I guess it depends on your tolerance. Some people need light and bright areas like they need nutrients. Others prefer the cozy quiet aspect of darker spaces. So no one can really tell you an absolute rule, because you are the one who needs to know the look and, more especially, the feel of your new space.

Mixing black with SS is fine. I love black appliances. My refrigerator is black, even though you can't see much of it behind all the photos! My hood and DW are black. DCS makes its stuff in SS, and that was fine with me. Also, my flooring is black. My granite is black. My knobs are black. Granted, my kitchen windows face south, but even at night it's beautiful imo.

shezzy..is that blue pearl granite?

Pattyk, that's actually Emerald Pearl, which isn't as bright as Blue Pearl. But when the light hits it just right the bluer pearls in it are everywhere. But in general, it's a darker granite than the Blue Pearl.

:) Everyone told me not to do it (black fridge, black appliances, black sink, black hardware) and I did anyway - and now when they see it they love it! Fear not - accept the black (in the right setting of course - our cabs are butternut maple so they are medium/light).

Sorry no pictures of everything yet. Am waiting for the kitchen to be done before showing to GW.

All of my appliances are black, my cabs are white, my granite is neutral & my floor terra cotta. I went with a much bigger fridge than I had previously (new fridge is samsung f-door, 25+ cu ft). I was really worried it would be a black hole, but it is not & I love it!

I think mixing black and stainless works especially if you have some black trim on the stainless and if you're not really AR about everything matching perfectly. Are your cabinets dark or light?

I love the look of my black appliances and maple cabinets. I don't love cleaning the black enamel stove, though. I've used black accents throughout the adjacent family room and I think it looks great.

I'm also not a SS fan. I find it too industrial for my tastes. I also prefer not looking exactly like everyone else.

I have black appliances and I hate it. Although it looks great, it shows every speck of dust. I can clean at night and by the next morning, the kitchen needs dusting! Never again!

I'm new to this forum and excited that I can actually chime in based on personal experience. My former kitchen was dark cherry wood with a black refrigerator. I had integrated FisherPaykel dishdrawers (loved them!) and black ovens. The cooktop was also a black modular unit that I HATED. Not because it didn't cook well, but because it was a real pain to keep clean. I was at my sils yesterday for Thanksgiving and she had the same brand--GE--and the same smearing problem with trying to keep it clean.

But back to your original question. Black looked lovely in my kitchen. I used Bianco Romano countertops (white gray with blood red streaks and sparkles) and a lighter tile floor. I think the key is lighting! Plan your lighting carefully.

Grins!
Sandra

I have black appliances and uba tuba granite. I'll have to echo the sentiments on keeping the glass cooktop clean and smear-free, but the overall look of my kitchen is great. We lightened it all up with the use of beige tile.

If you use the below-listed link, the photo album is the kitchen from start to finish.

DonnaR/CA

Here is a link that might be useful: Donna's kitchen

My appliances are all black and none are paneled, and I don't mind the look a bit. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: My Eventually Almost Mostly Finished Budget Craftsman Kitchen