Settled 30 feet above Sakinaw Lake in British Columbia, Canada, Vertes Retreat is a luxurious vacation home, made for a family of four. Created by W O V E N Architecture and Design , with landscape design by Houston Landscapes , this 380 square metre modern house unfolds in an L-shape arrangement that beds easily into the rocky environment. The two wings of the home are topped with flat roofs that project over a wraparound terrace with outdoor living areas. Inside the home, sharp monochrome decor, cool concrete floors and warm wooden ceilings make up clean, spacious living areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors bless the interior with an influx of natural light and breathtaking views.
Shared materials and level transitions dissolve the barrier between the interior and exterior living spaces to encourage life to flow in connection with nature. Covered outdoor living spaces mean that the spectacular surroundings can be enjoyed under any weather.
An outdoor gray sofa and chairs surround a fire pit on the terrace, to chase away the chilly air. Small side tables are dotted around to hold drinks and snacks within arm’s reach. See more ideas for outdoor side tables .
The holiday home promotes rest and recreation, a total escape from the busy urban buzz.
The modern fireplace burns like a beacon to call the family to gather around and share stories and good times. This is the fire where lasting vacation memories are forged.
Inside the luxury holiday home, a crisp decor palette of grey concrete, fresh white cabinetry and bold black elements build a spacious and airy atmosphere. Wooden ceilings cap the cool interior palette with a crown of tonal warmth, which is echoed in smaller furniture items and accessories around the home.
The cosy living room is dominated by a commanding black steel fireplace wall that frames and intensifies the brightness of orange flame. A log store is built in alongside the modern fireplace for both convenience and aesthetics. Black accent chairs balance out the dark fireplace, whilst a large area rug threads subtle colour into the lounge scheme.
A huge, black-framed window with a phenomenal rocky view looks just like a framed painting. A bespoke window seat has been installed along the sill of the window to capitalise on the mesmerising vista.
A formal dining area is situated between the lounge and the kitchen in the Great Room, where breathtaking forest views expand as far as the eye can see. Black dining chairs complement the heavy black window frames, whilst a wooden dining table warmly matches the ceiling.
The large, eye-catching dining room pendant lights are the Magnum pendant by Secto Design.
A slimline linear suspension light spans much of a central kitchen island without disturbing the simplicity of the minimalist white kitchen design. Modern kitchen bar stools line up along one side of the island to fashion a casual dining spot where the family or their guests can chat with the nominated cook.
An outdoor kitchen and dining area expand opportunities for interaction with nature on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Above them, the skylight that begins inside the living room continues out across the wooden overhang on the terrace to complete one continuous line.
The covered outdoor space effectively extends the living room, providing options for family settings and offering possibility of a little solitude.
The restrained exterior material palette consists of cedar siding and cedar soffits, which build a warm and welcoming tone. The attractive timber also bonds the house with the cedar forest around it.
A weighty wood slatted wall partitions the home entryway from the stairwell.
The staircase design has an industrial vibe with black steel siding and rails.
Wooden treads contrast lightly against the black powder-coated steel elements.
Whilst the spacious single-story wing contains the Great Room, the two-story wing is home to the entryway, a media room, and the garage, with the bedrooms located on the upper floor. Long balconies make way for the homeowners to take in the morning view.
The topography slopes away from the foot of the house. Tiered landscaping softens the linear perimeter of the property.
The glass front entrance has views all the way through to the back of the property, where picturesque rock formations are framed in floor-to-ceiling windows.
The terrain rises in breathtaking undulations around the modern structure.
Glass walls open the home fully to a spectacular view of the glorious lake and its surrounding woodland.
The contemporary architecture beds low between the rock formations, leaving the skyline uninterrupted.
A larger log store is located outside of the property to last through the long rainy winters of the Pacific Northwest.
Exiting the home means walking directly into the wilderness, to the sound of birdsong and the breeze.
Skylights span the entire length of circulation paths along both wings of the home to pull in much-needed natural light during the duller months.
With wide openings along all sides of the building, the eye is able to gaze from one side of the forest to the next.
Exterior lights pierce the wooden overhang to provide a practical and atmospheric glow at nightfall.
The L-shaped property fits ideally around the natural rock formation of the enviable lakeside location.
Site plan.
Ground floor plan, including the Great Room, grand entryway, media room, and garage.
