With its unwavering style and versatility, no shade impresses on our kitchen cabinets quite like white. This hue has shaped the most beautiful of homes for years, starting with traditional farmhouse-style spaces but also serving as the basis for a modern minimalist aesthetic – and it's found its latest admirer in the shape of Robert Downey Jr.
The actor, who resides in a 19th-century windmill house in NY's East Hampton, celebrates a color palette that is just as fashionable today as it was at the time of his home's construction. Robert and his wife, Susan Downey, opted for an all-white kitchen, complete with a marble island, countertops, and sleek vertical cabinets. The space stretches out to a breakfast nook with a white table alongside (what appears to be) a pantry in the same hue.
While white kitchens such as this are no anomaly, designers assure that this trusted tone will continue to remain in fashion for years ahead – just as it has already done in centuries gone by.
'White is a classic color, it's timeless,' notes designer Leigh Ann Raines. 'We've seen loads of white kitchens through the centuries, and yet, they still tend to feel charming and current. Just ensure you don't pair the hue with anything that screams of a particular era (such as dated light fixtures or old – but there's an easy fix for those).'
Leigh Ann explains that this tone translates to the full spectrum of architecture and interior styles – from farmhouse decor to a contemporary minimalist aesthetic. 'White modern tones are always going to be relevant in modern California architecture (or anywhere else, of course). Whatever the style, however, it's worth noting that white is best used in a more simplistic aesthetic. It's the natural base for simple, elegant, casual, natural, and comfortable modern design.'
Leigh Ann Raines is the CEO and Principal Designer behind Chic By Design, a full-service interior design firm headquartered in North Carolina. In the past decade, she has built a career delivering transformational change for discerning professionals before turning to interior design from the Tar Heel State.
'White will never look stark when the right balance of materials and textures is layered throughout the space in proportions that are soothing and welcoming. This kitchen color isn't going anywhere – it's always an option with a pop of color or a contrasting neutral.'
We're tapping into Robert Downey Jr.'s space with this beautiful white hue which we can sample via Backdrop below.
-
Wooden kitchens normally bore me – but this timeless design by Amber Interiors is the most perfect example of how to get them rightTexture, contrast, and well-executed details make this kitchen a design masterpiece
-
Sofia Coppola decorates her stairs with garlands, poinsettias, and bows for a Christmas aesthetic that will look just as good in 100 years – it's replicable from $8The filmmaker's entryway perfects an ageless, festive style thanks to its red and green color scheme – and it's so easy to get the look
