1. HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURE WITH MATERIAL CHOICES
'Inspired by the whitewashed oak vaulted ceiling, this kitchen was designed to highlight the beautiful feature above. Our Urbo & Metro handless furniture keeps the look streamlined, while the cabinetry in matte lacquer Little Greene ‘Lamp Black’ with white-painted and limed oak veneer contrast and echo the pale wood of the vaulted ceiling,' says Jane.
2. CHOOSE WARM-COLORED COUNTERTOPS FOR BALANCE
Your kitchen countertop ideas are key to ensuring a modern, minimalist kitchen feels inviting, so look to warm-colored, textural natural stone rather than those with a one-tone, bluer color. And if you are wondering if kitchen countertops should be light or dark, consider the room's natural daylight: light-starved spaces will always look brighter and warmer with light-colored countertops.
3. MODERN DOESN’T MEAN FEATURELESS
'Despite this being a streamlined modern kitchen, it is not without intricate detail. The sleek handleless cabinetry is decorated with oak recessed handles while the same oak is mirrored in the bench in the corner of the room.
4. CREATE A SOCIAL FEEL WITH SEATING
'When designing a kitchen for someone who loves to cook, it’s imperative to include comfortable kitchen seating ideas so that guests can sit nearby while you prep and serve,' says Jane.
5. INTEGRATE ART
The best way to make a kitchen feel more like any other room in the house is to add kitchen art ideas,' says Jane. 'This especially applies if the kitchen is part of an open-plan dining/living room as it creates a flow from one space to the other.
6. INCLUDE A FIREPLACE
'Fireplaces are making their way back into kitchens as the line between kitchen and living space is becoming increasingly blurred,' explains Jane. 'Not only do fireplaces add warmth to a room, they also give family and friends a feature to gather around for pre-dinner drinks.
7. ADD DIFFERENT LEVELS OF LIGHTING
'The best way to create atmosphere in any room is to incorporate different levels of lighting,' concludes Jane. 'In this kitchen, a trio of glass pendant lights hang above the island offering overhead task lighting for preparing and cooking at the island and stove. 'An adjustable wall light sits in the corner of the kitchen above the bench seating making it the perfect reading nook, while a picture light serves not only to highlight the large painting, but to radiate a subtle glow from above.