How Gisele Bündchen’s High-Contrast Kitchen Island Transforms Ordinary Materials into a Dramatic Statement of Sophisticated Design

If natural wood cabinets are a well-known style icon, then a natural wood island is their less-recognized counterpart. It's a fantastic way to highlight the elegance of natural wood, with the added bonus of putting you in closer contact with the countertop. In Gisele Bündchen's home, this often-overlooked feature gets its chance to shine.

The model's kitchen is a peaceful haven of dark natural wood with crisp white accents. Contemporary pendant lights (similar to these from Wayfair) hang over the center of the room, brightly illuminating the glossy white marble countertops. Stainless steel hardware echoes the modern feel of the space. On the kitchen island, dark matte wood offers a stunning contrast with the white counter.

Bündchen's kitchen island idea elevates the feature beyond its expected function, largely thanks to its superb color palette. The deep, dark wood against the bright white countertop provides a high contrast that immediately draws the eye. 'I love the pairing of a dark cabinet color with a much lighter countertop color,' says Jennifer Ebert, color expert and digital editor at Homes & Gardens.

'The mix is at once intriguing and classic. This high-contrast look will be sure to become a huge interior design trend over the next several years as we lean into the use of more natural materials,' she continues.

Shop the Gisele-inspired kitchen edit

Before committing to full natural wood kitchen cabinets, consider sampling the aesthetic with a few carefully chosen wooden countertop accents. A beautiful dark wooden bowl, like the one below, provides the benefits of this material without the long-term commitment.

You can also buy into Gisele's look with some intricate china, similar to the bowls she uses to store ingredients while cooking.

Beyond the colors, the difference in materials itself creates compelling visual interest. 'There’s a noticeable trend in interiors right now towards more natural materials and earth-centered tones,' says Greg Roth, California-based interior designer and architect. As the autumn season encourages a deeper connection to nature, this trend feels particularly timely.

He continues, 'As the delicately intertwined relationship that humans have with nature makes itself increasingly obvious to us, our urge to strengthen our bond to Mother Earth – to assume responsibility for her care and stewardship – become heightened.' We see this mirrored in Bündchen's kitchen with the grounding presence of both natural wood and gray marble.

The interplay of natural textures and earthly colors in this kitchen calls to mind the comforting warmth of a sun-heated landscape, making for an interior that not only invites us in, but that grounds us in the generosity of Mother Nature’s resources,' Greg adds.

This is especially welcome as we seek cozy indoor retreats during the cooling temperatures of fall and winter. As these materials continue to gain popularity, islands like Bündchen's are poised to become a huge kitchen island trend. Will you be following suit?