kitchen design dilemma

15 years ago

My husband and I are renovating (nearly rebuilding) a house. It will be very modern, flat roof, open floor plan. He is the style guy of our household. My issue is that although I like the clean lines and simplicity of modern, I want the kitchen to be warm and inviting, and not look like a laboratory. So I need some ideas. I don't think a farmhouse sink would work, but we have a Franke stainless steel drop-in on the plan. I'm concerned that with stainless sink, range and fridge that it might be looking too industrial. (I could also use advice on appliances but I'll stick to the style for now.)

What kind of sink might work? Will the stainless be okay if I have white cabinets and some kind of light (maybe marble, maybe corrian) stone? Is there a way to make a kitchen with stainless appliances/sink still warm and cozy? I am leaning towards a Miele or Liebherr fridge (suggestions welcome!!) and a Capital range (not sure if metal or a color) and the Miele steam oven/convection combo. MW will probably go in a cabinet since I only use it for oatmeal and to heat up milk.

I really appreciate your input-- this is my first post.

Thanks,

Ellekay

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Comments (6)

User
15 years ago
Sure, you can have a warm modern kitchen! It involves using natural materials. Instead of white, what about natural cherry or light bamboo slab doors and a light granite or marble counter?

Natural cherry slab doors.

Something like this Rainforest Green?

A stainless farmhouse sink can work with that as well if you really want a farmhouse sink.

If you have your heart set on white cabinets, then look at how this walnut counter can bring natural warmth into the picture.

{{!gwi}}
cawaps
15 years ago
Ditto what GreenDesigns said. Natural materials are not at all incompatible with modern design and can do wonders to warm up a space. Wood, either for cabinets, countertops or floors can warm up a space. Natural stone can be used to create a Zen ambiance. I think it is harder to do white, modern and warm all at the same time, but as GreenDesigns pointed out, not impossible.

I just did some quick Google image searches: Zen kitchen, modern kitchen, modern kitchen warm, modern kitchen walnut, modern kitchen stone...I suggest you do the same and see what appeals to you. Make a portfolio, then run it by your husband to see what would fit in with his vision for the rest of the house.
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cawaps
15 years ago
For inspiration, here is a recent thread on this forum where a poster shows off her (his?) mid-century modern whole-house remodel. Very warm, very true to MCM, very awesome.

Here is a link that might be useful: MCMesprit's kitchen (whole house really) reveal
remodelfla
15 years ago
My kitchen is warm, contemporary, yet industrial in feel. Here's a sampling:
From Drop Box

It's incomplete... but you get the idea.
bahacca
15 years ago
My ILs have similar cabinets to the above and Palladio granite. It is so warm and inviting and modern.
dalmadarling
15 years ago
Completley agree with all of the above - modern can definitely be warm. I found a few examples that I thought might spark some inspiration for materials and show how the stainless appliances can mix well with warm woods / textures:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/house-on-bonita-court-sarasota-fl-modern-kitchen-phvw-vp~212608-on-Bonita-Court-Sarasota-FL-modern-kitchen-other-metros

https://www.houzz.com/photos/captiva-house-kitchen-tropical-kitchen-miami-phvw-vp~70574-House-Kitchen-tropical-kitchen-other-metros

https://www.houzz.com/photos/room-for-this-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~23880-for-this-Kitchen-modern-kitchen-san-francisco