Why A Classic White Kitchen Works
Kitchen trends come and go but there are reasons why a classic white kitchen works. White kitchens can be nuanced to make a lovely backdrop for special architectural features and personalized accessories.
Take a look at what my dear interior designer friend, Debbie did to make her kitchen the heart of her home in Newport Beach, California. I first published photos of her kitchen three years ago and it looks as new and fresh as ever.
Cindy and Annie and I have three friends joining us to show their kitchens, too. Lots of kitchen inspiration with links at the end of the post. And check out our new kitchen in Florida.
The Timeless Appeal: Classic White Kitchen
Shades of White Can Vary
Debbie used Benjamin Moore Light Pewter on the shaker style cabinets. It’s in the white neutrals paint fan deck but subtly off-white. Since this kitchen gets a lot of natural light, the color here looks even more white.
This is Debbie’s beverage area. The large drawers are refrigerated for drinks with white cabinets with shelves above for glasses and storage for spirits.
Notice the thicker edge on the marble countertops. The cabinet hardware is in a polished nickel finish.
Banquette With Soft Blue Accents
The banquette was custom made by Lee Industries and the chairs and table are from Restoration Hardware (no longer available). All her light fixtures are by Charles Edward. 
The banquette dining area is a favorite place to gather. The soft ocean blue is pretty as an accent color with the white color scheme.
Natural Calcutta Marble Counters
Debbie chose a beautiful Calcutta marble for the countertops and for the white backsplash instead of tiles.
White As A Backdrop For Collections
Her collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain provide pops of color and Astier de Villatte shines through.
Here you can see the paint color, Light Pewter, is a little darker when not in full light. The apron front sink is by Shaw. Look at the pretty polished nickel vintage looking hardware in the butler’s pantry.
White Kitchen Enhanced With Architectural Features
The Carved Range Hood Over The Stainless Steel Stove
There are beautiful circular embellishments.
Leaded Glass Pocket Door
“Brilliant Debbie” thought of putting in this stunning pocket door! Perfect for when you may want some quiet.
The white stools in bamboo provide some texture while blending in with the island.
I hope this has given you some white kitchen ideas!
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Let’s go have some fun in these ladies’ kitchens…
CINDY HATTERSLEY DESIGN
MOST LOVELY THINGS
CARLA ASTON DESIGNED
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Beautiful Kitchen! ….but easier when the kitchen is HUGE like this one to have space for everything
No. She is a private person. So I’m grateful to show this much.
Is there a link to Debbie’s website? I’d love to see more of her gorgeous home,
I could look at photos of Debbie’s house all day and her kitchen is truly a dream! I remember the first time you shared her other home, I loved everything about it. The home she’s in now, is beyond perfection and so stunning! I’m so glad you gave us another glimpse into her, what I consider, unbelievably gorgeous home!
Oops. I replied above.
After living in our home for over twenty years we finally are in the middle of a total reno in the kitchen and new florring throughout our home.. I always love to revisit Debbie and your other friend’s Califronia homes. We went with BM Chantilly Lace for our walls and cabinetry, except fpr two large islands that will be stained. We are getting close to the cabinets being installed and I finally have to make decisions about the lightening; something I have been dreading. I vascilate between brass and wicker and then today I bump into Debbie’s kitchen and can’t stop staring at her pendants over her island. Do you think she would mind sharing her source? Thank you again for sharing so much inspiration. I still need to decide on ceiling fans…yikes!
Beautiful kitchen! I love the light pewter cabinet color. I have been struggling with which white to paint the walls if the cabinet is off white. What is used here. Is it best to use same color as cabinet or go whiter on the walls?
That is up to you but I believe Debbie used a brighter white on the walls.
Could you direct me to the source for the nickel backplates on the butler’s pantry? My thanks.
Sorry, I don’t have it.
It’s just all gorgeous Mary Ann!! I love the idea of the cake stand for her oils. Thanks for sharing more of her beautiful home…I’m going to go cry now lol.
Linda
Great Post!! Absolutely amazing.
Thanks for sharing Debbies beautiful kitchen. The attention to detail is perfection. The range hood, leaded glass, floors, color, collections, love it all. Lots of inspiration in this one.!
I must be naive. What are the pocket doors used for? Do they store spices?
The pocket door is the leaded glass one between the kitchen and another room by the drinks cabinet.
The little doors on either side of the cook-top are probably for spices, herbs, etc., but they seem very small to me, although they are attractive.
