Modern Kitchen Design
Sanora Ngueyn
While warm, neutral color schemes, natural-influenced materials, and seamlessly integrated floor plans are du jour, there are other signature identifiers of a modern kitchen. Pops of color ensure that these contemporary kitchen designs still feel warm and welcoming, as do big windows that let in the sun, an architectural light fixture, or a piece of bold artwork or decor.
Having a dream home in the Caribbean most likely means a modern kitchen will be the focal point of your island dwelling. This kitchen located on the island of St. Barts was designed by architects Charles Gwathmey and Kang Chang and features multiple tones of wood throughout the space, including the cabinets, kitchen island, and legs of the chair stools. The natural elements are accented by the spacious windows on the walls which lets in the tropical sunlight. This is modern kitchen decor at its finest.
Michael S. Smith imbued this Chicago kitchen with his signature elegance, employing mosaic wall tiles by Ann Sacks and York Street Studio stools clad in a Jasper leather. The glimmering ceiling adds a striking textural contrast to the elegant neutral palette.
Open and spacious, with playful abstract tile flooring, this kitchen in Burbank, California, was designed by Hub of the House Studio. According to the founder Karen Harautuneian, the homeowner requested a functional footprint and a strong design statement. A generous use of both warm and cool colors, along with the bold terrazzo floor tile and concrete countertops, sets the tone.
Designer Suzanne Rheinstein and architect Christopher Manson-Hing created this open-concept kitchen in Santa Barbara, California. The expansive floating range hood draws the eye as a functional and a statement piece. The cream-colored cabinets and brown-and-white countertops create a cohesive environment, which is accentuated by the sunrays that flow through the skylight.
Sometimes the simplest palettes are the most elegant of all. Shelton, Mindel & Associates updated the kitchen of a classic Hamptons country house with Bulthaup cabinetry and stools, a Viking range and hood, and a simple backsplash of white Waterworks tile.
In the kitchen of an Aspen home by designer Shawn Henderson and architect Scott Lindenau, a vintage Louis Poulsen pendant light from Lost City Arts commands attention above a Caesarstone-topped island and Orange Furniture barstools upholstered in an Edelman leather.
This Hamptons kitchen by design firm Sawyer Berson and decorator Randi Puccio has a Wolf range and hood and Holly Hunt stools. While the materials are clean and contemporary, a mosaic tile backsplash adds interest.
Design duo Dufner Heighes chose marble surfaces in this Manhattan penthouse kitchen, where a unique ceiling commands attention. The space is equipped with Miele wall ovens, a Gaggenau cooktop, Dornbracht sink fittings, and a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator; the Suite NY stools are clad in a Holland & Sherry fabric. In the breakfast area, the painting is by Tom Cassidy, and the credenza and Tai Ping carpet were custom made.
A folk-art rooster from the 1800s overlooks a modern New York City kitchen designed by Robert Passal. The cabinets are made of stainless steel, which is a timeless, solid choice for workhorse kitchens.
Statement lighting need not be limited to the living or dining room. A midcentury light fixture by Gio Ponti is positioned above a Boffi breakfast bar and stools from Design Within Reach in the kitchen of a London rowhouse decorated by Veere Grenney.
A sunlit kitchen in Paradise Valley, Arizona, by architect Marwan Al-Sayed and designer Jan Showers feels at home in its natural setting thanks to its white-oak flooring and wood cabinets, but still manages to pack a punch. The beautiful light fixtures are vintage Murano glass.
Architect Marc Whipple devised this handsome Beverly Hills home, while the interiors were handled by Tocha Project. Varenna by Poliform lacquer in a brilliant hue enlivens the kitchen, which is outfitted in oak cabinetry .
Make classic white more of a statement with a glossy finish. A glass backsplash sets a polished tone in a Washington, DC, kitchen designed by Sols Betancourt & Sherrill. A hood by Gaggenau hangs above the gleaming Caesarstone island, where dessert is served.
