The all-white kitchen – cabinets, back splash, counters – set the style for the first decade of the 21st century. It’s the “manor house” look modernized and marketed by English kitchen designer
Christopher Peacock [above], which draws directly from English kitchens of 100 years earlier. Usually described as “classic,” “timeless,” or “elegant,” it crawled from Carrara marble counters and white subway tile, to Calacatta d’oro marble counters and matching back splashes, but not much further in 10 years.
It’s lovely, well defined, neutral and easy to replicate but like anything repeated over and over again, it feels worn out. That’s why I believe the decade-long all-white kitchen trend is over. Going forward some new non-neutral element -- bold pops of color look freshest -- or something to move white into the background -- is needed. Here’s what looks newer to me.
Bold Appliances - Our pal Celeste D's claret-red Aga 6-4 range and color-matched Modernaire hood is one of the freshest updates of the white kitchen theme we've seen. Her white cabinets and the calacatta d'oro mosaic backsplash are present -- but not the point. (Photo: Robert Marvin)
Color-block Cabinets - Sixties orange has been a popular hue for furniture and accessories so it's no surprise to find it -- with a jolt of yellow -- in the kitchen. These Aster Cucine cabinets are matte lacquer, combined with blizzard Caesarstone and a laminate (old is new again) backsplash to match. Appliances are by Miele. (Photo via hamptondesign.com)
Countertop Bling - White Dynasty cabinets and Caesar Stone counters on the perimeter definitely take a back seat to the glitter of the ocean-colored
water glass island counter stabilized by a stainless steel underlay. Glass counters have a definite beachy look. (Photo via hamptondesign.com).
Pow! Backsplash - Brightly colored glazed tile -- even in the confined space of a back splash -- can make a dramatic statement as this kitchen by Suzanne Kasler clearly shows. Tying the 'splash into the island via matching bar-stool cushions heightens the impact. (Photo via cote de texas).
Color Inside Glass-Front Upper Cabinets - It's minimal but adding color inside upper cabinets still provides a welcome twist as this kitchen by Gil Schafer and Eve Ashcroft demonstrates. (From HB, Aug. 07, photo via Things That Inspire).
Tags: Aster Cucine, Attimag, CBD Glass, Miele appliances, Waterworks glass tile, White, white kitchen trends
January 31st, 2010 at 8:55 pm
I love that trend of bringing colors to appliances!
January 31st, 2010 at 9:42 pm
The blue backsplash is an amazing color!
February 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
Well! I guess I’m sooo stylin’ with my French blue range. Beautiful kitchens above. But I have to say, that a) I cannot believe it’s been 10 years already since Christopher Peacock kitchen. and b) to me, it looks as fresh and “now” as ever….
Guess it just means it’s a look I’ll never outgrow…
February 1st, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I’m a big fan of using a pop of color inside cabients.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Alison, I love the orange..I know that it is way to trendy, and will be out of date, but it is so cool. I posted about my kitchen last week…we painted one of the walls black…I guess that is about as opposite of white as is possible.
Susan
February 1st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I don’t think we’ll ever see the end of all white kitchens – but you are right, we will see new ways to use white and add pops of color. (Love the red Aga). The Christopher Peacock kitchen has warm wood accents and that’s what really makes it work
February 1st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Oh my! I am so much a glass person. That glass counter top just rocks my world. I have got so much glass in my life – glass tile in the shower walls, plate glass backsplash, more plate glass for the wet walls in another bathroom … I LOVE that glass counter above. Amazing. Beautiful.
Re: Suzanne Kasler’s blue backsplash … she does so love that clear blue, doesn’t she? She’s got pictures of her entry way and it is a clear pale blue of exactly that hue above (at least in all the pictures online.) DKC-29, if I recall right.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
These pictures are great! Love that blue back splash. Thanks for leaving me the nice note about the Anthro chest.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:04 am
People will, doubtless, still do all white kitchens. That’s not my point. The issue for me is the lack of individuality and the impersonal nature of so many kitchens. I find it odd in this era of personalization in so many other areas. It’s as if when you get close in, in your own house, you copy what someone else has instead of creating something. I’m not a granite person and from a design standpoint a lot of what people do with counters and backsplashes is not for me. But, when someone goes with something that expresses what they really love, I’m all for it.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 am
So with you on that Jane. And so tired of hearing the repeated warnings to avoid use of bold colors (or any color at all) in major aspects of the design scheme for fear it will date the project or impact resale value. If you don’t have a long term commitment to where you’re living, that advice may make sense. But, if you’re settled in for the long haul, my question is this: who are you designing your space for? For yourself or for an unknown prospective buyer at some other point in time? And, If it’s not for yourself, then whose life are you living?
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I always have said that my best work is in my job folders, not in my clients’ homes because in most cases, my more creative (not crazy) ideas are rejected for the safer choices. You don’t have to go too far afield to bring in some personal expression and creativity if you don’t want to. I nudge, cajole, and encourage my clients to be expressive. Sometimes it works better than others!
February 4th, 2010 at 1:02 am
well heck, I just found this on twitter from Ann Porter…after I just wrote my own post of LOVING white on white..anything. I think the problem is poorly done white kitchens. The ho hum same old same old. It is not the white that is problem but the boring white. I do love a pop of color as well or organiic design elements that help soften the room. I think real secret is just executing the design well. I have a white kitchen myself but a island with color ..and back of my cabinets are painted as well! 6 yrs later, people still love i and so do I. ~~Cheryl
February 4th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Thank you for sharing this. I LOVE appliances with color. I think we get so sucked into mimicking the same look. Clients are nervous to do something different. The biggest concern I hear is, “What if I get tired of the color?” If you pick a color you love, you won’t.
These are happy kitchens…all because of color.
Great piece attic mag!
mary-frances cimo, colordesigner