Ruetemple architects renovated this amazing Moscow apartment for a young family with children. The clients desired bright and comfortable living spaces, in addition to a total kid-friendly transformation of the neglected attic above. While the subdued design theme suits the sophisticated tastes of the parents, the layout boasts a number of exciting hidden features just for the young ones. The result is an incredible playground filled with surprise and wonder at every turn – and plenty of minimalistic design inspiration for idea-seekers. It’s a wonderful family home with something for everybody.
Designer:Rue Temple
The home tour begins with a clean and simple living room and kitchen combination. Differences in materials create a visual divide between the living room and the kitchen. While the living area boasts warm comfortable colors, the kitchen takes on a slightly stronger monochromatic theme with gray floors and slate countertops.
Natural wooden floors and clean white surfaces set the tone for the rest of the house, but the distinctive wooden slats set the stage for amazing things to come. Despite what appears to be a very simple decor theme, each room features increasingly imaginative features.
Here, a second entertainment room provides a place for the children to watch cartoons or play games without disturbing the parents or guests below. They’ve already claimed the whiteboard wall to the right – nothing beats original artwork!
The office is amazingly bright and functional, complete with abundant storage to the right and expansive windows overhead. This level of the apartment features fabulous floors with distinctive color blocking, quite distinctive.
Window placement can have a huge effect on productivity. These windows allow a clear view of the sky while shielding from the distraction of the street. They preserve privacy at night but remain open to the expanse of stars above.
The ladder leads to a netted crow’s nest for the children. Imagine the view from up there! Unrestricted movement means unrestricted imagination and endless opportunities for play.
Amazing bunk beds! Hollow stairs to the left offer plenty of space for storing shoes and other necessities, and a wall of cubbies provides room for everything else.
Here, you can see a small hole leading to an adventurous playroom above, netted for safety. Ruetemple Architects seem to know exactly what kids would find exciting – every space they create is unique and stimulating for kids of all ages.
The first office shown in this post was located right off the kid’s bedroom - perfect for studying, or for parents to catch up on office work while keeping a watch on the kids. This private study is placed in a completely separate room, and offers some peace and quiet away from the commotion of the play spaces. Its cozier arrangement reflects its purpose.
Oversized beanbag chairs provide a nice resting or reading area, drenched in sunlight. It’s easy to imagine the kids telling ghost stories under the stars at night – or perhaps hosting a slumber party complete with a telescope and hot chocolate.
Finally, a peaceful retreat for the parents. The wood slats on the wall are a great way to repurpose or reclaim extra lumber – a super affordable DIY project for any room.
Birds have a long and colorful history as a decorative motif - from cave paintings and ancient hieroglyphs, to medieval tapestries and ornate Victorian wallpapers. These beautiful animals have graced homes with their elegance for many centuries, and will always have their own special place in the world of interior design. We’ve collected 40 of the most interesting bird figures from all over the world and in every shape and size – ranging from simple decorative ornaments to useful homeware and beyond. If you’re looking for a gift for the ornithologist or figurine collector in your life, this guide is for you!
Owls are symbols of wisdom, beauty, protection, insight, and mystery, yet these elegant birds mean something different to everybody who loves them. These fuzzy little owls have lifelike appeal and a big personality. Each owl is 4" high and ideal for decorating year round.
Sweet, soft, and detailed – this hanging owl would fit right into any
Harry Potter themed home decor
!
These miniature birds pack an incredible amount of detail into a petit and versatile form. At four inches long and one inch tall, these birds are ideal for use in crafts like wreaths and dried flower arrangements.
Do you have a friend who just can’t stop talking about Twitter, or suspect you might be “that friend” yourself? Introducing Ollie, Twitter’s loveable mascot brought to life as a super-cute collectable. Ollie stands 4-inches tall and arrives in a windowed box ready for display.
Murano glass collectors and birdwatchers alike are sure to love these colorful little gems. Handmade in Italy and encompassing an incredible range of colors, these lovely chickadees would brighten any space. Just look at those curious happy faces!
This hand made glass hummingbird figurine would add beauty to any mantle, desk or window sill you place it on.
Elegant and functional – these porcelain spice holders feature powerful magnets that allow them to adhere to the curved metal rack as if defying gravity.
