Modern Warm Kitchen

This is an industrial building so we used a charcoal metal frame detail throughout, from the architectural elements such as the windows to the cabinet frame and beyond. The walnut-stained wood cabinetry is warm — mixed woods are beautiful in a kitchen. And the polished stone elements brighten up the space.

Wood cabinets would have felt too heavy up there and I don’t always love glass — it can look messy inside those cabinets. But fluted glass catches light and adds an interesting dimensional texture.

To me, it’s the  grey-toned marble that pulls it together. I think if it was white stone with less variation, it would feel flat. The island is the first thing you see when you enter the room so we opted against a waterfall feature because that much stone can be heavy. And the sink is stainless, not integrated marble — it’s just simpler.

Book-matching marble, which is laying the pattern to mirror itself across the seam, isn’t the only option. We overlay an image of the stone over the kitchen plan to make sure it flows, but I always talk with the installer — they have the experience to confirm or challenge our take.

Linen. You can use it for Roman shades or drapery, for a slipcover, on your bed, sofa, your pillows and throws. It’s warm and approachable but sophisticated at the same time. It goes high-end or more casual. Linen doesn’t go away — and for a reason!

I’m seeing a lot more warm and brown-tinged stone. People are requesting stones with warm undertones and clouds of gold and brown.