It's a great kitchen! I can see why you like it. I don't normally like paneled refrigerators, but in this case, it was essential to keep the room from being "choppy". I like the white hood, too. It appears that the only thing stainless is the stove and that works. They did not make the mistake of just using white appliances.

My only hesitation about black countertops is that they do show every single fingerprint, and if the room is dark, it may make it feel darker.

One absolutely must use a pure white - no cream - for the cabinets in order to make it all pop. I would strongly suggest soapstone which will be very sympathetic to the age of your house.

You've got a good eye!

The configuration (galley) matches yours, so you can immediately project yourself there. You perhaps like certain elements that you called out, like the white cabinets and the look of a statement range. You may also like the period light fixture or the symmetry of cabinets all the same height. And you may prefer the undermount cast iron sink that complements the veining in the black countertops. You almost certainly want black countertops. It's a beautiful kitchen. Seriously, what's not to love.

I think its the warm yellow in the wall art and the warm tone in the rug. Black and white can be cold, so you need to add warm textures as well as colors. Art, rugs tea towels, wood shelving etc can all help bring warm colors and warm layered textures to stark colors. I have a black and white kitchen and did lots of copper and oil rubbed bronze and some wood shelves.

Accessories that warm it up. Matchstick blinds, art with gold accents, runner with sisal colour with the black, plants, fruit. You're also right about the warmth of the colour, too. I love white and black kitchens, but I often see them with such cool white cabs that they seem to suck the life right out of the room. I'm sure some appreciate a cool white, but I prefer warm whites.

I also notice that both #2 and #3 have glossy backsplashes. While it could be tile vs. not, it could also be glossy vs. not.

To me it looks like the counter in your first picture is more matt-looking...perhaps look at soapstone or leathered black granites for your remodel.

I agree that it’s likely the snug dimensions combined with the fact that the entire space is clad in wood. The 2nd picture’s vaulted ceiling and choppy cabinets feels disjointed. The kitchen with the cool white cabs, glossy backsplash, and more cool color accessories is downright chilly. Your inspiration kitchen is narrow with standard height ceiling which feels warm and cozy. Wood walls, cabs, and fridge. The black soapstone feels soft visually. It’s all so lovely I don’t even notice the gorgeous range.

Here’s my own take on the three kitchens, and I agree, that first one is pretty awesome. First one: I like kitchens when they have the stone backsplash, but when they’re dark like that soapstone one is then good lighting is crucial. That kitchen has has good lighting, at least for the photograph it does. The bead board adds nice texture and the color matches the cabinetry, the scale of it looks nice I think because it’s not too busy and small. The soapstone isn’t just plain black, it has veining, that adds texture and looks unique. The artwork isn’t too small, it’s almost too big, but it works because it takes up so much of the wall and other stuff is large scale. There is a lot of texture in the kitchen, but not a lot of colors blaring at you.
Second kitchen: it’s mostly warm looking, the cabinetry is a nice creamy white, the wall color compliments nicely, the flooring is nice and warm, the baskets add nice texture... and then the tile backsplash is a cool white. To me it’s a little too jarring. I think it could still work, but I think I’d have to add more colors of wood or something, might even change the paint color, not sure, but I wouldn’t feel settled with it as is.
Third kitchen: I think that’s a very pretty kitchen too, it’s a little more cool toned I think, which I’m personally partial to. I think the color of white in the backsplash tile and the color of white in the kitchen cabinetry go very well together and reminds me of my own kitchen which I love very much. The counter is nice, but a little flat looking... by that I mean that it doesn’t look very textured. I personally like textures a lot... I like seagrass rugs and nubby linen pillow covers on my couches, I like swirly grained wood and fossils in stone... that’s the kind of stuff I’m drawn to. The one thing I’m not crazy about in that kitchen is the color of the wood floor, it’s a little too cool and bland looking for my tastes. I like cool colors like blues and greens and crisp whites that pop, but I like warm wood colors to contrast with that. Anyways, that’s MY take on those three kitchens, hopefully something I said is helpful to you in figuring out why you’re drawn to the first one more than the others.

I think it's a combo of being a galley configuration, the prominent period appropriate hardware (we looked at some early 40s houses, including one with its original cabinets, and I love hardware from that era). The white seems pretty warm, too, which is cozy. I like the old school hanging fixture and lack of can lights (that could be a factor, too). Additionally, I agree about the wood panel not-tile backsplash. I'll likely be putting beadboard backsplash in my Victorian kitchen remodel - tile and stone just doesn't feel right, and definitely wasn't a thing they did back then, so it feels off. But dang, they put beadboard everywhere.

The first pic has soapstone counters. That's the lynchpin. A much warmer feeling than black quartz or black granite. You could also get a soapstone that has more of the white veining. You could also decide not to oil your soapstone counters so that they stay more in a gray charcoal color rather than black - a lot of people prefer that. Be aware that soapstone comes in different hardnesses. You want to try to find one that's not too soft because it will scratch more easily. Some of the soapstones out there are surprisingly hard, a good thing.

