Contemporary Kitchens
Last updated: 23/10/2007 - 09:40
Streamline cabinets, clutter-free surfaces, practical workspace and clean, fresh colours all call to mind the look and feel of a truly 'contemporary' kitchen.
A few simple but effective touches can transform your kitchen:
Pale blue, ivory, light buttery yellow and washed-out moss green all work well with the paler wood of contemporary cabinets. Bright red, blue and grass green also contrast nicely with contemporary woods and floors.
For windows, sheer fabrics that let the light shine through – like treated silk, cheesecloth, distressed muslin and even neutral raw silks – work well. Simple patterned fabrics or bold primary colour blocks with cheerful geometrics and stripes are part of the contemporary style as well as solid, textured fabrics like corduroy and burlap. Natural light is maximised by leaving windows bare. Roman shades in neutral colours are neat and unobtrusive during the day.
Bold, space-saving furniture; free-standing, chrome-wire shelving; clever storage or cubed shelves in pale wood or bright colour are perfect for a modern look. Go for comfortable chairs in streamlined shapes. Try easy-clean vinyl or pale versions of a classic ladderback chair. Pale, bleached oak cabinets in unaffected, plain shapes are one of the trademarks of a contemporary kitchen.
You can also go for metal cabinetry painted white for a hip, almost retro look. Cabinets without fussy fittings; handles may simply be hidden grooves on cabinet undersides. Zinc-topped work tables are a beautiful feature, providing additional food-preparation space. Glass shelves invisibly stacked and mounted directly in front of an entire window let lush green plants create a curtain of greenery.
Recessed and halogen lighting on ceilings, above cabinets and under cabinets provides effective spotlighting. Also part of the contemporary style is 'industrial' lighting suspended from long wires hung above an 'island' worktop. Try chrome table lamps for worktops. Incandescent lighting also looks attractive in contemporary kitchens.
Easy-care 'concrete' vinyl tiles or bleached white oak flooring work well. Other choices include solid white ceramic tile or a white ceramic tile interspersed with unobtrusive black diamonds.
All-white cooker, refrigerator and oven work well with paler, contemporary woodwork. All-black appliances work well too. Stainless steel is by far the trendiest finish for appliances.
A mirrored backsplash gives a clean look and enhances natural light. Plants set in pale ceramic or metal containers add texture and colour. Alternatively, copper window boxes holding a herb garden look effective. A tall, old, wooden shelf holding a colourful cookbooks and oddments is practical and forms its own visual accent. Personalise your modern kitchen with an unusual item with a whimsical theme or odd texture.
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