Not a cookie cutter white kitchen

simple ways to spice up any white kitchen

In follow up to my post on white kitchens, I’d like to share some ideas on how to give a white kitchen your personal touch.

    

     



Color 

      
Painting the walls around the cabinets with medium to dark shades will create depth and definition: Your cabinets would instantly "pop out" visually.  A deep shade will be bold and dramatic, while a softer lighter shade will keep the look light, airy and calm. If your cabinets take most of the wall space, you can be more adventurous with vibrant colors or darker shades of neutrals, depending on the colors of the counter top, back splash and flooring and the look you're after. 

                                                          

The green walls emphasize the entrance to the dining room and echo the dining chairs

                                                            

      Painting the Inner sides of glass cabinets. An accent color will draw instant attention and visual interest. This works well if you wish to emphasize those cabinets. If they are sort of "randomly placed", painting them with an accent color would emphasize that too....

The painted upper cabinets emphasizes their different sizes of the cabinets. I assume there's another tall cabinet on the right side of the shorter one. otherwise, it wouldn't work well.

                                                                                  

      
     Back splash tiles. Depending on the look and feel you're looking for, neutral gray tiles are sophisticated and classy, while bright clean colors, like turquize look fresh and playful.

                                                                               

                                                                             

                                                                         source

      Colorful furniture. A pair of bright colored stools may be all you need to spark up your kitchen.

 

                                                                     

      Open shelving display. Works well if most of your kitchenware will be store behind doors.  Open shelving can look great if you own an interesting collection of kitchenware. Keep it light and cohesive in the spirit of "less is more" - a few pieces that relate well to each other (common colors, shape or style). 

The light gray paint and mosaic tiles create a perfect backdrop for this charming open shelving display. 

Pattern
White works well with grays and blacks, so patterns in these shades can be introduced          tile, upholstery

                                                        

                                              

        Unexpected lighting fixtures  can make a visual statement.While you need to consider the more practical issues of lighting such as wattage, ceiling heights and placing the fixtures in the right place, have fun choosing funky, artistic or unusual lighting fixtures.  For example, placing an outdoor lighting can be a surprising twist. Remember to keep the scale of the fixture appropriate.

      If you don’t have an island, an interesting pendant over the sink can work as well. 

Pottery barn's cluster of jar lighting fixture can be hanged over an island or a dining table

Tobi Farley's fabulous kitchen incorporates bluish gray cabinets and cool &shiny pendants over the island.

Katie Ridder's kitchen: cool fabric-like glass pendants, shiny aluminum bar stools and apple green accents 

                                                                       

          Unique appliances. With an almost standard look of stainless steel appliances, a unique stove or a hood will stand out and can be a focal point of interest.

The La Cornue range was hand made in France to designer Susan Dossetter's specifications. "It's so beautiful, it's almost like jewelry for the kitchen."

Eclectic furniture mix.  A vintage table or an interesting mix of chairs could transform the look from ordinary to unique. Mixing styles is always a unique look.

An eat-in kitchen featuring an eclectic mix of furniture pieces: Louis XV style chairs around a19th century French farmhouse table and   

Black accents. Black (or dark brown) adds depth and definition to any pale white room. Dark brown or gray objects would have a similar effect. It could be an interesting light fixture, a pair of wrought iron stools, black& white patterned upholstered chairs or window treatments. Even an interesting wall decor like a clock or a picture can do the trick . 

The black lanterns and stools make this all white kitchen look sharp and grounded

Mixing up accents (lighting, furniture, paint, tile or window treatments) can be done succesfully if    you coordinate and balance them well.

This fabulous white eat-in kitchen incorporates sage green and black accents. The warm wood flooring balances the cool palette

If you'd like help with color, redesigning or decorating your own home, contact me @ 

vered@veredrosendesign.com

617-584-9965

veredrosendesign.com

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 related posts
 kitchen lights that blend in with the view
 How to light up your kitchen
 white kitchens
 Choosing color - ugly and pretty cost the same!
 choosing the right lighting can do wonders

                                                                 

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