The inset cabinets in the first picture look particularly nice. And, you should never underestimate the visual appeal of an old fashioned espresso machine. That kitchen is indeed gorgeous. I am partial to white and soapstone though.

One thing that stands out to me to give it a period feel are the visible hinges on the upper cabinets, especially combined with the latches vs handles/knobs. The kitchen I grew up in had those latches and the 1940's kitchen we renovated had those exposed hinges on inset white cabinets.

If you like the soapstone look (I know I do!) but don’t want to worry about oiling it or scratching it, there are some dark leathered granites that give you a very similar look. Virginia Mist in a leathered finish is one in particular. I personally have steel grey leathered granite, which I adore, but is likely too cool for what you want. I originally wanted soapstone, but we couldn’t find one we liked and could afford in our area. I stayed for a while at an Airbnb once where they had a beautiful craftsman style home and kitchen with soapstone counters, I practically grilled them on how they liked them and what they did to them... they kept theirs oiled, and she said they did it pretty frequently at first, but now they hardly do anything to them. She showed me a tiny chunk out where she dropped something heavy on it, but you could barely see it, and only at one angle, and it wasn’t really deep enough to be of concern with crumbs getting caught in it. Neither she or I thought it was a big deal at all. I really loved those counters. But I also love my leathered granite. LOL!

To me it’s the soapstone. A much softer look than most other black countertop options.

It's a lovely kitchen! On my screen, the walls and the cabinets are the same colour.... maybe a different sheen? I also don't see a shiny backsplash, and of course the counter isn't shiny either. Those counters look like my Barroca soapstone. They don't show fingerprints at all, but they do scratch easily.

Your kitchen is small, and so I'd avoid inset cabinets and get frameless cabinets instead. Inset cabinets have less interior room. In a large kitchen it doesn't matter, but in a small kitchen, you need every inch of storage. Some inset cabinets won't fit dishes that are larger than 9" diameter.

Make sure to take the upper cabinets to the ceiling. Your second photo has a slanted ceiling which can look awkward. The third pic has a soffit. You would do better with no soffit and a minimal 3" crown which will allow more cabinet space instead of spending space on crown. How tall are your ceilings?

For me it is the darker color of the floor, the consistency of the white walls (pic #2 has that incongruous beige, bluish too shiny tile; both #2 &#3 have pale floors), the backsplash behind the stove -- it all hangs together better in #1, or maybe the contrasts are more balanced.

ETA: I agree with Friedajune, the different crowns and height of the cabinets make a big difference also. #1 is all in proportion.

Wow, thanks everyone for your feedback - I'm glad you're more perceptive than I am, or at least better at articulating!

Thank you, Anglophilia, for chiming in and complimenting my 'eye' - based on your and others' comments, it might be that I am attracted to the expensive items! A paneled fridge, soapstone, inset cabinets. But I think you're right!

Nicole - good point about the hardware and cabinetry. I must say I love the look of inset cabinetry but wonder if it's impractical in such a small space (vs. frameless), but will meet with a custom cabinetry guy soon.

daisychain and cawaps - I think the art and accessories are important - they do seem to be more refined in the kitchen I like vs the others. I try to not to be swayed by that (when looking at inspiration photos, just as with house hunting), but I know it's important!

To rantontoo, friedajune, Rita and crl_ and everyone who all mentioned the soapstone - I think that's a big part of it. I love soapstone and the other counters in comparison look lifeless to me. Sigh - I'm afraid I'd be one of those people who would cry when it chipped...

Renov8or and queenvictorian - I bet you're right about the layout being similar. I didn't think of that, but it did make it easier to visualize.

acdesignsky, shadywillowfarm (beautiful kitchen!) and skmom - you mentioned wood and texture, and I now that I look back I think that's a huge component of it. The wood blind really - for some reason - is important (I put my finger over it in the photo to block it out, and it really changed the feel of the photo for me). And I love the warmth of wood vs tile... I think it settles it, I may forego having a tile backsplash!

Thanks sherri and raee! Friedajune, you asked about my ceiling height - it's 8'4" (?), so I do plan to bring cabinets to the ceiling. Agree frameless would be better, but inset are just so pretty. :) An aside: do custom cabinet makers do frameless, or is that only done by IKEA/big box stores? I need to research that a bit more...

I think cabinetmakers who do frameless are not as common, but I found one by googling "frameless cabinets ohio". He was good and moderate in price, too! I may have been extraordinarily lucky, but try it.

I saw some frameless that had the look of inset just recently, but can't remember where. Was it Ikea? Or maybe in BH&G or Martha Stewart magazine...

Could it be something so simple as camera angle? In the one you like, the counters are clearly seen and, so, provide a break from all the white. The other 2 look like a lot of white barely broken up (visually) by a thin black line...

The first one has a lot of homey touches, also...it's staged, but in a very clever way...

their stone is gorgeous. color, veining, details of fabrication,everything. I'd think it's very expensive countertop/backsplash

details are impeccable-or close to it. great proportions. feeling of appropriatness to the house

feeling of "softness" and warmth because of the stone, and as others pointed out(actually all that I say was already said many times), wood and texture and hint of that live gold in blinds and accessories

lastly, to me two words "Laguna Beach" immediately add appeal..)))

