Before and After: 4 Gorgeous White, Black and Wood Kitchens
See how leaning into different parts of this ever-popular palette can create a wide range of looks
Want a multicolored palette that hits all the right notes without veering into a cacophony? Look to the classic composition of white, black and wood. While each is a distinct neutral, they harmonize for a result that’s clean but not sterile, dramatic but not melodramatic, warm but not suffocating. And changing the amount of each tone lets you perfectly orchestrate your kitchen’s style to suit your taste. Below, see how designers created four completely different looks using this tried-and-true color trio.
Before Photo
After: Jacobsen used Houzz ideabooks to collaborate with the homeowners, and the modern farmhouse design she and Pogonitz created feels fresh and clean yet grounded and warm.
Two particularly nice touches: The wood ceiling beams were reclaimed from an old farmhouse, with the flooring and alder base cabinets picking up the cue. And the fridge (to the left of the wall ovens) has an extended panel front to align with the top of the cabinets, making for one gloriously streamlined storage wall with no wasted space.
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Two particularly nice touches: The wood ceiling beams were reclaimed from an old farmhouse, with the flooring and alder base cabinets picking up the cue. And the fridge (to the left of the wall ovens) has an extended panel front to align with the top of the cabinets, making for one gloriously streamlined storage wall with no wasted space.
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Before Photo
Before: Banks of wood cabinets on the other side of the existing kitchen underscored the heaviness.
After: Glass-front cabinets provide openness and help break up the generous use of white. The kitchen feels so open, in fact, that you might never even guess what a challenge it was fitting everything — including a 3-by-10-foot island with seating — into this relatively narrow space while maintaining wide pathways.
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Before Photo
“After” photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
2. Lighter Spanish Look
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with four kids and a Labrador
Location: Las Vegas
Size: 320 square feet (30 square meters)
Designer: Rebecca Zajac of RMZ Interiors & Design by Numbers
Before: The homeowners loved the arch of their Las Vegas kitchen, but the dark 1990s Mediterranean style, confining soffit and mostly unused niche weren’t ideal. They hired designer Rebecca Zajac to create an airier space with high-end appliances and a custom look.
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2. Lighter Spanish Look
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with four kids and a Labrador
Location: Las Vegas
Size: 320 square feet (30 square meters)
Designer: Rebecca Zajac of RMZ Interiors & Design by Numbers
Before: The homeowners loved the arch of their Las Vegas kitchen, but the dark 1990s Mediterranean style, confining soffit and mostly unused niche weren’t ideal. They hired designer Rebecca Zajac to create an airier space with high-end appliances and a custom look.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
After: Zajac didn’t just preserve the favored arch, she carried the idea to the new butler’s pantry opening, range area and island for an elegant look and creative, Spanish-inspired flair. Generous swaths of white allow the island, made of black stained oak and with turned legs, to take center stage. A floor-to-ceiling black stained oak storage wall balances the island and helps ground the design.
Wall and ceiling paint: Milk Glass, Dunn-Edwards; cabinetry: RMZ Interiors & Design by Numbers
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Wall and ceiling paint: Milk Glass, Dunn-Edwards; cabinetry: RMZ Interiors & Design by Numbers
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Before Photo
“After” photo by Form + Field
3. Better Storage and Updated Surfaces
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two teenage sons
Location: Berkeley, California
Size: 278 square feet (26 square meters), including banquette dining area
Designers: Christine Lin and Gabrielle Barnard-Eads of Form + Field
Before: All the basics? Check. But elements of this San Francisco Bay Area kitchen — such as insufficient storage, an off-center sink faucet and a scuffed island — were frustrating, and the last renovation had been done 20 years prior. The homeowners tapped Form + Field after loving one of the firm’s kitchens posted on Houzz, and designers Christine Lin and Gabrielle Barnard-Eads got to work.
