White and Stained Wood Kitchen

The combination of white and wood-stained cabinets with the wide-plank, wood floor creates a warm-cool “temperature” in this suburban Chicago bachelor’s kitchen. It also fulfilled my client’s desire for walnut wood elements. For architectural interest and heft, I added crown molding to all of the cabinetry. The crisp edges of the raised-panel cabinets, the countertops and the cabinet hardware give the space masculine appeal without going overboard. I convinced my client to choose durable, easily maintained Dekton countertops instead of the marble he requested, which can be a high-maintenance surface. The opaque white glass pendants over the island provide excellent task lighting, while the recessed cans in the ceiling generate even ambient lighting. Photo by Jeff Mateer