by Jamie Kern, ASID, ARIDO
President, Design Theory Interiors
The contemporary kitchen is a favorite among the organized, minimalist set. While you’ll notice some similarities to the industrial kitchen in the simple, straight lines and the interesting contrast of materials, each has a distinct puzzle piece that sets it apart making it unique and easily identifiable. While the industrial kitchen often incorporates vintage accents, its modern counterpart is a forward thinker. You’ll find finishes like sleek metals, clean woods, lacquer, concrete and marbles with linear veining or no veining. Obvious horizontal and vertical patterns can be seen in furnishings and cabinetry repeated throughout the space. Concealed storage and the minimal use of accessories and countertop items allows the architectural elements and furnishings to shine as functional, interactive art.
Love this kitchen. It feels very crisp but the wood tones and the taupe veining in the marble backsplash keep it warm.
This is a nice subtle way to use contrast. Blonde cabinetry with dark countertops and white upper cabinets. Visually interesting but still serene. Notice that the upper cabs have no visible hardware.
Great contrast keeps the space from feeling institutional. I love the textured stripe of the floor that repeats the horizontal and vertical elements in the space. The simple white marble with the black veining is a nice way to soften the rectilinear elements
This is so fun. Still very modern. Concrete and metal, simple cabinet hardware, horizontal and vertical lines, concealed storage. And yet, the reclaimed wood cabinets and ceiling add an unexpected element and the only contrast within the space.
I love using the Panton S Chair almost anywhere! It’s uber-modern curved shape is such a great unexpected bit of interest in this space. Interesting hard-wired counter-mounted light fixtures really draw the eye upward so one can appreciate the height of the ceilings
Yum. Natural floors, wood countertops and wine storage cabinet are just enough to make these beautiful lacquered white elements pop.
I love the way the contrast of the dark and white forms a series of stripes around this room. And the classical molding and ceiling medallion are an interesting way to introduce traditional elements.
I included this photo to show that a modern space can incorporate more traditional elements while still remaining true to it’s contemporary design intent. This chinoiserie chairs make a great contrast. And I love the painted geometric wood floor!
This is for the true futurist and whether it’s your style or not, you can’t deny that this is amazing engineering and architecture!
design theory interiors ....... of california 
