Black And White Kitchens: Designing A Kitchen With impact

(HIT) - Designers report that the monochromatic white-on-white Eurostyle kitchen was a building and remodeling hit in the 1990s. "But the white-on-white look is not for everybody," points out Carolyn Verweyst, manager of Whirlpool Corporation’s Appliance Information Service. She notes, for example, that as we get older and our vision changes, contrasting colors to differentiate major components in a kitchen becomes more and more important.

This Whirlpool kitchen is a good example: It features easy-care, traditional white cabinets that contrast nicely with the black glass of the built-in oven/microwave combination and black acrylic front panels on the dishwasher.

In addition to black built-in appliances, the kitchen features other important design elements for visual contrast between major work center components: Dark countertops, inlaid black stripes that both accent the handsome wood floor and indicate nearness to a cabinet or appliance, metallic trim on the white refrigerator door, and metal cabinet pulls. Design details like this are particularly important in kitchens used by our growing middle-aged and older population.

Verweyst also notes that this kitchen has excellent lighting, an essential design element that’s often overlooked. The large window in the cleanup center not only offers a beautiful view, it lets the sun shine in. And when the sun isn’t shining, the well-planned recessed ceiling light fixtures and handsome wall lights that flank the cleanup center flood the kitchen with a substitute for daylight.

"A black and white kitchen offers infinite opportunities for styling—and restyling," says Verweyst. "It’s wrong to assume that a kitchen designed around neutrals has to be stark or dull. For example, she suggests these styling techniques to avoid dullness: Use some glass-front cabinets to display colorful, cherished antiques. Give often-used accessories counter space.

Display favorite prints on a wall. Strategically position green plants atop upper cabinets, beneath spotlighting. Add a homespun rug for a warmer look to the floor. Verweyst points out that a variety of design elements and accessories can be used to add color, warmth and a very personal touch to an otherwise bland, neutral kitchen designed primarily for user convenience and efficiency.

"While this kitchen features high style, modern appliances and multiple conveniences, its planned contrasting colors and high levels of lighting offer additional advantages to users with limited eyesight, low vision or aging eyes," Verweyst concludes. Want a white kitchen that stands out from the crowd? "Go white with multiple black components and touches of color to provide both needed contrast for easy use and styling that’s definitely not routine white," suggests home economists from Whirlpool Corporation.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center