Kitchen Design
Before and Afters
Before and After: 4 Black-and-White Kitchen Makeovers
See how the chic color palette adds contrast and drama to these renovated kitchens
A black-and-white color palette has the advantage of being both classic and contemporary. The duality makes this popular color combo a great choice for kitchens, a space where many homeowners desire the most bang for their buck when remodeling. The high-contrast palette provides a fresh, updated look for kitchens across the style spectrum. Check out these four recent kitchen makeovers and let us know what you think.
Before Photo
After: A large new island occupies the center of the kitchen. “My clients planned on having family stay here often and they love to entertain,” Leasia says. “These spaces needed to be cozy enough for them to hang out just the two of them but gracious enough for large gatherings.” The island’s overhang gives them a spot to have casual meals together.
The large windows over the sink can be seen from the dining area, and the range wall can be seen from the living room. Tiling to the ceiling and using open shelves rather than upper cabinets keeps the look open and airy.
To add an organic, warm touch to the black-and-white color palette, the new cabinets and island base feature the same rift-cut white oak used in the living room.
Read more about this home remodel
The large windows over the sink can be seen from the dining area, and the range wall can be seen from the living room. Tiling to the ceiling and using open shelves rather than upper cabinets keeps the look open and airy.
To add an organic, warm touch to the black-and-white color palette, the new cabinets and island base feature the same rift-cut white oak used in the living room.
Read more about this home remodel
2. Midcentury Makeover
Before: The owners of this 1967 home in Boulder, Colorado, loved its sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. But inside it needed work to make it more functional. The owners reached out to Kate Van Sluyter of Kimball Modern Design + Interiors and the architects at Dodd-Studio to reconfigure the layout with materials and finishes consistent with the home’s midcentury design.
The kitchen had received updates over the years, but it still felt cramped and dated. The space included painted cabinets, formica countertops and an electric range.
Before: The owners of this 1967 home in Boulder, Colorado, loved its sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. But inside it needed work to make it more functional. The owners reached out to Kate Van Sluyter of Kimball Modern Design + Interiors and the architects at Dodd-Studio to reconfigure the layout with materials and finishes consistent with the home’s midcentury design.
The kitchen had received updates over the years, but it still felt cramped and dated. The space included painted cabinets, formica countertops and an electric range.
After: The renovation created a bright new space with a fresh black-and-white color palette and a soaring vaulted ceiling. The stunning L-shaped island features an engineered ultracompact slab surface similar to quartz and porcelain.
“I love that it’s a manmade material, so it doesn’t have the upkeep of marble or granite. It has beautiful natural veining and comes in a matte finish instead of gloss. So with all the light coming in, it doesn’t have the glare,” Van Sluyter says.
Other highlights of the new space include black walnut floors, a custom metal range hood, sliding barn doors and a trio of oversize contemporary pendant lights.
Read more about this home remodel
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“I love that it’s a manmade material, so it doesn’t have the upkeep of marble or granite. It has beautiful natural veining and comes in a matte finish instead of gloss. So with all the light coming in, it doesn’t have the glare,” Van Sluyter says.
Other highlights of the new space include black walnut floors, a custom metal range hood, sliding barn doors and a trio of oversize contemporary pendant lights.
Read more about this home remodel
Shop for contemporary wood pendant lights
3. Black, White and New
Before: With one of their sons already at college and the other soon to follow, these Washington, D.C., homeowners were ready to refresh their kitchen.
“This kitchen had been well-used — it had been like Grand Central Station for my clients and their boys over the years,” interior designer Kirsten Kaplan of Haus Interior Design says.
The former kitchen included a black-and-white color palette that the homeowners wanted to keep, but just about everything else needed to go, including the glass block backsplash, the microwave above the range and the red-toned wood floors.
Before: With one of their sons already at college and the other soon to follow, these Washington, D.C., homeowners were ready to refresh their kitchen.
“This kitchen had been well-used — it had been like Grand Central Station for my clients and their boys over the years,” interior designer Kirsten Kaplan of Haus Interior Design says.
The former kitchen included a black-and-white color palette that the homeowners wanted to keep, but just about everything else needed to go, including the glass block backsplash, the microwave above the range and the red-toned wood floors.
After: Kaplan used paneling that matches the cabinetry on the range hood, refrigerator and dishwasher for a uniform look. The finish on the cabinet hardware is matte black.
By replacing the microwave over the range with a microwave drawer in the island, Kaplan made room for a range backsplash and custom vent hood. She extended the marble-like polished quartz she used on the countertops up the backsplash wall. “This quartz has a beautiful veining pattern and it was nice to have this expanse to really show it off,” she says.
The floors were refinished in a more neutral tone.
Read more about this kitchen remodel
By replacing the microwave over the range with a microwave drawer in the island, Kaplan made room for a range backsplash and custom vent hood. She extended the marble-like polished quartz she used on the countertops up the backsplash wall. “This quartz has a beautiful veining pattern and it was nice to have this expanse to really show it off,” she says.
The floors were refinished in a more neutral tone.
Read more about this kitchen remodel
4. Black, White and Blue
Before: With three young children and relatives who visit often, these Westchester County, New York, homeowners wanted a kitchen that could serve as a hub for the entire family. They reached out to designer Rita Luisa Garcés of Bilotta Kitchens and the team at Hirshson Architecture + Design.
The previous kitchen had ceramic tile floors, an island with two counter stools and a packed appliance wall that included a cooktop, oven, microwave and refrigerator. A sliding glass door led to the backyard.
Before: With three young children and relatives who visit often, these Westchester County, New York, homeowners wanted a kitchen that could serve as a hub for the entire family. They reached out to designer Rita Luisa Garcés of Bilotta Kitchens and the team at Hirshson Architecture + Design.
The previous kitchen had ceramic tile floors, an island with two counter stools and a packed appliance wall that included a cooktop, oven, microwave and refrigerator. A sliding glass door led to the backyard.
After: Dark-stained oak flooring replaced the ceramic tiles. Two glass-paneled doors on either side of the sink wall now lead to the backyard and the new pool. The new light blue island doesn’t accommodate seating but it does provide a lot of storage and a prep sink.
The design team added a custom vent hood made of black metal and brass to complement the gas range and to pick up on the pendant lights above the island. The backsplash is classic white subway tile and the countertops are light gray marble. “This kitchen is a good example of transitional style,” Luisa Garcés says. “It features a nice balance of traditional and contemporary details.”
Read more about this kitchen remodel
More on Houzz
Before and After: 13 Dramatic Kitchen Transformations
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Shop for globe pendant lights on Houzz
The design team added a custom vent hood made of black metal and brass to complement the gas range and to pick up on the pendant lights above the island. The backsplash is classic white subway tile and the countertops are light gray marble. “This kitchen is a good example of transitional style,” Luisa Garcés says. “It features a nice balance of traditional and contemporary details.”
Read more about this kitchen remodel
More on Houzz
Before and After: 13 Dramatic Kitchen Transformations
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Shop for globe pendant lights on Houzz
Before: When these Portland, Oregon, homeowners reached out to designer Jenni Leasia of Jenni Leasia Interior Design, they requested a complete remodel for their early-1990s contemporary house in anticipation of making it their forever home.
The remodel plan included a new open layout that removed walls separating the kitchen, dining room and living room.
The original kitchen functioned well but its style was dated. With the new, more open floor plan, Leasia knew the space needed to be worthy of being seen from the dining and living rooms.
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