How Cardi B’s Black-and-White Kitchen Uses Graphic Veining, Dramatic Contrast, and High-Impact Materials to Modernize a Timeless Design

The kitchen blends daring patterns, sophisticated materials, and seasonal warmth, proving how classic design can feel fresh and energetic

Cardi B
(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)

The combination of black and white has long been a quintessential and dramatically effective color scheme for any kitchen. These contrasting shades naturally enhance one another, making each tone more striking while infusing the space with sophisticated, eye-catching energy.

However, while the black-and-white kitchen is always a timeless classic, Cardi B's black and white color scheme twist offers a fresh, innovative take on the trend.

The rapper recently showcased the sheer scale of her kitchen island – large enough to double as a runway – on X. Yet beyond the impressive size, it was Cardi B’s distinctive approach to this classic palette that truly captivated viewers.

The Modern Black and White Kitchen Edit

Black paint or marble, once a controversial choice, has become an increasingly popular shade for cooking spaces, making black and white kitchens more desirable than ever. Mor Krisher, Head of Design at Caesarstone, the industry leader in premium surfaces, explains this shift: 'Gone are the days of uniform, clinical white kitchens. Dramatic and dark-hued designs have risen in popularity. Whilst this might seem like an intimidating choice, there are many ways to create a balanced kitchen scheme.'

If you're considering embracing this scheme for a cozy late-year update, Cardi B's design offers a perfect, straightforward blueprint.

One of the easiest ways to introduce black into your home is through kitchen countertops. By selecting a visually interesting black and white marble, granite, or other stone – especially one with a unique pattern like the rapper's chevron – you can instantly inject whimsy and high drama into this classic color pairing. Extending the stone up the backsplash adds significant dimension and character, essential for creating an inviting atmosphere as the days grow shorter.

To effectively replicate this luxurious, grounded aesthetic, Krisher offers specific recommendations: 'I’m a big fan of dark worktops paired with natural woods like oak or walnut, and metallic accents like brass, copper, or steel taps and handles. Pairing a dark surface with wooden cabinetry and pale flooring will help to keep your space feeling open and neutral. This is especially beneficial if you want to create a cosy atmosphere, but your kitchen isn’t vast in size.'

As with all great design, the success of the black and white kitchen is ultimately in the power of the contrast.

Cardi B's kitchen is a prime example of how to use a black-and-white color scheme to create a bold, beautiful, and seasonally appropriate design. Would you incorporate a dramatic stone with a unique pattern into your own kitchen?


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.

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