New This Week: 3 Serene Kitchens With Creamy White Cabinets
Consider off-white kitchen cabinets for a bright and airy space with a calming vibe
We all know that white kitchen cabinets are by far the most popular cabinet choice out there. But no two whites are created equal. Playing with tones can give your white cabinets a variety of moods and feels. If you’re looking for a warm, calming style and want a bright and airy space, consider going with creamy off-white kitchen cabinets. The following three kitchens should provide plenty of inspiration.
Other special features. Black Pearl satin-finish honed granite countertops. Dark gray tile backsplash. Wire-brushed 7-inch white oak flooring in a natural water-based finish. “The floors warmed the space and added just the right amount of coastal flair,” Becker says.
Designer secret. “Balance is the key,” Becker says. “While white countertops on white cabinets with white tile is classic and beautiful, don’t be afraid to bring on the warmth. I love to use darker matte materials and natural wood tones to add interest and depth to a space.”
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Designer secret. “Balance is the key,” Becker says. “While white countertops on white cabinets with white tile is classic and beautiful, don’t be afraid to bring on the warmth. I love to use darker matte materials and natural wood tones to add interest and depth to a space.”
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2. Tailored Transitional
Designer: Curtis Aloisio of Muretto Custom Homes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 448 square feet (42 square meters), including breakfast island and nook; 16 by 28 feet
Homeowners’ request. A classic, sophisticated and elegant kitchen with modern flair.
Cabinet paint color. Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball. “We have done cream colors in many homes recently due to their popularity, and we love them,” designer Curtis Aloisio says. “This particular color we have found to be the perfect blend of white and cream, without having any strong undertones of yellow. Although not very noticeable in the photos, the islands are actually a few shades darker than the main perimeter color of cream. This was a match to a Cloverdale Paint color called Harrow Gate, something that is used periodically through the home and we felt would tie the kitchen in with the rest of the home, also adding some additional interest and depth to the kitchen.”
Designer Secrets: 10 Pros Share Favorite Off-White Paints
Designer: Curtis Aloisio of Muretto Custom Homes
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Size: 448 square feet (42 square meters), including breakfast island and nook; 16 by 28 feet
Homeowners’ request. A classic, sophisticated and elegant kitchen with modern flair.
Cabinet paint color. Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball. “We have done cream colors in many homes recently due to their popularity, and we love them,” designer Curtis Aloisio says. “This particular color we have found to be the perfect blend of white and cream, without having any strong undertones of yellow. Although not very noticeable in the photos, the islands are actually a few shades darker than the main perimeter color of cream. This was a match to a Cloverdale Paint color called Harrow Gate, something that is used periodically through the home and we felt would tie the kitchen in with the rest of the home, also adding some additional interest and depth to the kitchen.”
Designer Secrets: 10 Pros Share Favorite Off-White Paints
Other special features. “The concept of the three islands was inspired by looking through Houzz at some amazing projects,” Aloisio says. “However, this situation was very different in regards to the size of the space and how to implement them in a practical, usable way and not just for show. We played with the dimensioning of the islands a lot before we landed on each island size, the spacing between them and how each would be utilized for cooking, eating and entertaining.” Other features include a wall of triple-pane glass sliding doors, and quartz countertops and a backsplash that look like Calacatta Gold marble.
Designer secret. “A thing of note which is not in the photographs is a hidden walk-in pantry,” Aloisio says. “We make it look like paneled cabinetry, but when opened it’s basically a door into a large walk-in pantry. Such a nice surprise for the unsuspecting.”
Designer secret. “A thing of note which is not in the photographs is a hidden walk-in pantry,” Aloisio says. “We make it look like paneled cabinetry, but when opened it’s basically a door into a large walk-in pantry. Such a nice surprise for the unsuspecting.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The thing we struggled with the most apart from the sizing and placement of the islands was where to place the main kitchen sink,” Aloisio says. “We even went to the extent of roughing it into a few locations so we had some options open when we ended up building the custom cabinets. What this came down to was functionality, and what ended up winning out was being able to stand at the sink and see the amazing view, landscaping and natural light coming in from the massive slide patio doors.”
Cabinet hardware: Freestone in polished nickel, Emtek
Browse cabinet and drawer hardware
Cabinet hardware: Freestone in polished nickel, Emtek
Browse cabinet and drawer hardware
3. Farmhouse Fresh
Designers: Keira St. Claire (interiors) and Sean Mullin of Anthony Wilder Design/Build; Builder: Paquin Design/Build
Location: St. Michaels, Maryland
Homeowners’ request. A calm, modern and serene kitchen inspired by the nearby bay without having an obvious water theme.
Cabinet paint color. Warm off-white, one of the cabinet company’s custom offerings. “It’s bright and calming, and leaves the space feeling open,” designer Keira St. Claire says.
Other special features. Custom hand-poured concrete countertops. Glossy hand-cut and -colored porcelain tile that mimics the movement of water. Wrought iron pendants and bar stools, the latter of which are upholstered in leather.
Designers: Keira St. Claire (interiors) and Sean Mullin of Anthony Wilder Design/Build; Builder: Paquin Design/Build
Location: St. Michaels, Maryland
Homeowners’ request. A calm, modern and serene kitchen inspired by the nearby bay without having an obvious water theme.
Cabinet paint color. Warm off-white, one of the cabinet company’s custom offerings. “It’s bright and calming, and leaves the space feeling open,” designer Keira St. Claire says.
Other special features. Custom hand-poured concrete countertops. Glossy hand-cut and -colored porcelain tile that mimics the movement of water. Wrought iron pendants and bar stools, the latter of which are upholstered in leather.
Designer secret. “‘Less is more’ definitely applies to this design and to a modern aesthetic in general,” St. Claire says. “We are most calm in spaces with little clutter or items to fill our spaces and distract us from relaxing. Calm colors here complement but fade into the background of the waterfront views. Layers of texture and natural materials speak to the natural landscape.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The tile manufacturer sent the wrong-color tile [for the] backsplash, and the contractor was halfway through installing before we made it over for the site visit,” St. Claire says. “We had to have it taken down, and we reordered the correct tile.”
Bar stool: David in metal and leather, Noir; pendant: Timpano in antique charcoal, Currey & Co.; wall paint: Seapearl, Benjamin Moore; project photos: John Cole Photography
More on Houzz
Must-Try Color Combo: White With Warm Off-White
Designer Secrets: 10 Pros Share Favorite Off-White Paints
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“Uh-oh” moment. “The tile manufacturer sent the wrong-color tile [for the] backsplash, and the contractor was halfway through installing before we made it over for the site visit,” St. Claire says. “We had to have it taken down, and we reordered the correct tile.”
Bar stool: David in metal and leather, Noir; pendant: Timpano in antique charcoal, Currey & Co.; wall paint: Seapearl, Benjamin Moore; project photos: John Cole Photography
More on Houzz
Must-Try Color Combo: White With Warm Off-White
Designer Secrets: 10 Pros Share Favorite Off-White Paints
Get kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer near you
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Chelsey Becker of Dwell Interiors
Location: Village of Loch Lloyd, Missouri
Homeowners’ request. A white coastal kitchen that wouldn’t feel too cold and sterile.
Cabinet paint color. Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams. “It’s my favorite warm white for cabinets,” says designer Chelsey Becker, who used Houzz photos with her clients to help her understand their vision.
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