell Parker
March 17, 2017
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
“Black and white is a classic color combination that is timeless and sophisticated,” says designer Lorraine Franklin, who used the two-tone scheme in one of the following kitchens. Indeed, black and white has a lot going for it. It’s crisp and clean while also providing drama and contrast. Plus, the neutral palette allows other colors and accessories to jump out. Here are three modern kitchens that really rock the classic look.
1. Clean Contemporary
Designers: Lorraine Franklin and Tenielle Goldlist of Lorraine Franklin Designs
Location: Toronto
Homeowners’ request: Expand a kitchen and its small island to get more cooking space, adequate storage and contemporary style.
Black and white: Black and high-gloss white cabinetry. Custom black wood range hood. Black powder-coated ring light above island. White walls, black doors. “Mixing black with high-gloss white cabinetry enhances the dramatic visual contrast,” designer Lorraine Franklin says. “It also creates a fantastic backdrop to display the bright artwork and accessories the owners have collected together during their travels.”
Work with an interior designer to create your very own black-and-white kitchen
Designers: Lorraine Franklin and Tenielle Goldlist of Lorraine Franklin Designs
Location: Toronto
Homeowners’ request: Expand a kitchen and its small island to get more cooking space, adequate storage and contemporary style.
Black and white: Black and high-gloss white cabinetry. Custom black wood range hood. Black powder-coated ring light above island. White walls, black doors. “Mixing black with high-gloss white cabinetry enhances the dramatic visual contrast,” designer Lorraine Franklin says. “It also creates a fantastic backdrop to display the bright artwork and accessories the owners have collected together during their travels.”
Work with an interior designer to create your very own black-and-white kitchen
Designer secret: “When using a dramatic accent color, try to make sure it is incorporated into at least three areas or about 30 percent of the space,” Franklin says. “Balance dark or heavy features in a room with light elements.” In the adjacent dining area, she and designer Tenielle Goldlist used open-mesh bar stools and simple orb light fixtures.
Also on the team: Anadel (flooring installation); Miracle Marble (countertop and backsplash fabrication and installation); Link Building Group; Eurostyle 50 (custom cabinetmaker); Valerie Wilcox (photographer)
See more of this kitchen
Toro light: Arancia, via Dark Tools; Guapa stool: Palazzetti; Wixom Stoneham European oak flooring: Northern Wide Plank; appliances: Miele; countertops and backsplash: Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo; wall paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; Servo-Drive electronic drawer opener: Blum
Also on the team: Anadel (flooring installation); Miracle Marble (countertop and backsplash fabrication and installation); Link Building Group; Eurostyle 50 (custom cabinetmaker); Valerie Wilcox (photographer)
See more of this kitchen
Toro light: Arancia, via Dark Tools; Guapa stool: Palazzetti; Wixom Stoneham European oak flooring: Northern Wide Plank; appliances: Miele; countertops and backsplash: Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo; wall paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; Servo-Drive electronic drawer opener: Blum
2. Fresh Farmhouse
Designers: Breese Romano and Josh Romano of Cobblestone Development Group
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 160 square feet (14.8 square meters); 20 by 8 feet (6 by 2.4 meters)
Homeowners’ request: An addition to an original one-story Cape Cod that would include a kitchen with a more open and spacious layout.
Black and white: Black stools, light fixtures, shelf brackets and other accents. White cabinets, island and subway tile.
Other special features: Rustic wood via the beam, island countertop, floors, shelves and door. Marble perimeter countertop.
Designers: Breese Romano and Josh Romano of Cobblestone Development Group
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 160 square feet (14.8 square meters); 20 by 8 feet (6 by 2.4 meters)
Homeowners’ request: An addition to an original one-story Cape Cod that would include a kitchen with a more open and spacious layout.
Black and white: Black stools, light fixtures, shelf brackets and other accents. White cabinets, island and subway tile.
Other special features: Rustic wood via the beam, island countertop, floors, shelves and door. Marble perimeter countertop.
Designer secret: Adding open shelving is a good way to open up your kitchen. The open shelving takes some of the weight out of the room by eliminating the upper cabinets. It also breaks up the lines, providing visual interest.
“Uh-oh” moment: Designers Breese Romano and Josh Romano needed to find a way to hide the plumbing for the second floor without lowering the ceiling in the kitchen. They came up with reclaimed-wood “skins” that wrap around and hide the plumbing while bringing a rustic architectural element into the space.
Also on the team: Nick Medlin (structural engineer and architect); Midsouth (cabinetmaker); Welborne + Wright (island countertop and wood skin beam); Surface Architectural Supply (flooring); Mick Anders (photographer)
See more of this home
Lighting: Rejuvenation
“Uh-oh” moment: Designers Breese Romano and Josh Romano needed to find a way to hide the plumbing for the second floor without lowering the ceiling in the kitchen. They came up with reclaimed-wood “skins” that wrap around and hide the plumbing while bringing a rustic architectural element into the space.
Also on the team: Nick Medlin (structural engineer and architect); Midsouth (cabinetmaker); Welborne + Wright (island countertop and wood skin beam); Surface Architectural Supply (flooring); Mick Anders (photographer)
See more of this home
Lighting: Rejuvenation
3. Mellow Modern
Designer: Jodie Rosen
Location: Toronto
Size: About 200 square feet (18.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A newly configured kitchen in a new addition that would include ample countertop and storage space.
Black and white: White cabinets, countertops, range hood and paneled fridge. Black framing around back range area to create drama and a focal point. Black metal island legs and oversized pendants. Black bar chairs and hardware.
Feeling inspired to renovate your kitchen?
Designer: Jodie Rosen
Location: Toronto
Size: About 200 square feet (18.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A newly configured kitchen in a new addition that would include ample countertop and storage space.
Black and white: White cabinets, countertops, range hood and paneled fridge. Black framing around back range area to create drama and a focal point. Black metal island legs and oversized pendants. Black bar chairs and hardware.
Feeling inspired to renovate your kitchen?
“Uh-oh” moment: “About halfway through the project, just as we were finalizing all the cabinetry drawings with the millworker, it came to our attention that the exterior walls were built out several inches more than what had been drawn in our plans,” designer Jodie Rosen says. “It meant sacrificing aisle space or island size, and the decision had to be made quickly to not hold up the schedule. We ended up shaving a fraction of an inch here and there to make it all work, and it worked out well. But there was a moment where I thought we were going to have to redesign the entire kitchen layout.”
Also on the team: Drew Laszlo (architect); Haddington Developments (builder); Chubin (millworker)
See more of this home
Wall, ceiling, trim and cabinet paint: Oxford White, Benjamin Moore; paint on millwork framing the range: Onyx, Benjamin Moore; countertops: Caesarstone in Pure White; backsplash: statuario marble-look porcelain; Masters chairs in black: Kartell, available on Houzz; Dome pendant lamp: Nuevo; hardware: Top Knobs; appliances: Tasco
Also on the team: Drew Laszlo (architect); Haddington Developments (builder); Chubin (millworker)
See more of this home
Wall, ceiling, trim and cabinet paint: Oxford White, Benjamin Moore; paint on millwork framing the range: Onyx, Benjamin Moore; countertops: Caesarstone in Pure White; backsplash: statuario marble-look porcelain; Masters chairs in black: Kartell, available on Houzz; Dome pendant lamp: Nuevo; hardware: Top Knobs; appliances: Tasco
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love your kitchen! It's my favorite architecture !
The very first kitchens colorful picture looks great with all the black and white around it.
Your black and white kitchen collection is exquisite!