Mary Ann,
Ever since I’ve been following you, some years now, I have always enjoyed seeing your friend’s home. She does an amazing job with her design and accessorizing. You do the same! 😊💙
Karen
Wow! Debbie’s house is breathtaking! I love the banquette, the staircase, the lighting, the bar….it’s absolutely stunning! So bright, timeless, and sophisticated!
I wish you could meet Debbie, Annie.
Gorgeous! Just like Debbie!
And you, TC!
This is a dream kitchen. Love the banquette and can imagine all the comfortable meals there. Thanks, Debbie and Mary Ann for sharing.
Debbie’s kitchen is absolutely stunning. White and blue are my favorites, always.
But, as I look at stove top, I think it lacks in space on both sides to plate your food. And behind the person cooking is a bar sink which leaves little space to stack plates. I find I like a cabinet for plates above the cooktop on the left or right, for easy access to the plates. And I have a cabinet below right of cooktop to reach into for platters. I would really miss that space while cooking breakfast.
But that said it is a really lovely kitchen. I, esp., like the banquette.
It works for us…and Debbie’s large family, Patricia.
Why don’t you ever reply to all the above comments? Answer the questions of your followers.
I always answer when I can take a break from working.
Beyond gorgeous , the paint colors really take this white kitchen to a new
level the pocket door is my favorite part of this kitchen.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful kitchen with us .
I’m sharing your blog with my friend today ( she can’t believe I have been keeping it to myself )
And we are visiting you from the coldest place in the nation it’s- 40 in Montana near the
Canadian border brrrr
Wow…I hope you are staying toasty inside, Alexis. LOVE Montana!
Beautiful kitchen. Perfect in everyway. Could you tell me about the flooring? Who is the manufacturer? What is the color?
I will have to ask Debbie, Sandy.
Wow. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Debbie’s kitchen. Just perfection. Thank you for sharing!
I really love it, too, Anne!
Mary Ann, I just LOVE this kitchen! Wow where to begin? The details are gorgeous..What are those little cabinets next to the cooktop with the tassels? I love her barstools too and the Chinoiserie vibe all over. Her collected bar bottles are beautiful even. Can we see more of this house?? I just love every bit. I can see this in Newport Beach too. It’s just beautiful. I think I need to start collecting some of these pretty blue vases and pots. Love it all. Fun doing this with you all. xo Kim
Thanks, Kim. I have shown other parts of her house before…like her bedroom and bath. I should consolidate them to one post!
This is a gorgeous kitchen, love the blue piece in the window.
Me too, Cindy!
I could hardly wait to see Debbie’s kitchen and it was exactly what I expected and more. One word…perfection” at its best! Her attention to every detail, choice of cabinet color, all her beautiful accessories and classic touches make for a kitchen that I want to live in!
Thank you Mary Ann and Debbie for sharing what would be my dream kitchen. I will look at this post over and over and over again!
Yes, Gail! I’m glad we have it on “record” to review and pin.
What a beautiful kitchen! I am totally taken with the dining area and the use of the banquette for seating and I am guessing, possibly storage beneath. Having it bespoke is also a headache saving idea as it can be measured against table height. Being 5’1” how many times have a I felt like I was a child when sitting in some restaurant booths with banquettes. The pocket door is genius, we have incorporated them in a few renovations of our own and several are glass as well. Glass is actually a better sound barrier than the wooden doors, we incorporated that in the pocket door between kitchen/great room and laundry room. Cuts the noise way down. Pockets are difficult to retro fit and need to be part of plan when renovating, ie when the walls are ‘open’! I love that the cabinets are not glaring, full on WHITE. The subtle pewter is very sophisticated.
I LOVE Debbie’s pocket door, too. She is such a great designer.
I love a white kitchen and this one is gorgeous!! Love all the blue and white details and that pocket door is so special. Love all the styling too. Pinning this kitchen for sure!!
Thanks, Carla! Loved your post!! So educational and pretty.
It is always so much fun to see more of Debbie’s gorgeous home. This kitchen couldn’t be more perfect. The thought she put into the design is evident at every turn. She really did not miss a detail. Debbie if I ever build again would you be my kitchen consultant? Just kidding you are off the hook. I love every detail. Her entire home is simply spectacular!
I feel like I’m in a dream staying in her pretty home.
White kitchens certainly do work! Wow … this is a gorgeous and elegant kitchen. I love the use of blue and white pottery. Makes my heart go pitter patter. And, Debbie’s banquette. Swoon. Magnificent … I’ll be pinning away and referring back to this beautiful space time and time again! xo
Debbie has five little granddaughters…and the banquette gets a lot of use.