These sculptural bird-inspired salt and pepper shakers were designed by the team at Jonathan Adler as part of the Menagerie Collection, a diverse range of wildlife figures pared down to their most basic forms. The beautiful box makes this collection perfect for gifting.
Hold your everyday spices with this gorgeous pair of porcelain lovebirds, or pass them on to a friend who would adore these pieces of tabletop art. These salt and pepper shakers arrive in a lovely gift box ready to make the day of anyone who receives them.
Way too cute! This ceramic tea set includes an owl teapot and two teacups. These silly faces are sure to draw compliments anywhere they go. If you are interested in cool looking teapots like this, do check out our post:
40 Unique Teapots to Help You Savour The Taste Of Tea
.
This sparrow-themed salad bowl set is extremely sweet and useful, a great way to brighten the table with a pop of color and personality. The charming serving utensils sit perched conveniently on the edge of the bowl, organized and out of the way.
An amazing piece of functional wall art from Haoshi Design - this engaging set include a clock with two sparrows sitting inside, plus four extraordinarily detailed birds to serve as functional accessories.
Another unique clock by Haoshi Design , company dedicated to bringing joyfulness and satisfaction to those with hectic lives. This set features swallows rather than sparrows, but still comes with the same type of easy-to-use template for an attractive installation.
Alarm clocks… they’re useful, but they’re forever associated with early mornings, and very few people enjoy early mornings. This lovely alarm clock looks nothing like the traditional timepiece and instead opts for a more clever and cheerful format. The bed-facing side is perfectly pristine, and the other side shows a simple digital display suitable for programming the time and alarm.
Fine porcelain carefully sculpted into the shape of origami swans. The tops lift away to reveal a handy hiding spot for jewelry, office supplies, or other small objects. The large swan measures at 7 inches tall, and the smaller swan stands at 6 inches in height.
A multifunctional tool for bird lovers and fine drink connoisseurs alike – includes a sommaliers knife, corkscrew, and bottle opener. The Kikkerland bird corkscrew is made of stainless steel with a classic oak handle.
What could be a more charming way to serve a drink than by popping it open with this cute green bird bottle opener? This whimsical little fella is made of polished aluminum and has an eye-catching tropical green hue. Love to see more bottle openers? Do check out our post on
unique bottle openers
then!
Designed by Alan Wisniewski, this adorable trio of
wall hooks
is a great way to add a little playfulness to your entryway or bedroom. A small magnet beneath the beak holds keys, and the mouth has a slight gap to hold notes!
Sparrow Clips are bright, colorful, and ready to organize your hanging items. Neighbors are sure to envy these clips on laundry day, and DIYers won’t be able to stop dreaming up cool ways to use them.
Do you often have trouble finding your keys before heading out the door in the morning? This cheerful sparrow keychain and birdhouse combination is too cute to pass up, making it easier to remember to put those keys where they belong upon returning home. Bonus: the sparrow doubles as a safety whistle!
This sweet mamma sparrow wants to help you keep your notes and reminders organized with style, perched on a metal platform to hold the magnetic eggs in place until you’re ready to use them.
The Sleepy Hollow Pencil Cup takes the form of chic little owl in matte white, subtle and charming as can be.
In today’s tech-centric workplaces and schools, USB storage drives are almost as ubiquitous as keys and wallets. Why not enjoy them? These colorful owl memory sticks add personality to an otherwise utilitarian device.
Owls rule the night – but this owl wants to help brighten your evenings. Made from cast iron and sized to hold a single tea candle, this hanging lantern is perfect for the home and garden alike.
A fun night light even adults can love: dimmable, rechargeable, touch-activated, and undeniably delightful. Lift the lid to free this little glowing bird from its cage to take it with you wherever you go, ideal for those late night trips to the bathroom. Very innovative!
Designed by Pier Paolo Pitacco, this beautiful bird lamp is composed of gossamer fabric stretched over a structural steel frame. Each lamp comes with two covers - one with a stylish pattern, and the other in clean minimalistic white. Even the LED colors are customizable and easy to change.
Originally designed in 1959 by Danish industrial designer Kristian Vedel, these elegant wooden birds embody the modern sensibilities of iconic mid-century aesthetics.
