Forget Everything You Think You Know About White Kitchens – This Remodel Is a Lesson in Making This Cool Neutral Feel Cozy and Characterful
It's a lesson in how to get a white kitchen right
If there's one color that's been on the outs in recent years, it's white. But while some designers are avoiding it in kitchens, there's no denying that this classic neutral still has its place in some of the chicest designs.
And this redesign makes a strong case for the enduring appeal of white kitchens. Paired with warm wood tones, vintage details, and a blend of luxurious materials, the space feels the perfect balance of old and new.
Clean lines and luxurious materials help to ensure this kitchen stands the test of time, from the marble countertops to the wooden island with turned leg details.
While the home may have been a new construction, the kitchen was the source of issues that made it feel less than fit for purpose. Various plans from different architects had confused the design, and the result was a kitchen that simply felt out of place with the rest of the home.
'The previous plans had issues with a lack of flow between rooms, a kitchen that felt too removed from the rest of the home, as well as a poor layout that created some areas for storage, but they just weren’t working hard enough,' says designer Lauren Tolles, founder of the Michigan-based bespoke cabinetry firm Maison Birmingham.
Instead, the clients wanted the new kitchen to feel more in keeping with the rest of the home, taking inspiration from classic architecture and blending it with modern sensibility. The home was new, but they did not want the interiors to feel like it. And that's exactly the sense Lauren created with the new kitchen.
The wood island anchors the room beautifully, infusing a warmer finish to contrast with the white. The surrounding decor complements it perfectly.
'Consistent with the rest of the home, the kitchen is not tied to one strict era. It is inspired by a blend of Classic European utility spaces, such as pantries or sculleries found in old estates, as well as modern family living that accommodates large gatherings, casual entertaining, and lingering in the space long after the food has gone cold,' she explains.
'The final redesign focused on opening up sightlines and the visual connection to the lake, improving circulation, and making the kitchen feel like the heart of the home rather than a back-of-house zone. Our inspiration was largely inspired by the client’s desire for the new home to feel not-so-new, prioritizing collected over constructed. It’s not chasing trends. It’s chasing longevity.'
The white kitchen debate has been ongoing this year, with some people considering it a classic and others regarding it as out of style. But this design really makes a case for white's place in kitchen designs of every style. 'Given the home’s architectural classical characteristics, white became a very fitting choice with its timeless nature, but we had to select the right white,' Lauren recalls.
The hardware and plumbing fixtures throughout the kitchen are sourced from Waterworks. The brass details complement the range and further enforce that sense of tradition amongst the new.
'It’s not a cool or cold white, it’s a soft, warm white that feels human. The white in the space (BM White Dove) lets the light do the decorating and allows the lake to be the primary focus. White also helps highlight subtle shadow lines and millwork, and creates a neutral backdrop for statement art, styling, and other accents in the space. The kitchen feels larger, brighter, and more serene while staying true to the home’s architectural bones.'
Paired with the warm wooden kitchen island, the space feels fresh and bright. There's clearly an intention behind every design decision made here, from the shade of white to how it reacts with the other finishes and materials in the kitchen. 'The palette is intentionally quiet with soft whites creating light and space, while the natural white oak adds warmth and approachability,' she explains.
'The honed Calacatta Macchia Vecchia marble countertops add an elegance to the space without being flashy or distracting. We chose more subtle slabs, so it appears soft, with less drama and contrast. The mix of unlacquered brass and antiqued bronze adds just enough glow and contrast,' she continues.
The Ilve Majestic II 48-inch Dual Fuel Range in Antique White and Brass adds a traditional detail that adds to the timeless appeal of the kitchen.
'The impact of this palette is a space that feels calm, breathable, and grounded. While the bronze elements create moments of contrast, nothing is glaring. Since everything is cohesive, your eye can rest easily, which is why the space feels so peaceful. This is a design that supports how you want to feel, not just how it looks.'
Kitchen lighting plays a huge role in the design, both functionally and aesthetically. It was all about layering, both the light and the vintage style of the fixtures. It was another detail in the space that needed to blend new with old, aged with luxurious.
'We worked closely with Nate Berkus Associates in Chicago to bring our shared vision to life. The lighting they selected adds an older, vintage touch while bringing texture, contrast, and even a little quirkiness to the space to create interest,' she explains.
'The styling in the space is intentionally restrained but soulful. Elements such as handmade ceramics, natural greenery, vintage accessories, and warm wood tones all work together to add a story and personality unique to the homeowners. This prevents the space from feeling sterile, but rather it feels lived-in from day one. The decorative details aren’t just inserted to fill the space; they’re the emotional layer of the room.'
The round wooden table paired with the decorative chairs adds warmth to the far end of the kitchen and draws the eye towards the view.
The dining space at the far end is the final touch that really brings in a lived-in feel. Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space is filled with light and benefits from almost undisturbed views of the lake that became such an influence throughout the design.
The round wooden table ties back to the island, while the sculptural chair backs feed into the unique, vintage flair seen in subtle details throughout the design. It's another element that signals this kitchen is a place to spend time and gather. And it's filled with details that nod to that blend of old and new, combined with European style, as Lauren captures perfectly.
'The style of the kitchen can best be described as warm transitional with European soul. It sits beautifully between traditional and contemporary styles. The traditional elements include paneled cabinetry, unlacquered brass, plaster, and marble, while the clean lines, intentional negative space, and refined palette nod to the contemporary foundation of the space. This is a kitchen that will still feel relevant in 20 years.'
Shop the Look
Pedestals are a chic way to add warmth to a white kitchen while giving essentials a place to live. This round wooden example is reminiscent of those in the finished design.
If you love the bar stools in this kitchen, look no further. It's the Vail Stool from Denver Modern in brown leather upholstery and a matte black frame. It has a beautiful vintage feel to it.
You'll notice lots of woven accessories in this kitchen, all of which add warmth and texture. These charming hand-woven bowls are a similar design, adding rustic charm to white schemes.
Brass exists in this kitchen beyond the hardware. The island has been styled with a vintage brass candlesticks, and this design from Anthropologie is a great way to get the look.
It's never easy to find exact matches for vintage kitchen lighting, but this French Mid-century modern wall fixture is a close match, featuring the same swing arm feature and aged finish.
If you love the chairs in this design, these 1960s ladderback chairs, which come as a set of 4, have the same feel. This set is a bit darker in color, but has the same unique back details.
While a stark, all-white kitchen feels dated and uninspiring, this kitchen proves that this seemingly misunderstood hue can be warm and inviting with the right choices. It's about how you pair white – the wood, brass, and natural materials woven into this design add warmth and contrast, two ingredients that are key to a welcoming, lived-in cooking space.
