Rich Color Adds Depth to a Modern White Kitchen
Aubergine cabinetry and walnut shelves give this pale, pared-down kitchen a shot of warmth and drama
The owners of this 1970s London home transformed their property with an impeccable design eye and cool 1980s finds — and that includes their slick and streamlined new kitchen. “It’s quite an unusual house, but they’ve made it beautiful,” says Helen Munro of Finch London, who was brought on board to redo the kitchen. “The couple were pretty clear about what they wanted from their kitchen, and that was clean lines and superb functionality.”
To keep things simple, the flat-fronted, matte-lacquered MDF doors are handle-free, enhancing the pared-down look.
“The owners wanted handleless units; it’s the most popular choice for our clients at the moment,” Munro says. “The white doors have been color-matched to the Glacier White Corian worktop, but open up to reveal an aubergine MFC [melamine-faced chipboard] interior that echoes the wall of darker units.”
Table: Ikea; Eames DSR plastic side chairs: Vitra; Cayos vertical radiator: Milano
“The owners wanted handleless units; it’s the most popular choice for our clients at the moment,” Munro says. “The white doors have been color-matched to the Glacier White Corian worktop, but open up to reveal an aubergine MFC [melamine-faced chipboard] interior that echoes the wall of darker units.”
Table: Ikea; Eames DSR plastic side chairs: Vitra; Cayos vertical radiator: Milano
The tall, purple cabinets are a striking punctuation to the otherwise all-white room.
“The clients didn’t like the popular choice of gray, but wanted to introduce another color to the scheme,” Munro says. “I love the contrast of materials with bold flashes of color — the commitment of an all-white kitchen on one side and then the more sumptuous mix of aubergine and walnut on the other.”
Cabinet paint: Pelt, Farrow & Ball; oven: Siemens
“The clients didn’t like the popular choice of gray, but wanted to introduce another color to the scheme,” Munro says. “I love the contrast of materials with bold flashes of color — the commitment of an all-white kitchen on one side and then the more sumptuous mix of aubergine and walnut on the other.”
Cabinet paint: Pelt, Farrow & Ball; oven: Siemens
The wall of cabinetry is a multitasking wonder. It has a mix of open and closed storage, including a pantry cabinet with drawers and spice rack; an oven with shelving above and below; a built-in refrigerator; and a second pantry-broom closet at the end.
American black walnut lines the open shelving at one end and adds a feeling of quality to the kitchen.
“The shelving holds a collection of the clients’ bits and bobs,” Munro says. “They like to display a few things rather than have everything hidden away.”
“The shelving holds a collection of the clients’ bits and bobs,” Munro says. “They like to display a few things rather than have everything hidden away.”
The crisp silhouette of the all-white zone is enhanced by the shark-nose edging of the counters and the matching backsplash.
The vent hood, a custom piece, is also made of Corian, Munro says. A neat induction cooktop adds to the uninterrupted lines.
“I suggested Siemens appliances as I like their look and functionality,” the designer says.
Cooktop: Siemens; vent hood: Elica
The vent hood, a custom piece, is also made of Corian, Munro says. A neat induction cooktop adds to the uninterrupted lines.
“I suggested Siemens appliances as I like their look and functionality,” the designer says.
Cooktop: Siemens; vent hood: Elica
A seamless flow of 20-millimeter-thick Corian with molded sink and drainboard, plus a full-height backsplash, creates a chic and practical wet zone.
A matching white faucet with pullout sprayer adds to the functionality.
Linus-S tap: Blanco
A matching white faucet with pullout sprayer adds to the functionality.
Linus-S tap: Blanco
The shark-nose detail on the counters has a 45-degree bevel edging. “It gives the illusion of a thin [countertop] and it feels nice to handle too,” Munro says.
The designer came across a few challenges during the project. “The patio doors arrived in different finishes and needed a lot of work on site,” she says.
Matching the new solid maple kitchen floor to the existing one in the living room was also tricky, but the end result is an effortless flow that’s easy on the eye.
Maple flooring: The Natural Wood Floor Co.
Matching the new solid maple kitchen floor to the existing one in the living room was also tricky, but the end result is an effortless flow that’s easy on the eye.
Maple flooring: The Natural Wood Floor Co.
The pendant light in lacquered aluminum with matching colored cords is another great contrast to the white backdrop.
“The clients opted for a cluster of pendants rather than spots, as the room gets a lot of light from the back doors anyway,” Munro says. “We also used strip lights under the wall cabinets.”
Silo pendant light by Note Design Studio: Zero Lighting
“The clients opted for a cluster of pendants rather than spots, as the room gets a lot of light from the back doors anyway,” Munro says. “We also used strip lights under the wall cabinets.”
Silo pendant light by Note Design Studio: Zero Lighting
A smattering of primary hues on the small appliances ensures the white side of the kitchen doesn’t lack character.
“The clients have very good taste and choose lovely things for their home,” Munro says. “They collect pieces from the 1980s, as well as Danish designs and new items.”
“The clients have very good taste and choose lovely things for their home,” Munro says. “They collect pieces from the 1980s, as well as Danish designs and new items.”
The pale maple staircase ties in with the wood tones on the ground floor. “The staircase was much more closed off before we opened it up to create more space and light,” the designer says.
Munro also helped design a small room, or reading nook, next to the kitchen. She used matte-lacquered shelving and base cabinets topped with Carrara marble.
It’s an eclectic space filled with rows of books, a wall of artwork and a leopard-print armchair.
“I suggested yellow in here because they have a yellow feature wall at the top of the stairs, plus a few pieces of furniture and appliances in yellow too,” Munro says.
Yellow paint: Dulux
It’s an eclectic space filled with rows of books, a wall of artwork and a leopard-print armchair.
“I suggested yellow in here because they have a yellow feature wall at the top of the stairs, plus a few pieces of furniture and appliances in yellow too,” Munro says.
Yellow paint: Dulux
The yellow feature wall at the top of the stairs links the kitchen to the rest of the home.
Browse more photos of contemporary kitchens
Browse more photos of contemporary kitchens
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their cat, Babs
Location: Islington area of London
Size: The kitchen-dining area is 11½ by 12 feet (3.5 by 3.7 meters)
Designer: Helen Munro of Finch London
This cool and contemporary kitchen is a far cry from what was there originally. The previous space consisted of a mishmash of glossy white cabinets, blue and faux stone tiles and an old built-in cupboard.
The owners knew it was time for a change and called on Munro to create a hybrid of modern white lines next to a darker living space. Banks of pure white on one side are offset by a cozy dark purple wall and shelving unit on the other.
“Only minor changes were required structurally,” Munro says, “such as opening up a doorway, laying new flooring, reworking the staircase and fitting new French windows to the outside.”