Designers assure Robert Downey Jr.'s kitchen cabinet hue isn't 'going anywhere' – despite impressing for centuries

'Timeless' is not a term to be used lightly, but in the case of the actor's abode, it's accurate. Here's why its style won't waver

Robert Downey Jr.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.'

Chic By Design
Leigh Ann Raines

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 kitchen with marble backsplash and gold hardware

(Image credit: Jaclyn Christensen Design)

'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.

Supermoon Exterior Paint Sample | from $3 at Backdrop

Supermoon Exterior Paint Sample | from $3 at Backdrop

Backdrop's purest, cleanest white is an almost perfect color match to Serena's home. We love this formula because it applies easily and washes seamlessly – meaning it will impress for longer.

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.