You might be doubtful about using such a dark colour at home, especially in a kitchen, but it can be bright, beautiful and super chic, here’s eight inspirational ways to go to the dark side in style.
1 Contain the black to a single island unit. In this way it’s more like a beautiful piece of sculpture than furniture. Complete the effect with a matt finish and handleless doors. Companies like Dada and Poliform Varenna have models that are very similar to this bespoke design.
2 Alternatively, make your storage units the big black statement. This homeowner balances the visual impact of his units with a white island unit, and a combination of white and black walls. This works well in his bright, top-lit space, where all black might have been too heavy.
3 Combine storage and island in noir. Of course if you choose a unit that’s super slick and streamlined like this ‘Pure’ kitchen from Siematic, then you could do a double act of black, combining island unit and storage units. The white surrounds and oak parquet floor keep the balance. And a mirrored splashback is the ultimate in indulgence.
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4 Another option is to pair a storage unit finished in black frosted glass with an island in stainless steel, which echoes the stainless steel ovens proudly on show in this ‘Twelve’ kitchen from Varenna by Poliform, designed by Italian architect Carlo Colombo.
5 Divide dark units into a horizontal band of wall-mounted cabinets with a matching band of under-counter cupboards is another way to keep a black kitchen compact, yet just as striking. It’s also a very effective way to conceal all appliances — dishwasher, fridge, freezer — just choose machines that are designed to be integrated, and have doors made to fit. This cabinetry was bespoke designed by TFAD Architects.
6 In this glamorous kitchen, black is used as a foil to a slick contemporary scheme. The professional-looking stainless-steel units are warmed by the wood furniture and floor, and the dark walls acts as the perfect backdrop. Lights by Tom Dixon are an exemplary final finishing touch.
7 And remember, black doesn’t always have to be pure black, Here a very simple stainless steel kitchen takes on a whole new level of drama thanks to being surrounded by a greeny-black paint from the Swedish brand Flügger. As the homeowner puts it, ‘The colour is almost black, rather than true black. It’s much softer and warmer, an all-black space would have been too much.’ Additionally, she kept the walls matt and added coats of lacquer to the ceiling to achieve the high gloss.
8 Hand-painted custom-cabinetry by the Swedish brand Kvänum has been finished in a rich greeny-black rather than pure black. ‘Obsidian Green’ from Little Greene is a good match. And the finishing touch? The green tones are picked up in the colour choice of the stone used for the splashback. This keeps everything coherent and superbly complementary. As does matching the furniture to the pale wood floor; and framing the whole in white.