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
3. Better Storage and Updated Surfaces
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two teenage sons
Location: Berkeley, California
Size: 278 square feet (26 square meters), including banquette dining area
Designers: Christine Lin and Gabrielle Barnard-Eads of Form + Field
Before: All the basics? Check. But elements of this San Francisco Bay Area kitchen — such as insufficient storage, an off-center sink faucet and a scuffed island — were frustrating, and the last renovation had been done 20 years prior. The homeowners tapped Form + Field after loving one of the firm’s kitchens posted on Houzz, and designers Christine Lin and Gabrielle Barnard-Eads got to work.
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
After: Copious white oak cabinetry forms a serene and unobtrusive backdrop, letting striking white marble with dramatic veining have its moment. Black hardware and other black details play supporting roles. The new kitchen’s color palette also includes dark lilac (the marble veining) and deep blue (the seat cushions and pendant lights) for added intrigue.
The designers also switched up the layout, including moving the fridge to the other side of the kitchen to make room for a pantry cabinet. And of course, the new sink faucet is perfectly centered under the window.
Backsplash and island top: Lilac marble, Integrated Resources Group; stools: Henry, Hedge House Furniture; seat fabric: Dot, Dot, Dot… in Vintage Blue, Perennials Fabrics; faucet: Odin in matte black, Brizo
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The designers also switched up the layout, including moving the fridge to the other side of the kitchen to make room for a pantry cabinet. And of course, the new sink faucet is perfectly centered under the window.
Backsplash and island top: Lilac marble, Integrated Resources Group; stools: Henry, Hedge House Furniture; seat fabric: Dot, Dot, Dot… in Vintage Blue, Perennials Fabrics; faucet: Odin in matte black, Brizo
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Before Photo
“After” photos by Alyssa Lee Photography
4. Clearer Sightlines and More Connected
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Woodland, Minnesota
Size: 348 square feet (32 square meters)
Designer: Colleen Slack of Fox Interiors
Before: Elements dating to 1978 were just one of this Minnesota kitchen’s issues. A 90-by-36-inch vent hood (you can spy an edge of it here at far left) dominated the space, blocked views and posed a head-banging risk. Connection to adjacent areas was lacking. And an abundance of dark wood created a heavy feel despite plenty of windows. The homeowners brought on designer Colleen Slack to give the kitchen a warm and modern look that would feel refined but in keeping with the home’s woodsy setting.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
4. Clearer Sightlines and More Connected
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Woodland, Minnesota
Size: 348 square feet (32 square meters)
Designer: Colleen Slack of Fox Interiors
Before: Elements dating to 1978 were just one of this Minnesota kitchen’s issues. A 90-by-36-inch vent hood (you can spy an edge of it here at far left) dominated the space, blocked views and posed a head-banging risk. Connection to adjacent areas was lacking. And an abundance of dark wood created a heavy feel despite plenty of windows. The homeowners brought on designer Colleen Slack to give the kitchen a warm and modern look that would feel refined but in keeping with the home’s woodsy setting.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: Newly clear sightlines, larger openings and a backdrop of creamy white give the kitchen an open and bright vibe. Black window frames and dark granite countertops add definition, walnut cabinetry brings warmth and nods to the nature outdoors, and geometric wallpaper contributes a lively midcentury note.
Wallpaper: Schumacher
Wallpaper: Schumacher
A new built-in banquette, with black-and-wood Scandinavian modern-inspired chairs and a George Nelson Ball clock, takes advantage of the woodsy views and fits the warm modern theme. Open shelves display some of the homeowners’ favorite pieces collected from their travels around the world.
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Read more about this project
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1. Farmhouse Refresh With Cleaner Lines
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their three young children
Location: Northbrook, Illinois
Size: 255 square feet (24 square meters)
Designers: Nancy Jacobson of Kitchen Design Partners (kitchen design) and Rebecca Pogonitz of GOGO Design Group (interior design)
Contractor: Macnon Builders
Before: Long on brown and short on efficient use of space, this suburban Chicago kitchen was ripe for a makeover. The dark look, cluttered vibe and desk built into the fridge wall had to go.
The owners initially wanted to nix wood entirely and go all-white with the redesign, but kitchen designer Nancy Jacobson and interior designer Rebecca Pogonitz steered them in the direction of using wood for balance.
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