White Kitchens – A Philosophy

By Susan Serra, Decorati Contributing Guest Blogger and author of The Kitchen Designer blog.

White Kitchens – who among us doesn’t love a white kitchen? White interiors are in our consciousness again. White kitchens are rapidly becoming even more popular than ever. There is seemingly no end to the love of the white kitchen!

White kitchens present us with a myriad of experiences: a feeling of lightness, classic origins, modernity, spaciousness. In a previous post by Decorati guest blogger James Duncan, Duncan states: “In the Western world white is the symbol of purity: the holiness of the angels, the virginity of a bride, the cleanliness of a doctor.” This last description goes to the heart of white kitchen design – we experience a fresh feeling of cleanliness, purity, a soft sterility as a pleasing foundation for the preparation of food.

Of course, white is also a wonderful, quiet, backdrop for color and texture, enhancing any color or natural material. Dark wood beams against stark white architecture support both elements equally. Colorful accents pop against white. Quiet pastels mixed with white feel classic and elegant. In American kitchen design, white kitchens are moving toward even whiter tones (it’s true) and may be more recently seen with open shelving. White shelving features decorative and useful objects, which pop against the white wood. Designing architectural elements in white such as millwork, walls, door and window casings together with cabinetry, also more recently seen, creates a look that flows, a design concept which showcases an interesting, yet subtle, juxtaposition.

In Scandinavia, white kitchens are a staple. The short daylight hours for months at a time is the natural impetus for many to live with as much reflected interior light as possible. It is a strong urge, nearly a primal need. Candles are everywhere in winter months, as light and lightness in any form is desired. Color is welcome. Charm, sometimes mixed with modern design strength, enfolds the Scandinavian desire for hygge, or coziness, as a loose translation. I will be talking more about Scandinavian kitchen design on Decorati in future postings.Here, a brief study of four white kitchens. What’s your favorite?

Below, our first Scandinavian kitchen, from Vakre Hjem & Interior, is an absolutely stunning vignette of textures and classic elements. Country beadboard, a formal dining table, casual chairs, the white tones, at once, unify these disparate elements. A single color, a soft peacock blue, is woven into the kitchen, in this case, adding a touch of freshness.

Below, this simple white kitchen that I designed works well with a fresh yellow color and dramatic black accents. A very dark or bold color element, used rhythmically in the kitchen, creates balance and interest. Contrast in tone and color is the underpinning of this otherwise simple kitchen. In this kitchen, black was planned, early on, to be featured in the layer of accessories, an effort to visually work with the lone, tall, black cabinet.

Below, another kitchen I designed is a quiet celebration of texture. The white tone of the cabinetry enhances the mahogany wood countertops and blue crackled handmade tiles. The design has a “visual logic” which pulls the architecture of the white cabinetry together into a “whole.” The range wall reads as one. The textures do the talking. White features include classic paneled doors, shiplap board as a small nod to a nautical feeling and white marble. A personal, and interesting, mix.

Below, back to Scandinavian kitchens. The use of white seems to be in Scandinavians’ design DNA. In this kitchen, white envelopes the kitchen proper. Note the white floors. While they may not be typical, painted white wood floors are not uncommon. A minimalist space, until the eye is forced to the jumble of texture that defines the major kitchen elements and all its accessories. Minimalism, contrast, and human energy to extreme. Via Rum.

Environmental concerns are present when specifying white (or any color) painted cabinetry. I am told by numerous industry sources that we are just not there yet in terms of comparative durability between low VOC paint and white paint with solvents for cabinetry. On walls, low VOC paint should be a given. Interesting alternative choices for wall paints are American Clay and O’Leary’s Evoc and Ceramic Coat.

Working with whites also means understanding the nuance of color. Whites, as any color, are best seen in context with other whites, and other colors, to more clearly see the undertones of color therein, a critical piece to selecting one or more whites used together. Is a white kitchen “classic” in the sense that it can “fit” into any interior design? That is an emphatic no! Understanding design context, proportions of color and tone, and balance with surrounding interior spaces will place you on the path toward white enlightenment.