The biggest "aesthetic vs. function" decision I made in this space was deciding not to include upper cabinets. This was initially an aesthetic decision as I love the clean, spacious look of a kitchen with no uppers, but actually turned out to be a practical one as well: firstly, we'll save a lot of money. And secondly, this kitchen is much larger than anything we've ever had before PLUS we have the walk-in pantry, so I feel comfortable that we will have more than enough storage. What's the use of paying for cabinets we don't need? In terms of cabinet design and functional storage, I plan on doing back-to-back 12 inch depth cabinets under the kitchen island for dishes and glassware, and a pull out right next to the oven which will store oils and spices.
As of this moment, I'm planning on soapstone countertops (the island will have a waterfall edge) BUT I'm still doing my research. They aren't maintenance free and they do show wear and patina, so I'm just deciding if this is something that is a positive or a negative for me. Right now, soapstone countertops have won my heart. Another option is quartz that looks like soapstone. (This would be more budget-friendly plus quartz is zero maintenance.)
The faucet is my husband's choice as he does the dishes and "doesn't want anything fancy." This was an easy concession to make. We are adding a soft water loop so we will also have a little baby faucet next to it for drinking water. The lighting (3 sconces and 2 island pendants) will be mainly brass which will tie in with the cabinet hardware.
My best kitchen design tip if you are working on a kitchen design, is to take stock of everything that will be stored in your drawers and cabinets. Take note of all your essential inventory and plan out where those items will go as you design your cabinet and drawer layout. If you are going with the open shelf concept and minimizing or eliminating upper cabinets, this may be the time to purchase those eye appealing daily dishes (bowls, beverage glasses, dinner plates, etc). Open shelving is definitely not for all the mismatched hand me down dishes or plastic sippy cups. Put those items in drawers. The idea is for your shelves to look like a pretty display yet be fully functional and stocked with dishes you will use daily.
You have done an Amazing job in designing your Kitchen and whole house!! I have been watching the whole process of building your home quietly.
I loved your idea of doing two islands instead of one. It must be so functional for big parties and hidden stools to give that clean look.
everything is so perfect in your kitchen!!!
I am not a big comment maker but your house is a showstopper and would say one of the best on IG right now ?
Hi Smita! I truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a sweet comment here. I love hearing from my readers, especially those who have followed along through the process of building this home. It makes all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that went into this home more affirming. Thank you for following along!
Do you find that with the row of stools furthest from the range is just too far away? Are you shouting to whoever sits there, and do you feel like you have to walk so far just to put a plate down in front of the stools?
Aways, I modeled it in Sketchup since I like seeing things beforehand so I can be 100% about any design decisions. My plan was to remove the wall separating the existing dining room and kitchen and push back the kitchen into that space. The cabinets are in a U-shaped layout, with a bar and stools on the back of a peninsula. I really like the look of continuous, horizontal shelving so I added that in as well.
The kitchen will have an 11ft island, with a concrete waterfall countertop. This is where the Riverby sink from Kohler will be. Their option to choose sink finishes is what really drew me to the sink, as we are going to be installing a creamy white concrete countertop and I wanted it to blend in pretty seamlessly. I think the brushed gold faucet against the creamy white countertops and warm light oak cabinetry is going to create a really inviting and warm space.
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Robert and Christina are the husband-and-wifeduo behind the lifestyle and design blog New Darlings. Since 2013, they've been documenting their life in the Southwest andrefining their personal style. Follow along for snapshots into slow living, organic design, style finds and peaceful interiors.
I think it takes testing out some different things before you really figure out what you love for your home style. With this remodel, we have so much more confidence in what we love and are looking forward to making some bolder choices. One of those? This kitchen!
This is the vision that we have for the space. The olive green cabinets, with black accents make it moody but overall still light and bright with white walls, light grey countertops and white oak laminate flooring.
They actually supplied and installed the countertops at our last place and we were happy with their work and also their price. We were able to get in on a cancellation which helped fast track the process for us.
The first thing we decided is that we wanted coloured cabinets this time around. We went white in our last place and wanted to have a bit more fun. We chose a beautiful medium dark greenish grey. The colour we chose is called Dakota from General Paint (see comparable paint colours here). That was the start of these green kitchen design plans- everything worked from this decision!
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