Black cabinets show every smudge but nothing offers the same cool factor
An architectural kitchen should make a point about purity of design and this one definitely does. Apart from the island counter this entire room is black. The natural wood ceiling offers little light reflectiveness although some is gained by the counter-to-ceiling wall of stainless steel behind the range hood. While the other three kitchens have white floors to lighten them up, this floor is the same tone as the ceiling — think black sandwich.
Bulthaup-style cabinets, low-profile ovens, and a refrigerator set flush in the wall speak to the minimalist aesthetic. A blackboard wall — mounted with a flat-screen TV — creates a combination message board and media center, a cheeky touch but one that remains design-obedient. The space does get a bright pop from the white stone island counter top which lightens things up around the sink and visually pushes out the kitchen from the center.
High-gloss black Ikea cabinets, combined with a stainless counter and fittings, gives this galley kitchen a striking simplicity. Basically, it’s all on one wall — the custom counter with a short back splash features an integral double sink. The gas cooktop is also neatly built in along the line. So much for the work triangle. Cove lighting acts like illuminated crown molding helping to diminish glare off the stainless.
Deviating from the all-black formula, this apartment kitchen is designed with charcoal cabinets along the wall. Black lacquer is saved for the island. Looking at the layout, I would expect to see the cooktop set between the ovens and the built-in refrigerator on the end. Instead, it’s flipped onto the island — lateral to the sink — with an island chimney hood overhead. Lining the open space with stainless steel creates an area that functions like a modernist hutch with a lighted counter and shallow upper cabinets. White stone on the floor and the bar stool seats are a helpful contrast to all the dark and reflective surfaces.
A wall of lacquer cabinets and brushed stainless steel tambor doors give the built-in wall that houses this kitchen tremendous visual jazz. African zebrawood veneer behind the black electric cooktop is repeated on the base of the island, as is the polished black granite counter. It’s a guy look — akin to a media room — with stools that offer seats at the counter if someone doesn’t choose a plush chair nearby. The island also houses a sink of modest proportions and the black electric cooktop basically disappears into the polished black granite counter. It’s a kitchen but also a bit of a showpiece that — if not for the two big ovens — might lead you to think that the minimalism is also applied to cooking.
