There will always be a deep curiosity about the private lives of celebrities. What do they do when they’re not in front of a camera? How do they act? And, most importantly, how do they live? Lucky for us, sometimes we are able to take a peek into the home of a well-known entertainer and get a sense for their lifestyle. In this way, us normal folks are able to live vicariously in the lap of luxury. In this instance, we are able to step inside the Montecito estate of Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman. The 3,991-square-foot home from architect Barton Myers is perched on a hillside near Santa Barbara and features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a stunning kitchen. Step inside, take a look around and see what else this estate has in store.
A view of the back of the home shows off the outdoor space, which is a major focal point. With a swimming pool and lush landscaping, it is a space where the family can enjoy the fresh Pacific air.
The interior of the home is, of course, gorgeously appointed. Unique coffee tables like this one are just piece of the luxurious design puzzle.
It’s no question that the ocean view and open design are the most compelling part of this 10.4 acre estate, but without comfortable reading chairs like we see here, it would be that much harder to truly enjoy the view.
The open concept home manages to have many welcoming places to gather, including this lovely indoor dining area perched underneath an oversized dining pendant .
In the colder months, of which there are not too many along the Pacific Coast, it is possible to close off the house with roll down windows to prevent the interior from getting too chilly.
A Harvard grad, Portman certainly wants a space in her house to relax with her books, and this library is the perfect cozy example of home decor for book lovers .
When you have a home with such a stunning ocean view, you want to make sure that you can experience it in as many rooms as possible. Here, a bedroom opens directly into the yard.
Even a smaller bedroom can feel welcoming and spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows like these.
The outdoor space is a critical piece of this estate, with careful, California-friendly landscaping taking center stage.
An outdoor fire pit and dining area is perfect for entertaining celebrity neighbors like Oprah or Ellen Degeneres.
The use of concrete and glass for the pool helps it to disappear into the landscape and feel almost like a natural feature of the hillside.
Native plants offer lush but drought resistance greenery in the backyard.
Where you cannot see the ocean you still have a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
But of course, the ocean view is the pinnacle of luxury.
Natural wood furniture has a rustic, comfortable feel and emphasizes the way in which the house works with the nature that surrounds it.
This breathtaking view of the Pacific could easily have been the deciding factor when it came to make the final sale.
“Don’t be afraid of the white page” is an adage that speaks to creatives across the world. White pages represent the beginning of the thinking process, of spaces full of possibility. Don’t be afraid - white walls in interior design sing a song of their own. These three interiors lean heavily on white space to create a feeling of calm and understated style. Use white walls to make high black glass look prominent, reflecting it back in mirrors. Use white as a natural canvas for mid-wooden shelving. Use white to look modern, clean and classic – in your own personal style.
Designer:Emil Dervish and Lera Brumina
Measuring 72sqm, our first apartment in Moscow, Russia, uses block-colours on white to create a simple yet eye-catching aesthetic. The living and dining spaces evidence this white-space thinking, as a navy block couch lies its short back against the wall. Met on either side by a white-and-wooden dining table, Michael Anastassiades’ IC S Pendant Light and space-enhancing mirror, the lounge carves its own centre using concentric circles in the bronzed coffee table, pale red rug and lines in the art piece above. Grey linen offers a seat to take it in, while a glossy black TV cabinet, stark black lighting panel and unique floor lamps sketch a frame.
Drawing in to the dining table, green dots the space in unique plant stands in stencil. Lit by a chiffon-curtained window and IC S Pendant Light, a plain white table surrounded by smooth wooden chairs make the space serene, leaving enough white for the shape-heavy lounge. The forms follow through to a hallway in white, re-shaping into a pink and navy circle painting. The framed white-and-black door and relaxed grey bench complete the reference to the living room.
Surrounded by white, the apartment’s walk-in wardrobe has room to shine. Darkened glass doors and drawers line one wall, where shirts and jackets hang as display pieces under LED strips inside. Met by a full wall of mirrors on its opposing side, darker features in a mahogany booth seat, forest green ottoman and monochrome artwork balance out the contrast. A special place to view the outside world and the owner’s visage is provided in a rectangular mirror on a bench-style marble table. A white corridor cheekily mirrors the lounge on the way out.
