There are reasons why a classic white kitchen works (and why they are so popular). White kitchens can be nuanced to make a lovely backdrop for special architectural features and personalized accessories.
And good news! Cindy and Annie and I have three friends joining us to show their kitchens today, too. Lots of kitchen inspiration with links at the end of the post!!
Take a look at what my dear designer friend, Debbie did to make her kitchen the heart of her home in Newport Beach, California.
Timeless Classic White Kitchen
Shades of White Can Vary
Debbie used Benjamin Moore Light Pewter on the cabinets. It’s in the white 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.
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 lighting is by Charles Edward.
Side note: It had been over a year since Debbie and I had seen each other. She was my college roommate (and after college too) and is one of my best friends. The kind of friend you can tell your problems to and she lends a thoughtful ear. Anyway, we were thrilled to play around together while I took photos last week. 
Natural Calcutta Marble
Debbie chose a beautiful Calcutta marble for the countertops and backsplash.
White As A Backdrop For Collections
Her collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain and Astier de Villatte shines through.
That’s my fault that I didn’t close the cabinet door beneath the sink all the way. Here you can see the paint color, Light Pewter, is a little darker when not in full light. Look at the pretty polished nickel hardware in the butler’s pantry.
White Kitchen Enhanced With Architectural Features
The Carved Range Hood
There are beautiful circular embellishments.
Leaded Glass Pocket Door
“Brilliant Debbie” thought of putting in this stunning pocket door! Perfect now for all the time we have at home (and when we may want some quiet).
Thanks, Debbie for letting me show off your classic, sophisticated white kitchen.
Shop the post:
Let’s go have some fun in these ladies’ kitchens…
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
This is a gorgeous kitchen, love the blue piece in the window.
Me too, Cindy!
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!
Wow. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Debbie’s kitchen. Just perfection. Thank you for sharing!
I really love it, too, Anne!
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.
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!
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.
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.
I DO BELIEVE I KNOW THIS HOUSE TO BE ON AN ISLAND………..so THAT STAIRCASE IS INCREDIBLE!But lets get back to the KITCHEN!
IS that the sink LOGO on the kitchen sink not once but twice?
I love how she used the cake stand for her oils………BEAUTIFUL!
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS INSIDE THOSE TASSEL DOORS!!!!!
SHE obviously does not have a BLACK dog or PIG walking around in this kitchen!AND BY THE WAY SHE LOOKS FAMILIAR TO ME!!!!!!
THE KITCHEN TABLE IS THE PERFECT SIZE!
THIS WAS A TREAT Mary Ann ………..THANKS FOR SHARING!
XX
You got that right, Elizabeth! No dogs in her family but she has FIVE adorable little granddaughters!
This is a dream kitchen. Love the banquette and can imagine all the comfortable meals there. Thanks, Debbie and Mary Ann for sharing.
Gorgeous! Just like Debbie!
And you, TC!
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.
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
I must be naive. What are the pocket doors used for? Do they store spices?
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.!
Great Post!! Absolutely amazing.
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
Could you direct me to the source for the nickel backplates on the butler’s pantry? My thanks.
Sorry, I don’t have it.