Sleek, spacious and consistent in its concept and color scheme, this contemporary black and white kitchen has elegant details that merit study. Despite considerable drama produced by the contrast of black and white surfaces, careful planning has produced a surprisingly serene overall effect. Anyone who knows my particular bias against upper cabinets -- which I feel too often intrude on working space at eye level -- will immediately note their absence here. Walls above the base cabinets are clad in black-stained planking that wraps around two sides of the room. A sink window is reduced to a narrow horizontal slit (no doubt to screen out a less than felicitous view over the main sink) while an adjacent glass door lets in light. The black partition at the end of the eating counter picks up the black-slab form while layering on function with a wall-size chalkboard surface on the working side. Keeping all the base cabinets white, with slab fronts -- and pulls instead of handles – maintains clean lines and emphasizes the play of surfaces and textures. Bosch double ovens, a low-profile electric smoothie cook top and stainless modernist vent hood blend seamlessly with the dishwasher and built in refrigerator-freezer. Round sinks (which many architects like to use) are a sole point of argument since they may not provide maximum space for larger pans and platters. They are well positioned however, and the prep sink close to the refrigerator could also work for a bar. A slick white ceiling provides the needed reflective surface required with dark walls and the pebbled vinyl floor is not exceptionally light absorbing yet very practical. Another obvious advantage of the kitchen is its size. While the distances between the refrigerator and stove might require a longer than average shuttle, it’s not difficult to envision this as a kitchen where guests could congregate during a party without ever getting in the way of the culinary action.

Tags: black and white kitchens, black and white pebble vinyl floor, black walls, blackboard wall, Bosch double ovens, built-in refrigerator, contemporary kitchens, Kitchens, round stainless steel sinks, white contemporary kitchen cabinets