Kelly Rowland has a way of adding 'depth and interest' to her white kitchen – her designer-approved technique works in every home
How do we keep a timeless palette simultaneously interesting? Experts begin with Rowland's mixed material method
When asked to select one timeless kitchen use, designers tend to revert to the same answer: white. The eternal qualities of this versatile tone need no introduction, but in all its beauty, there remains the question of how to keep it interesting. This is where we look to Kelly Rowland for inspiration.
In her Sherman Oaks home, the Destiny's Child singer exhibits a bright white kitchen color palette – comprising matte cabinets, subway tiles (on her backsplash), and a veined marble island – the latter being (arguably) the most striking feature in the space.
Despite being primarily only one color (white), the room doesn't feel clinical, cold, or boring. Instead, Rowland keeps it contemporary with a material method decorating technique that kitchen design expert William Durrant uses in his own projects.
'Stick with varying shades of white for a clean and cohesive look. You can add depth and interest by incorporating different textures and finishes, such as matte, glossy, or textured surfaces,' Durrant comments.
A post shared by Kelly Rowland
A photo posted by kellyrowland on
Mixing materials – whether it's a marble kitchen island with wooden cabinets – or subway tiles with a glossy countertop – is a failsafe way to keep our space interesting. However, there remain yet more designer-approved methods to keep our white kitchens stylish. Next up, Durrant recommends incorporating contrast with bold colors.
'Introduce bold accent colors through elements including cabinetry, kitchen islands, backsplashes, or kitchen accessories. Popular choices include navy blue, black, deep red and purples, or even vibrant hues like a sunny yellow,' he says. In Rowland's case, it comes in the form of the dark, dusty blue paint on the bottom half of the island and the contrastable black cabinet handles. However, her natural wood flooring also hasn't gone unnoticed by Durrant, who says we can use wooden elements to add yet more texture to our white space.
'You can bring warmth and texture to your white kitchen by incorporating natural materials such as wood, stone, or metal. Wooden kitchen islands, exposed ceiling beams, or stone backsplashes can add character and visual interest.'
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
As mentioned, Rowland chose black handles and hardware to complement her primarily white scheme, but Durrant explains that metallic finishes work just as well alongside this color palette.
'Consider adding metallic finishes such as stainless steel, brass, or copper to complement the white palette,' he says. 'These accents can be incorporated through hardware, light fixtures, faucets, or appliances, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication.'
William Durrant has worked in the kitchen industry for almost a decade. After learning from powerful kitchen brands, he had a desire to manage all aspects of the design project, so he founded Herringbone Kitchens. He now owns the UK-based kitchen company, where he manages a talented creative team and creates kitchens while observing international design trends.
Shop the white kitchen edit
Tapping into this timeless palette doesn't need to involve a whole room renovation. We're starting with these picks below.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
Christmas decorating stalled by missing tools and essentials? These 6 festive DIY job must-haves will get your delayed tasks back on track
Get your holiday decorating going again with our Christmas first-aid kit
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
Kourtney Kardashian's 'chic and refined' Christmas tree taps into a trend that celebrities love this 2024 – it's surprisingly easy to replicate from under $12
The socialite's minimalist tree makes a statement with bright lights and considerable height – she's the latest in a host of celebrities who prove 'less is more'
By Hannah Ziegler Published