9. Checkmate
In Los Gatos, California, Bynn Esmond Designs went sleek white-on-white for this modern-style kitchen, which has Leicht Haus European-style perimeter cabinets, white porcelain slab countertops and wall cladding, white walls and ceiling (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) and white counter stools reminiscent of chess pieces. A dramatic dark wenge wood waterfall island countertop pops against the backdrop and turns the island into functional sculpture.
8. Milk and Cookies
Ksusha Olson of Titus Contracting painted this Minnesota kitchen’s cabinets in Benjamin Moore Pale Oak. The color is a soft, light greige that’s just different enough from the Chantilly Lace walls and millwork to add depth while still keeping the room’s overall look light and bright. Light wood floors and a dark-stained white oak island with wraparound seating add more dramatic contrast and echo the golden tones of the hardware. Calacatta Laza quartz countertops, which have soft brown veining on a milky white background, tie together the various neutral tones.
7. Texture and Patina
This Washington, D.C.-area kitchen by Case Architects & Remodelers has hand-cut zellige-style backsplash tiles that extend all the way to the ceiling to give the room an upscale, earthy look. The tiles’ variegated tones coordinate with the marble-look Corian countertops and soft gray cabinets, while red oak shelves, woven seating, reddish wood floors and golden pendant lights warm up the cooler gray and white tones.
6. Mix and Match
A playful collection of pendant lights in vanilla, toast and chocolate (all from the Folk Abigail collection by Rejuvenation) illuminates a 16-foot-long island with a Cambria Brittanicca Warm quartz countertop in this Aspen, Colorado, kitchen by Miranda Cullen of Inside Stories. The two-tone cabinets are a combination of pickled white oak and a wire-brushed textured white oak, and the mesmerizing backsplash is Ann Sacks Gem by Kelly Wearstler in the Swell pattern and Azure color.
5. Earthy Elements
Valletta Design Group stuck to a warm, mostly beige and honey color palette in this Carlsbad, California, kitchen, adding personality with natural textures, touches of black and materials with movement. Look closely and you’ll see varied tones in the tile backsplash, knots in the wood floor, swirly veins in the countertops, vertical paneling on the island base, handmade-looking lighting and hardware with lots of patina.
4. Soft and Serene
Large-scale domed pendant lights echo the shape of a domed pantry entryway in this lovely blue-gray, cream and wood-toned Studio M Interiors-designed kitchen in Minneapolis. The arch is trimmed in a light wood that coordinates with the hood’s vertical panels as well as the island base, the latter of which is topped by a creamy white counter with golden veining.
3. Standout Stone
The dramatic Blue Marine quartzite waterfall island countertop is the star attraction in this Denver kitchen by Robin Bryant of Factor Design Build, whom the homeowners found on Houzz. But don’t overlook other noteworthy elements, such as the midcentury-style chandelier, the secondary backsplash made of vertical ribbed glass tiles, and the glass-front cabinets breaking up the wall of slim Shaker white oak cabinets on the left.
2. Hot Seats
Tina Ramchandani Creative installed hardware-free, slim Shaker-style cabinets in this New York kitchen, pairing the light wood with a marbled waterfall-edge island countertop and a backsplash made of oversize marble subway tile. The rich paprika-colored leather counter stools add unexpected spiciness to the pale palette.
1. Clean and Crisp
This Dallas-area kitchen by Spruill Custom Homes has a transitional style and classic color scheme that are both timeless and on-trend. The main elements are a marble-look return backsplash, a mix of warm white and wood Shaker-style cabinetry, and black accents. The uppermost row of glass-front cabinets, the band of wood across the hood and the comfy-looking counter stools are thoughtful details that help this kitchen stand out from the pack.
A look at this countdown of the most-saved kitchen photos on Houzz this year makes one thing abundantly clear: Pairing wood and white elements in a kitchen is a winning combination. But upon further study you’ll also notice that homeowners and design and remodeling pros enhance the popular palette with creative details like statement-making countertops, backsplashes, lighting and accent colors. (cited)
10. Island Time
Robin McCarthy of Arch Studio designed this large San Jose, California, kitchen with an equally generous island as its centerpiece. The kitchen’s rift-sawn white oak island base and matching white oak open shelves add warmth and contrast to the Shaker-style perimeter cabinets, which are painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore. Calacatta Storm quartzite countertops, a custom black metal range hood handcrafted by Raw Urth Designs and 5-by-5-inch zellige-style tiles contribute rugged elegance.