Paul Anker Hansen’s famous 1960s wooden owl is another iconic design from Denmark. Each owl figure features a strong magnet embedded in the head and body for easy posing.
A delightful family of ducks, originally designed by Hans Bølling in 1959 – an essential piece for collectors of bird figurines or mid-century Danish sculptures.
Norway’s talented Lars Beller Fjetland drew inspiration from his interest in nature and sustainability to create the Turned collection, made from solid pieces of leftover mahogany formed into playful round birds with huge personality.
Songbird Alfred is a stylish wooden bird figurine by Kay Bojesen, part of a wider collection of decoration inspired by wildlife. Alfred is the wooden design on the left and the blue bird on the right is named Kay after the designer.
Another famous mid-century design by Kay Bojesen – a true “must have” for any serious Bojesen figurine collector.
Carved from a solid piece of lime wood, the Howdy Owl is an unforgettable sculpture sure to please selective purveyors of Nordic design. The powerfully stoic expression cuts deep shadows across the surface.
Perhaps the most famous bird figurine in recent history – the iconic House Bird by Charles and Ray Eames was part of their own personal collection, and made reoccurring appearances in photographs taken by the couple.
L’Oiseau is a minimalist sculpture by the brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. This piece offers a striking profile, its shape brought to life by the absence or ornamentation. Its raw beauty comes from pure form and material rather than ornamentation.
Designed by renowned Finnish artist Oiva Toikka, these colorful mouth-blown glass birds have been a cherished part of the contemporary decor landscape for more than 40 years – and throughout his career, Toikka has managed to create more than 400 of these gems for passionate collectors to pursue.
The unparalleled beauty of Swarovski crystal says it all. This spectacular swan stands at 2 1/2" tall and would make a touching gift for anyone with an eye for such precision and beauty.
The medium Swarovski swan stands at two inches tall, and features an exciting gem cut for a dramatic play on light.
Swans are famous for their great level of dedication to their mates – once a swan chooses a partner, they tend to stay together for life. The Soulmate Collection is a celebration of the power and integrity of this love.
Such a lively Swarovski collection! Each set comes with a mother duck and three ducklings, the perfect gift to acknowledge a parent’s continual guidance throughout life.
Dark isn’t the first theme that comes to mind when designing a kitchen. Stereotypical assumptions are of white and bright kitchens matched by light wood—something like the color of breakfast pancakes. Have you ever thought otherwise? Perhaps something like a modern dark kitchen?
We’ve got a collection of stunning spaces sure to switch up your vision. This black kitchen design inspiration is the sexiest interior design can muster. All divulging in shades of black, navy, or dark brown, they add what white kitchens cannot—a seductive allure that says sleekness and sophistication at the same time. Take a peek at some brilliant interiors on the darker side to see if a modern luxury black kitchen could be for you.
Modern Dark Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation
1. Make it an All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:Design At Sketch
Almost completely covered in black, a few minor elements shine in chrome and wood in this kitchen interior. We love how the textures do the talking, especially through the matte table under black wood-panelled walls. But having an open approach like this means that every one of your accessories on display—including knives, wine glasses, mugs, cutting boards, teapots, cookie jars, etc.—need to be on point.
2. Add Wooden Elements
Visualizer:Bogdan Tovstyy
This black beauty edges towards wooden elements. We see a speckled floor, a white wall, and a central bench. Rounded black lamps hover over the island, providing functionality and style. If you’re wondering how visual intrigue is added to this modern black kitchen… a huge credit goes to the abstract art!
3. Complement the Black Kitchen with Orange
Source:Vancouver House
A bit of curve rounds out the hard edges—adding some much-needed warmth. This wave-design bench leads up to an orange-hued enclave in this black-and-silver interior. The burnt orange sure makes a design statement (apart from the unique central island).
4. Keep Your Dark Modern Kitchen Simple
Visualizer:Panda Fox Studios
A simplistic look makes this black kitchen a winner. We see the basics: a light floor, a black minimalist island, and sleek cabinetry. But the contrast between light and dark keeps the ambiance interesting, while the large window welcomes plenty of natural light.
