Colorado native Calvin Seibert grew up on a construction site, wandering out after-hours to play with the large mounds of sand left behind. His experimentation with sandcastles began hundreds and hundreds of miles away from an ocean but the love of the craft stuck with him. Now he travels to various beaches to create impermanent sculptures that capture the imagination – inspired by the shapes and forms of Brutalist architecture, they bend the mind with their sharp edges and gravity defying arrangements. Seibert works with a simple toolkit of pails and putty knives, but the results hint at the complexity of fully realized buildings.
Many of the sculptures are a composite of simple forms, much like the Brutalist style of buildings that inspired them. Here, rectangles seem to defy gravity despite the heavy-looking forms.
Seibert makes sure to point out that his whimsical sandcastles aren’t built the same way as some of the competition-grade sandcastles. While competition entries are often carved from solid forms, his are packed and shaped by hand.
The artist doesn’t actually start with a solid plan in mind. Sketches and studies help to influence each sculpture but only in an abstract way: when Seibert hits the sand, the sand gets all the attention.
Building castles like these is a race against time. High tides, wind, seagulls, and beach going children are just a few of the potential obstacles the artist has to consider.
Of course, with over 30 years of sandcastle-building under his belt, Calvin Seibert likely has a good intuition when it comes to picking the perfect spot for his creations.
Unfortunately, the Brutalist structures that helped inform this style turned out to be just as transient as the sandcastles themselves. Multiple organizations work to preserve the historical style that finds itself frequently under attack.
Forms range from rigid to organic. As the sun passes overhead, the structures tend to change and evolve.
Building up from one plane to the next, the artist is able to create compositions that look like surreal landscapes of sorts. Courtyards and architectural features are common themes.
Some of them look like fully realized cities, with whimsical pathways that give a clue to the daily lives of whatever residents the imagination can conjure.
Castles like these look gravity defying and immovably sturdy all at once.
Creative angles and curves contribute to a sense of weightlessness in some sculptures. Onlookers expect sand to be heavy and dense, making the visual experience even more interesting.
Some of the sculptures are so architecturally inspired they could almost be mistaken for a conceptual model. Here, textural details allude to different building materials.
Dystopian structure or just an intricate geometric form? Each piece leaves enough ambiguity for the imagination to take hold.
The color and texture of sand makes it a brilliant material for sculptures inspired by Brutalism, a movement that always emphasized concrete construction.
Seibert grew up near the Eero Saarinen TWA Terminal. The building’s dramatic curves and swooping shapes remains an important part of the artist’s repertoire. See if you can identify this inspiration in the rest of the images from the series:
Young families and contemporary interiors are not always the best of friends. Kids mean playtime – cooking, drawing, running around – and invariably, a mess that just won’t fit with your new white couch. Avoid crayoned white walls and large stains on your shagpile by using easy-to-clean, industrial materials - like these two family homes in the Ukraine and Belarus. Dreamy mushrooms and muted beiges meet black and white, exposed brick and subtle pastels in spaces that look luxurious – and remain that way. A blue couch here, and teal bathroom tiling there, allow interesting colour combinations that are near impossible to ruin. Flick through for two family-friendly designs to inspire your interior.
Visualizer:K BAND
Measuring a mere 72sqm, this home in Kiev, Ukraine needed a smarter design to house a young family. Centred around the idea of freedom – of thinking, movement and personal style – the space’s open plan structure, light tones and wooden frames keep in the warmth while avoiding clutter. The lounge starts off the space with a breezy window letting in light, alongside grey walls and simple artwork. Mid-wood flooring makes the space larger, providing a clean background for a rug to segment. Exposed grey brick winds around to the dining room, complemented by fine white features and a sprig of yellow florals.
The simple lines of the living room are viewed towards the TV, as its grey brick blends into charcoal cabinetry. Long, white lines allow a cacti ornament to dominate. Standing further back, the silver of above-TV cabinetry reflects silver lighting in the dining room.
