The modern kitchen is not so easy to define these days. I can think of a variety of kitchen themes which could have the word or concept "modern" attached to it: the new traditional, modern/rustic, eco-modern, vintage modern, minimalism, even mainstream modern.
Modern cannot be pigeon-holed into one particular aesthetic. Not like it used to be. Not now.
It used to be, back in the day, oh, even 10 years ago, probably even 5 years ago, that kitchens were either, well, traditional, transitional, or modern. And modern meant sleek and usually cold to most people (except to those who liked that look). The modern kitchen design aesthetic was dominated by the Italian and German cabinet companies! Whatever the catalogs showed, the consumer would fall in line and follow...for the most part.
Today, it's "make your own modern" which I think is an incredibly creative and freeing time to be working as a designer and, I'll bet, to be thinking about planning your kitchen as a homeowner. Finally, my clients have courage! It's the best time ever for me, and for them. Why? Because of internet "homes" such as my own blog, The Kitchn, Apartment Therapy, and others who showed that anything goes. It's all about you.
What is modern to you? Whatever it is, that's the definition! That's one very significant way how and why modern kitchen design has become redefined.
Express yourself and define your own modern philosophy. Color is one of the most perfect ways to do that.
In my experience, people have emotional reactions to color; they feel it, they move toward or away from it. They want it all enveloping or as an easy-to-live with supplement to the design. Most of all, today, it's a tool, an amusing element with which to experiment, whether it's an experiment in nuanced subtleties or the mixture of hues and shades, tints and tones. I would always advise consulting with a knowledgeable professional on the use of color in terms of balance and proportion. In addition, study up on the color wheel and color theory so you have a few tools to start your color journey with.
From my observations, I'm seeing color in two ways.
• First, I'm seeing it used in a bold way, not overall, but in well planned blocks of significant volume to obviously make a statement.
• Secondly, I'm seeing color used as well planned accents. I'm also seeing restraint, meaning, the use of color in a way that makes sense to the space so that the colors chosen, even in small areas, make a simple statement, often to support the bigger design elements.
As always, choose your colors carefully and choose the color concept carefully. Appliances with color are a huge story in today's kitchen design. As I stated previously, a colored appliance can be great as a singular or mixed color statement, but consider the volume/size of, say, the refrigerator, if you are so inclined to live with several colored appliances. It's biiiiiig!
What I'm also seeing today is color mixed with a sort of eco theme. In fact, I think it's the freshest way that we are seeing color. Natural woods and strong colors are a wonderful juxtaposition. It's similar to mixing cool and warm shades...it's a contrast in an entire style philosophy (eco vs. modern) and certainly texture (smooth color vs. wood grain.) That is what is new. It's a "new authenticity" in modern kitchen design.
I would love to know how you define modern.
Thank you for sharing, Susan! We are looking forward to the rest of your posts on color in The Kitchn this week.
More posts on color from Susan Serra:
• White Kitchens: The Absence of Color
• Color in the Kitchen...On the Cheap
• A Pinch of Sugar Color
The Kitchen Designer
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Comments (15)
I know this isn't the appropriate place but I'm not sure how else to give feedback. The new ad's growing and shrinking is highly intrusive to my enjoyment of this site and currently makes me much less inclined to visit.
That said, thank you for another beautiful article. I just moved and while I have to deal with all the rental can't-paint-anything issues, I will definitely be using this kitchens for inspiration.
percent, for you, it's all about the accessories, which also includes dishes and glasses, which are so often forgotten as a potentially huge color accessory...among lots of other things mentioned over this week. Thanks very much for your comment.
Susan, I've enjoyed all of your posts on kitchen design and color this week. I'm putting the finishing touches on my kitchen this week. I think I've made the right decisions and AT has been a huge resource and inspiration. I'll be checking out your blog too!
dmstudio, well, I'd certainly like to see your kitchen. If you're so inclined, go to my profile and please email me pictures. I really think there's no other place like the kitchn. Between food, products and kitchens, it's an all around first rate resource.
Great examples of "modern" kitchens. I LOVE the green counter material!! Is that Cesar Stone? I just saw something very much like it on display in a kitchen showroom. Really beautiful!
I too have been enjoying your posts.
I like your "modern is what you make it" angle here. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from folks on this site that have been inspired by the things that they have seen to come up with their own interpretation of what a great modern kitchen is. I see people pouring their own concrete countertops to use with Ikea cabinets, or renters painting their cabinets a modern color or taking doors off to create a more open look adorned with a modern still-life look.
I think there is so much out there in terms of information and resources now that it is an exciting time for modern ideas!