5. Make it Dark… Or Not?
Visualizer:Who Cares Design
If you’re eyeing a dark kitchen aesthetic but are hesitant to make the change, this is it. Introducing more light, this black kitchen is hardly dark at all. Black benches, cabinetry, fixtures and stools are intersected by large-panel windows, a white shelving stand and light flooring.
6. Make Use of Asymmetry in the Black Modern Kitchen
Visualizer:Visual Method
This modern black kitchen takes another angle on this kaleidoscopic space, breaking all spatial boundaries. Black and glass alternate in this chic kitchen as the interesting ceiling design keeps the space unconventional. We’ve also got to appreciate the cherry blossoms, doubling as decor even within the interior.
7. Factor in Some Warmth
Source:Modulnova
This warmer-looking kitchen makes a move to brown. It strategically achieves the purpose with the use of wood. This not only introduces natural textures but also makes the ambiance inviting. Talk about a modern style that’s equal parts welcoming!
8. Place a White Island in a Black Modern Kitchen
Visualizer:Jean Regauer
An instant way to brighten up a dark kitchen (we mean, get the best of both worlds)? This kitchen space shows us how by using a white island on a black floor. The backsplash further enhances this dark-and-light effect, while the cowhide rug adds just the right amount of coziness.
9. Make Marble Your Best Friend
Architect:Chamberlain Javens Architects
If you’re looking to create a modern luxury black kitchen, you know what you’ve got to do: Go big on marble! This natural stone adds the luxe factor to any space, especially as a large, central island, as seen in the kitchen above. You can also add it through the backsplash.
10. Make it Mysterious
Visualizer:Tomek Michalski
You can double the visual intrigue in your all black kitchen by adding some mystery. In this kitchen, mood-lighting sets the scene in black and grey, while a marbled bench acts as the hero. The back inlet and flooring create contrast and depth. Taken together, these elements make the space an interesting one.
11. Layer Gray and Gold
Visualizer:Mitaka Dimov
Black kitchens are cool, but what if we layer in gray and add accents of gold? This stunning kitchen space uses gray flooring to add diversity to the otherwise black palette. The thick gold panel is one way that makes the space look incredibly high-end.
12. Add French Style to Black Kitchen Design
Visualizer:Aeroslon
Make your kitchen both modern and French with traditional black cabinetry. In this space, standing armoires act as sinks, and all other displayed items remain black. The stark white clock can surely act as the focal point of the space!
13. Consider Soft Elements
Visualizer:Julia Sultanova
Rough, light wood and low-hanging white lights set this kitchen interior a world apart. You can also notice a layer of light gray cabinetry, adding variation to the otherwise dark color palette. These elements factor in softness to the black kitchen design.
14. Let the Accessories Do the Talking
Photographer:Mikko Ryhänen
In this black-and-wood creation, the accessories take center stage in adorning the interior. We love the houseplant, but the crockery deserves a special mention for doubling as decor. The light oakwood backdrop further warms the space up.
15. Consider a Matte All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:HDR Designer
Neat square panels perfectly line up to emphasize the stark black minimalism that is at play here. We love how the cabinetry is matte black with no hardware, adding a sense of simplicity. The herb planters are a healthy green addition to bring the otherwise simple space.
16. Add Some Stencilling to Black Kitchens
Visualizer:Julia Sultanova
Fine lines and stencilling set this monochromatic space apart. Lined by black magnetic lights, black stencils and glossy white facades, it makes its mark on a light wooden floor.
17. Build a Shape Out of Black
Visualizer:Huso
18. Create a Modern Dark Kitchen with Gradients
Visualizer:Mario Nogueira
If you’re wondering how the intrigue in this space is working… It’s the gradients from black, to charcoal, to light grey. White surrounds in the walls and a monochromatic hanging light. This clever design technique makes sure the space is anything but boring, even if it’s using mere neutrals (minus the stunning orange dining chairs, of course).
19. Leverage Black Textures
Visualizer:Nefeli Kallianou
One instant way to add interest to a black kitchen is with textures, as seen in this metallic matte kitchen. This accounts for decorative presence in the light and bright space, providing character to an otherwise simple room.