Echoing the wardrobe’s sentiments, the bedroom sets the scene with dark, French level skirting winding round to a desk. Bedroom pendant lights in the same forest green and another mahogany chair replicate the colour scheme, while a dusky pink throw creates a place for sleeping. Marked by the same white floor and ceiling throughout, a mini potted cactus and greyscale print add further thoughts.
In another section of the apartment, the boldest of black and white kitchens greet the eye. Taking on the theme of the walk-in wardrobe, a solid black wall takes dominance, holding kitchen cabinets, a fridge and sleek feature oven. A black stove-top, thick kitchen tap and marble extractor help bridge the colour gap, while a lamp and potted succulent eference the soon-to-be-served dining room.
Another dominant black and white space, the bathroom highlights its utilities in the boldest of blacks. A thick towel rail hangs beside the bath, while black-framed opaque doors close off the world outside. Tying into the walk-in wardrobe, a mirrored wall with a focused circle makes a picture frame beside a marble bathroom sink reminiscent of the kitchen. Punctuated by a stark black toilet and golden stand, a fern adds the final touch to a bathroom elegant in its simplicity.
Faded back to black and white, the final view shows the apartment’s focal point. See the plan for its wider segmentation.
Designer:Joanna Kubieniec| Photographer:Janina Tyńska
Decorated in white with elements of light wood and grey, our next apartment in Katowice, Poland, creates space by removing it’s 60’s partition walls. Set on light-grey floors, key kitchen, dining and lounge areas are headed by light wooden planks and pendant lights, while monochrome prints and standing ferns mark the corners and walls. The rest of the apartment appears dreamily open, twisting and turning amidst grey seating and the occasional black door.
Functionally and aesthetically simple, the kitchen uses unpolished plywood to furnish the basics. Winding wooden cabinetry supplies the cabinets and bench, while a thick black sink, stovetop and stools offer modernism. A chrome fridge works in well in the corner, as a range of artificial tropical leaves stretch towards the sun.
The bedroom, continuing the theme, finds a mast in a tall wooden wardrobe and high window. As a Swiss cheese plant drapes over the bed, the bed clothes itself in muted grey. A grey stencil design in kitchen-fridge chrome links the bed and small side table .
The bathroom lets itself be known in another cabinet doubling as a feature wall. A small space is made large with a simple sheet of glass and all-white tiling. Block porcelain amenities offer functionality, while a cavity in the shower wall provides a stylish way to store the basics.
The office offers 2 person workstations ruthlessly pared back. White walls and a high window scale to black-leg wooden benches beside school chairs. A thick black bookcase reflects the scene, as indoor house plants drape off windowsills or stand quietly. A grayscale print and metal lamp finish off the look.
Designer:Didoné Comacchio
Our last white space uses Eastern minimalism to create a cool, collected calm. Based in Italy’s historic Castelfranco Veneto, its 80sqm became spacious by eliminating corridors and using custom-made furniture. The lounge shows this focus by lying a few centimetres below the rest of the room. Using white walls, high cupboards and ceilings upon a mid-wooden floor, the sofa and coffee table lie low under rafters of colourful books. Framed by wooden ledgers, a soft grey couch and rug sit beside a subtle study space and Eames Elephant stool .
An Eames Bird replica guides us towards the kitchen, a glossy white affair backed by a wall of cork. Framed by acrylic blocks above and below the working space, its only marker is a leaning cartoon print fit for a superhero home décor home. Menu bottle grinders , a squat kettle and enclave sink punctuate this minimalist style.
Running along the cork wall, the dining area presents us with Scandinavian-style chairs and unique dining room pendants in the interior’s characteristic white. Woven chair seats hark back to the resident’s past in South East Asia; the black frames around them the modern world they are used to. A row of printed photographs amidst the greenery provide softer memories.
A step inside the bedroom reveals another white space for display – or for hiding. Rows of Scandinavian-style shelving hold shoes, accessories, and a minimalist sliding door with hole-drilled handles. Asian influences appear in a pair of Japanese slippers, bamboo towel rail and wide-set wooden chair. A shiny teal rocking chair and bedroom sink frame the other corner, an space ideal for nursing.
A peek behind another cork wall reveals a bathroom advantaged by wood. A shower drenched in white features a South-East Asian showering chair, this one in the form of an IKEA Frosta Stool . Minimalist plumbing in the shower leads to a simple and classic sink area, complete with circular mirror, standing sink and golden tap. A cork separating wall mirrors back the 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