Making a space of its own, the dining room shows off in simple wooden furniture accented by steel accessories. A silver chandelier plays notes, marking a spot for eating; steel table legs mirror a white stencil frame behind; long drawer handles in the kitchen mirror them both. Two kitchen panels provide more room by blending in wooden shades. The look is light and airy, making the most of an otherwise-tight space.
Through a cranny beside the main kitchen bench, grey brick winds around to another delight: the bedroom. Ivy clings to the other side of the wall, adding serenity. As in the living room, a wooden panel frames the taupe, grey and beige bedding, later emboldened in different textures. A grey wall and mat allow a little extra room for a teal bedframe and leaning blue abstract. The other side of the partition reveals a simple office space, an illusion of space in the same wooden shade. A set of drawers, vanity area and leaning wooden frames play the same trick.
The bedroom here does not follow through with exposed brick. If you are specifically looking for exposed brick inspiration for bedrooms, check out: 40 Bedrooms With Exposed Brick Walls .
Towards the left, a light grey door beckons into a nursery and playroom. Mustard curtains and teal tones add a softness to walls designed for children to scribble on. Housed in the same light wooden shades, the walls, cabinetry, bed frame, bookcase and floors carry the fresh feeling throughout the space. A large bonzai and telescope add personality.
On the other side of the room, playful aspects make themselves known. A teal feature wall dominates the space, holding a white glass case out of reach from the kids. To the right, a jungle gym is framed in stylish simplicity, an innovative answer to a kid’s toy. The mottled central rug ties the themes together, leading to a seated area and wooden wall decorated with coloured ornaments.
The bathroom carries on the teal theme in a large-tiled feature. Carrying a wooden sink cabinet and storage within its frame, a central sink plank and wooden shelf link it to the rest of the interior. White tiles and a laddered heated-towel rail extend the space, as grey-patterned tiles both link the designs and hide a bath. A feature light stretches out to the sink, while more muted LED lights allow no darkness in the smaller, tighter spaces.
A swing arm wall lamp is unusual for a bathroom vanity but here the designer manages to pull it off beautifully.
Visualizer:VAE Design Group
Our second family home in Minsk, Belarus, is a more comfortable 190sqm. Featuring more dramatic instances of black, white and taupe, its feel is more contemporary chic – but with clever, easy-to-clean surfaces that stand the test of playtime. The main living space exudes spaciousness with a wide-paned window and open-plan living area. Also featuring grey exposed brick and a black matte feature wall, the lounge furniture forms a set of low-lying cubes. Two strips of black lighting add subtle flavour, while a hovering lamp takes the stage. A patchwork mat blends it all together on a simple stone-coloured floor.
For more exposed brick wall living rooms, check out: 30 Living Rooms With Exposed Brick Walls .
A shiny marble inlet catches the eye towards the kitchen. Black cabinetry frames the central panel, as a trio of white lights dangle eloquently beneath.
Further extending the space, the floor leads towards a monochromatic dining room, alternating in black-and-white chairs and two hanging lamps. Featuring the same white-chiffon-clad open panes as the lounge, a zen-style bookcase hugs the wall. A look around the room shows the abundance of space in each area, creating a vibe minimalistic, sophisticated and clean.
A move into the office shows the kitchen’s sleek, shiny surfaces adapted for work. Black curtains and carpet beside a light grey bookcase create the illusion of room. A simple monochrome table and black chairs sit underneath an LED-stick chandelier, an artistic addition to a popular workspace. Chrome details provide the finishing touch.
The kids’ room shows a similar style of desk, bathed in white. Set upon a low-maintenance wooden floor, the same black curtains background a simple brown-and-beige bed. White walls and an inbuilt bookcase create a light feel, while a blue circular rug and beanbag mark a space for playtime. The playful yet adult themes of the room carry the youngster from early years to adulthood.
The master bedroom finishes off the space in an array of white and beige elements. Taking the LED-stick lights from the office and turning them white, black-and-beige bedding is complemented by a zigzag painting on a feature panel wall. Two lines of taupe curtains close off the area for dreamtime, opening them for a quick workout or steamy shower.
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
