Kitchen Insider: Dreaming of a white kitchen

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January-February 2014

AtHomeNJ.com

7

Christian Garibaldi

The epitome of clean, white is a timeless classic for kitchens. Three designs by Heidi Piron show how it can work for contemporary looks, traditional schemes and every style in between.

Kitchen Insider: Dreaming of a white kitchen

Update the kitchen, and you’ll be making one of the best possible investments in your home. A beautiful kitchen will always help sell a house. And since remodeling one is a major undertaking, it’s an investment that should last. Enter the white kitchen. Heidi Piron, whose Summit firm has designed kitchens in some of the area’s most exclusive neighborhoods, says there was a time when white was the hands-down HEIDI PIRON favorite among her upscale clients. These days, more clients are choosing soft neutrals like gray or stone, but white remains a popular choice. In its annual survey last year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association found that white continues to be the most popular color choice for kitchens. We talked with Piron recently to get some insider insight into the enduring appeal of kitchens dressed in white. Q. Why is white cabinetry so popular? Does it go beyond the fact that white matches everything?

A. In general, kitchens require a lot of cabinetry, and a kitchen remodel is a big undertaking, so white is a safe choice. It’s a classic for a kitchen, and it will never go out

kitchen without it feeling cold. I first look to the style of the rest of the home, to see if warm, earthy tones or cooler colors predominate, since the kitchen ought to flow with the other spaces. If it opens up into a breakfast space, then there are many opportunities to tie the two spaces together with color. Often, I’m designing a built-in pantry or hutch in a natural wood or neutral color that adds warmth to the kitchen. It’s all the layers, textures and depth of a kitchen design that bring it to life.

Q. What is the best way to introduce color so an all-white kitchen design keeps working?

Warmer whites have color mixed in, offering innumerable options for a kitchen’s mood.

of style. But even if we’re starting with white cabinetry, it’s my job to design a kitchen that reflects a client’s taste and lifestyle. And, whether I’m working with all-white or another palette, there are endless and beautiful variations.

vague idea but they can’t articulate it. I often ask clients to bring inspiration pictures that do not necessarily have to be of a kitchen. One client brought me a piece of driftwood and the design for a beach house kitchen took off from there.

Q. What would you suggest for someone who wants an all-white kitchen but isn’t exactly sure of the style they like?

Q. As a designer, how do you prevent an all-white kitchen from feeling cold or sterile?

A. It is very common for clients to not know what they want, or they may have a

A. There are so many different shades of white that you can certainly create a white

A. White has a way of making everything else that’s not white pop. One of my client’s initially wanted a black kitchen but was afraid it would be too dramatic for her traditional-style home. As an alternative, I recommended a white kitchen with black focal points — a black Viking range and blackened-steel hood. Trimming the windows in black tied it all together. There are other ways to introduce color without making a big commitment. For clients who have an interesting collection of dishware, I’ve designed floating shelves. It’s a nice way to bring color and personality into the kitchen. Heidi Piron is an award-winning kitchen designer. See her work at HeidiPiron.com. Visit Heidi Piron Design & Cabinetry by appointment only at 44 Maple St., 2nd Floor, Summit. Phone: (908) 598-0035.