White Inset cabinets, nice hinges, soapstone counters make this kitchen.

Honed via lactea or Virginia mist, mimic soapstone well and are tough.

I have a 1948 house and did inset cabinets for my uppers. Freidajane, I just ordered them deeper so my dishes would fit -easy solution. My cabinets are by Shiloh, and there is no up change for full inset, but exposed hinges are not an option. I was disappointed at first but am glad now - the would have just collected dog hair, an abundance of which I have in my kitchen since I got my new dog, two months ago!

For the lower cabinets, I did European frameless cabinets to get as much storage real estate as possible. I like the two together- very seamless look on the bottom. It’s the uppers people notice!

While the old fashioned latches on the uppers are charming, they would be a total nuisance to open. I would use a classic pull such as the one I used

I keep this video for inspiration - I really like this kitchen. It has many of the things you're responding too

I suspect it's the lighting that plays a big part of it for me

https://houseandhome.com/video/small-yet-grand-townhouse/

Thanks everyone! chijim, that's a great video - I really like that kitchen! Everyone is so perceptive it really is the combination of everything. Now I need to see if I can afford all these great nuances - the biggest expense (at least outside of what I had considered) would actually be an integrated paneled fridge. Not sure it's worth it ($2K vs. $6K)... and Zalco I will definitely look into the soapstone alternative granites you mentioned - the via lactea is gorgeous!

Anglophilia - I never noticed that you did frameless lowers, that's a great idea since it's drawer space I worry about the most.

I think your inspiration kitchen tops the video version, mainly because of the matte surfaces v glossy (sink, cab hardware, range) in the video. Thank you for presenting these photos: this thread has been instructive!

The inspiration pic has an integrated fridge (in a non functional location-LOL), and we only get a side view of the large range. Imagine if that Wolf range was on the back wall - it would overpower the space. The color and sheen of the range and MW in the 2nd pic are in stark contrast with the cabs; the glossy tile is distracting; and the walls and cabs are different colors. And the clashing roof line and cabinet heights - yikes!

The 3rd pic is not too bad but, if the glossy tile were replaced with a matte surface (painted same color as cabs & wall), then it would be very good.

I am now looking at my kitchen (with its glossy tile, SS and black appliances, and shiny quartz) with a critical eye, wondering what I can to to improve the look.

I have that video saved, too, chijim.

I think another reason you like this one so much better, in addition to what's been said before, is that they had a much, much better photographer than the other examples did.

I love the kitchen, and I think it's a combination of things that really lend to it's appeal:

1. The Soapstone counters with the runnels at the sink, and the classic 4" back splash are very period correct for this home. And while there are "other" dark counters and "wanna be" soapstones, IMO there is no substitute for the real thing..
2. The inset cabinetry with the latches and exposed hinges. Again period correct and in keeping with the authenticity of the homes era.
3. The correct white paint on both the cabinets and woodwork. Not too bright and stark, but not overly any other undertone. Something like S-W Pure White, or Dunn-Edwards Whisper.
4. The wood paneled walls, {which appear to be the same white as the cabinets) very apropos for this homes era, architecture, and surroundings. I'm very familiar with this neighborhood, as I grew up and have lived my whole life just a few miles up the coast.
5. The tasteful, but not over done accessories. The art, the fruit and plants on the counter, the runner, the blind etc....and even if it's staged, and the owners don't drink espresso, one must admit, that machine does look at home there! Even though this home is walking distance to the beach, the decorating is not contrived to look too Nantucket or Cape Cod.
6. The fact that they did not blow out the walls from the original galley kitchen to make it an "open concept" HGTV flipper!
7. Overall, it appears that the quality and workmanship are top notch, and this always shines through on the whole regardless of the style.

Looking back at picture #3, I think that the hardware on the drawers is too wimpy - and I am not a fan of knobs really. The light colored floor is okay, but I do much prefer the darker. Lastly, the window needs something to set it off from the white surroundings I think; if they don't want a covering, perhaps this is a situation where painting the trim black would work.

I believe the reason you are drawn to the first kitchen, AMS, is because it strongly follows several elements and principles of artistic design. These elements and principles have been noted, studied, and used for centuries. Our eyes find them inherently appealing, artists know this and exploit to create arresting art.

Notice especially how this kitchen uses perspective. Note how similar it is to the perspective of the first drawing below. The other photos do not have pleasing use of perspective. Just like the second drawing below.

Note in the first kitchen how the black granite on each side of the kitchen creates strong lines pointing toward the focal point of the end wall. There are at least 7 lines (formed by the edges of counters, cabinets, etc.) in that room all pointing to the framed pictures on the end wall. And this is emphasized by the high contrast of black against white.

This kitchen artfully employs artistic elements and principles of line, direction, balance, repetition, unity - all these artistic considerations are present in the first photo. Here's a link that explains: https://www.johnlovett.com/design-overview Also do a google image search on "perspective" and notice right away the impact a whole collection of perspective drawings has on you. It's the psychological effects of these elements that are pleasing you, in my opinion.