Hi Leona! Yes, that is Caesarstone. It's had such a surge in popularity in very recent years. It's so versatile, great stuff!
art, thank you, appreciate that. It's true...most anything goes, and like you, I think it's a very inspiring time to be expressing oneself in one's home. So many resources too!
the kitchen is unfortunately dominated by pre-conceived notions. every 2009 kitchen "needs" stainless appliances and a granite counter top. Also, there are rather specific expectations on flooring (hardwood, specific tile types) and types of stoves (usually professional, even if the family never cooks!)
The family should define their own space, and have their personalities and lifestyles influence the room...
that being said, I must confess that I cringe at the idea of a brightly colored appliance... probably becuase I've been fighting off those dreaded 70's appliance colors in every kitchen I've had!
Modern on long island, I agree with you whole heartedly. The pre-conceived notion of every kitchen "needing" stainless steel appliances and granite countertops is why I've turned to AT for ideas and inspiration in the first place. I'll admit I watch a lot of design related TV like HGTV and my big pet peeve is that they seem to push that every kitchen NEEDS granite and stainless steel. You could turn it into a drinking game by taking a drink every time either is mentioned but you'd never make it through an entire program! I find much less of that false pushing of false ideals here on AT. Sure it would be nice if I could afford both the high end appliances and granite counters but it seems most people stop there and the spaces seem to lake substance and personality. Give me a kitchen with more character, quirks and personality any day but for me at least granite and stainless steel are optional.
Great points. I've never ever been a fan of pro appliances in general. I feel it "takes away" the soul of the kitchen and puts the focus directly on to the appliances. When I walk into a kitchen, I want to experience the kitchen as a whole, not hone in on the appliances. I think kitchens would be well served to blend in more with the surrounding spaces. Bigger is not always better. Now THAT is a personal preference, and not what is happening in the kitchens I'm designing for my clients. With powerful induction cooktops now, however, it's debatable where there is more power...in btus or in the powerful induction cooktop. So, who needs the pro appliances?
I also think for those kitchens on hgtv which are not well designed and are basic runs of cabinets, yes, the stainless steel adds a needed boost for resale. If a kitchen is well designed, you do not need that boost. I think that's part of the issue as to why they sell so well. We need better designed kitchens!
I have to say I love this post because it shows so many different styles right next to each other to compare and contrast. I just bought my first home and I'm trying to think of what to do with it. I has beautiful built-ins and professional appliances (including a broken viking range) so I love seeing these ideas of how to add feeling to a stark white kitchen. I would love to see more posts of taking one element in a kitchen and different ways it is interpreted, instead of the kitchen as a whole.
Thanks Susan for another great article with inspiring photos! What I am having trouble with though is noone ever talks about the floor or flooring in kitchen design (it seems). We have colour on the floor in the way of natuaral stone and so our kitchen design is a little flawed because it doesn't 'go' with it. Eek. But anyway, have you written anything about kitchen flooring colours / materials as part of overal kitchen design? :-) I'd love to read that!
I am embarrassed to say no I haven't! But, it will absolutely be one of my next posts. I've certainly been dealing with my clients floors for years, however. Can you tie in the flooring color at all? You may be more sensitive to it than others are, I'll bet that's the case.
to me, a modern kitchen is a 100% functional, well designed one (easy to work in, easy to clean up) that GETS USED! If it doesn't get cooked in, it's not a kitchen...just another room decorated with very expensive stuff.
dmstudio: LOL! A drinking game, yes, and I'm not sure what would make me barf faster, the drinking or the fact that they insist on putting fugly granite in every reno'd kitchen.
I'm not sure what is more annoying...that, or the real estate delusion that granite is ALL THAT.
"who needs pro appliances?"
no one, especially since many brands of plain old residential appliances seem to have gotten to be just as good, function-wise. I always tell the story of my MIL, who bought new appliances about the time I was spec'ing mine for my new kitchen. She got a relatively low-end old skool brand range that I cooked on for a few months while we were staying with her. Very little if any difference in performance between that and my pro-style that was 10x more $$. But we like the look, eh? And really it's no different than a piece of designer furniture or whatever other things we decide we must have for our homes.
I cook/bake things in quantity on full size sheet pans on at least a weekly basis and being able to do that one simple thing makes me love my 48" dual fuel. Likewise, having the small oven ajacent is also very, very useful in my kitchen. If it weren' for those two facts, it would be a waste of real estate. And either way, honestly, it was a huge waste of money.
splatgirl, what a refreshing, flat out open, look at this issue. I applaud you for just being open to the concept of pro vs non pro, especially since you have a pro range. I just went to a Thermador press event. They have an element in their induction burner that goes to 4600 watts. That has to be very close to, if not beyond gas. That's really my point. Induction is very fast. That, plus a separate 36" oven (for your catering platters) and another small oven (or 2 30" ovens) is a very good alternative. The power that the pro ranges have always talked about is a plus, but I feel we have the power now with induction, which, to me, changes everything, at least in terms of the design of the kitchen not having to be all about big appliances.