20. Work on the Functionality of the Modern Dark Kitchen
Visualizer:İbrahim Ethem KISACIK
This dark modern kitchen makes sure it’s as functional as is stylish. The central island is paired with a black dining table, while all necessary appliances are fixed into the cabinetry. We also see pendant lights and lighting under the hood providing just the right illumination.
21. Create a Modern Classic All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:A&L Interior Design
Folks seeking an inviting all black kitchen can look towards this modern classic space. It merges contemporary elements (through sleek black cabinetry) with traditional ones (as seen in the wooden backsplash) to bring together the best of both worlds.
22. Put Essentials on Display in Your Modern Black Kitchen Interior
Visualizer:Polygon
Yet another kitchen that uses black and wooden elements to create a dark-themed interior. What sets this one apart is the hanging pans. They do offer easy access as the residents cook, but they also double as decor! (Note how the pans also use black and wooden elements to stay coherent with the theme).
23. Add the Industrial Style to the All Black Kitchen
Via:Emotion School
Industrial style lovers, rejoice! This is THE inspiration to set up your favorite interior design style, the dark way. This kitchen uses rustic wood and exposed elements for the ceiling to create an industrial black kitchen interior.
24. Make a Statement with Black Chunky Lamps
Via:HomePicture.in
All eyes on the two chunky lamps hanging in this monochromatic setting. They do add focus but also allow the contrasting white inset to shine. Not to forget the central island, providing plenty of storage space.
25. Make Room for Keepsakes
Visualizer:Maxim Goryachev
There’s nothing like personalizing your space to who YOU are. This kitchen serves the purpose by adding keepsakes and heirlooms. Also, black leaves room for details, so it’s one of the best colors to use if you’re hoping to display knick-knacks.
26. Use Black to Add Intimacy
Visualizer:Helen Bank
Who says dark colors make small spaces feel smaller? We only see black adding luxury to this compact space (with some credit to the white flooring adding brightness). This kitchen—with black marble backsplash—speaks opulence, and for all the right reasons!
27. Enhance Black Kitchen Design with Patterns
Visualizer:Ksenia Lenski
This black kitchen interior makes a design statement with the patterned marble island. Its sleek metallic legs lift it off the floor, creating an illusion of space. Simultaneously, the textured inset makes sure visual interest is added.
28. Don’t Forget a Black and White Rug
Visualizer:Nada Aboelrous
If you’re not in for a complete kitchen renovation, simply painting your cabinets black and adding a black-and-white patterned rug will achieve the purpose! We love how this kitchen keeps sets the base with white and tops it with black.
29. Let the Lighting Make a Statement in the All Black Kitchen
Architect:Artpartner Architects
When everything else is understated, letting the lighting create a statement is a good idea. This matte black kitchen interior uses rod lighting to do the talking. It sticks to the all black kitchen color scheme, though!
30. Tone it Down
Visualizer:Valeria Mosolova
This open floor plan uses dark gray throughout, showing us that black can work in more spaces than the kitchen 😉 It sure makes a design statement for those cooking and dining—or lounging!
31. Consider a Black and Wooden Bar
Visualizer:Amir Emami
This is the ultimate modern luxury black kitchen! After all, what’s better than displaying your favorite collection of beer right behind the black kitchen island? The low-hanging pendant lights also add to the black kitchen design.
32. Add the Gothic Vibe
Visualizer:Sebastian Lorio
This dark-gray kitchen is super simple with its sleek, hardware-less cabinetry. Well, except the far left end. Here, we see a statement piece of art and intriguing layered lighting created a focal point.
33. Stick to the Minimalist Style for Black Kitchens
Visualizer:Miguel A. Ramos
This compact kitchen space follows the simple rule: white walls paired with black cabinetry and an island. Even in this nook, the space is able to make a style statement while providing optimal functionality. The window here gives a contrasting element of light to the otherwise dark modern kitchen.
34. Layer Lighting in the All Black Kitchen
Visualizer:Tatiana Durnescu
We see shades of gray and black coming together to bring this modern dark kitchen to life. What we especially love is the multiple types of lighting, all layered together to bring visual interest to the space.
35. Set the Backdrop For Your Living Space
Visualizer:Sasha Zolotukhin
