Three Classic Kitchen Styles

The importance of a well designed kitchen cannot be underestimated. In many ways the epicenter of the house, the room must accommodate not just meal prep but intimate chats over coffee, homework consultations during an after-school snack, and the rigors of formal entertaining. Also, does any other room face the kind of storage challenges we require of our kitchens? Give the space credit: it’s kind of amazing that for the amount of function a kitchen puts forth it can still be a true design triumph.

THE WHITE KITCHEN

Some say the white kitchen is out, but we say it is timeless. For a room that can easily look chaotic, white is an excellent choice. This example from Sutro Architects and the one above, by Butler Armsden, beautifully illustrate this classic style.

White makes clean lines and gleaming fixtures appear even sharper and brighter, and creates a light airiness. Add a stainless steel hood, as in the kitchen on the left by Westbrook Interiors, and some dark wood or marble countertops, like the space on the right by BOWA, and the room will feel warm and comfortable while still maintaining the sense of serenity that white can offer.

Is there anything more luxurious than white marble? Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro proves the answer is no. This kitchen is simply to die for.

As featured in the TSG TIP No.40, this all-white beauty, by Garden Variety Design, is cool, calm, and finished with just the right collected details.

THE RUSTIC KITCHEN

A rustic look can be oh so inviting. Exposed beams, stone, and wood cabinetry make a place feel grounded and lived in. Large, open spaces become cozy kitchens, like the one above designed by Westbrook Interiors, that make you want to sit and sip a cup of tea while enjoying the view. Incorporating modern touches and selecting furnishings and accents in light neutrals will keep the kitchen from feeling dark, masculine, or one-note.

This kitchen begs for one-pot dinners allowing plenty of time for friends to gather around the island catching up on all the latest news. Part French and part cottage, Cory Spencer achives a charming and functional space with the right chic finishes.

Masculine and perfectly tailored to the space, the above kitchen, by Herlong and Associates, showcases why details matter. The woodwork adds interesting architectural dimension to the room creating an intimate, sophisticated, and elegant atmosphere.

Not too dark or too light, this kitchen, by Graham Vannoy, balances the rustic look impeccably. It’s the perfect space for enjoying comforting family-style meals or a cup of coffee while reading the Sunday paper.

THE MODERN KITCHEN

There’s something about a modern kitchen that is wonderfully calming. Chrome, glass, and clean lines converge to create a sense of order and pure function without any fussiness. Elements such as a warm wood island and chairs upholstered in a textured fabric keep a modern space from feeling sterile and sleek, as proven by the above space by Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro.

Bright and light, these kitchens are good examples of how to achieve the minimal modern look without losing personality. The below kitchen, designed by Butler Armsden, is streamlined and cheery. And what isn’t cool and mod about the above space designed by Sutro Architects? From the light fixture to the chairs to the clean lines—it’s modern perfection.