Upper floor plan, including the master bedroom and large bathroom, plus two additional double bedrooms with small ensuite bathrooms. This drawing also illustrates the ground floor’s skylight in its entirety, beginning above the Great Room and ending on the covered terrace.
Flowing Garden House is a large, luxury family compound, built for two entrepreneur brothers in the city of Zhangzhou, China. Created by architectural firm More Than Arch Studio , the 1700 square metre home stands apart from the majority of modern houses in China. This home is composed of three parts, which include a private unit for each brother’s family and a communal space for family gatherings, fitness and more. The social spaces centre around a peaceful courtyard design with a huge pond and majestic trees. The hope for this unique home design is that it will become a hub for extended family, and be the home fire that forges memories for generations to come.
It is a huge pond design that gives this home a feeling of close family connection. The central pond courtyard kindles a blanketing sense of serenity that flows into each branch of the house.
At night, the courtyard is a warm and welcoming space under soft exterior lighting. Focussed LED spotlights dance across the stone steps that lead down to the pond to create a pretty, tiered effect and promote safety in low light.
The concrete steps around the pond serve as a place to sit and contemplate by the waters edge.
The modern steps descend into the water, building an abstract design under the clear surface.
LED strips follow the wider edge of the pond, achieving a bold, contemporary look.
Mature trees thrive around the perimeter of the courtyard, creating height, texture, and natural beauty.
A traditional Chinese tea room opens up fully to the calming courtyard view. Tea drinking is elemental in Southern Fujian, as well as an integral part of hospitality.
With bi-fold doors drawn back, the tea room design is extended by a narrow terrace that leads to the water’s edge.
An indoor heated pool is placed in the basement, with lounge areas and meeting places situated alongside it.
A sunken courtyard blesses the basement areas with natural light and a beautiful natural panorama.
The material palette throughout the home compound remains consistent in warm wood grain and board-formed concrete. The palette is softened slightly in the two private residential volumes to create a comfortable vibe, where raw concrete walls are minimised by beige stucco.
In the larger, more open social spaces, cool, textural concrete rules with little additional decoration. Bamboo ceilings create a warm counterbalance.
Interior lighting is focussed and atmospheric.
A huge skylight brings sunlight to the basement swimming pool.
Fair-faced concrete and open walkways build a monumental aesthetic through the home compound.
The residential units that belong to each brother and their family are merged into one building but are entirely separate inside. They are entered via two independent, staggered entrance halls from a ribbon courtyard to establish privacy.
The combined home is equipped with a grand dining room, which is granted the best views of the internal courtyard design. The space is furnished with two round wooden dining tables each with ten wooden dining chairs to accommodate family and friends during the festivals. A smaller courtyard backs the room to create an open flow.
Fireplaces create a heartwarming glow, serving as an attraction for cosy gatherings.
The scale of respective spaces are distinct from each other to conjure contrasting moods.
The ribbon courtyard links all areas, threading an outdoor tour.
From stone steps at the northeast entrance, under shaded eaves, and through a series of narrow and wider spatial arrangements, the courtyard pathway is a private trail of tranquillity.
Via the south side of the building, a lower corridor reaches the terrace where the whole view fully unfolds.
For many years, the use of courtyards has been commonplace in local houses to improve environmental conditions and accomplish natural division between private and communal spaces.
Plants that flourish over time become earthed in family memories and in future generations.
Light wells touch each interior space with a hint of nature.
Porthole windows align to allow line of sight to pass through from one space to the next.
Guest bedrooms are arranged above the north side of the leisure zone.
Room sizes are compact and cosy, with serene garden views to the south.
Bedrooms are given an outdoor connection with a small courtyard .
Both of the master bedrooms are situated upon the south facing side of the second floor, which is faced toward woodland that leads to the sea.
Other than some land to the south, where the sea is narrowly observable through the trees, there are no remarkable views to be had, since the height of the building is restricted to just ten metres. This makes the courtyard and landscaped pathways all the more precious.
The 30-metre-wide dense forest belt serves as a windbreak and shield from typhoons. The 3-acre, rectangular residential plot has its shorter sides at the north and south. Neighbouring buildings stand to the east and west.
The entrance is on the north side of the road, which meanders into the social leisure space. The south of the home compound is the private residential area. The division of the two independent residential units fluidly forms the ribbon courtyard.
Just off the northernmost corridor, multi-function rooms within the two units can be used as a casual dining room, for arts, as a reading room, or for games.
The basement is equipped with a living room, home theatre, a snug, a laundry room, and spare bedrooms.
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
