Beautiful Kitchens: Contrasting Cabinets

{I never tire of Canadian designer and TV personality, Tommy Smythe’s chic former kitchen, which features contrasting high-gloss black lower cabinets and white upper cabinets along with a beautiful slate herringbone floor, white marble backsplash, and oversized lantern.}

I believe that every chic space has at least one statement-making element. When it comes to kitchens, one of my favorite ways to add a big style statement is by painting the upper and lower cabinets different colors. The result feels just as classic as keeping all of the cabinets the same color, but feels very fresh and modern. Not completely convinced? Take a look at these gorgeous kitchens and let me know if you change your mind.

{This pretty kitchen is a great illustration of the transformative power a few coats of paint, new hardware, and backsplash can have on a builder grade kitchen! I really like the dark, slate grey color of the lower cabinets. The modern brass pulls add a fresh touch.}

{This classic kitchen features white cabinetry around the perimeter of the kitchen with gorgeous walnut countertops and mirrored backsplash while the island has black painted cabinets and a thick marble countertop.}

{This kitchen featured on Chatelaine.com, features charcoal colored lower cabinets and white upper cabinets. They used a dark grout here with the classic subway tile backsplash to further play up the contrast. The wood accessories really amplify the masculine feeling of this kitchen.}

{The contrast in this kitchen is more subtle in terms of paint, but more encompassing as far as the whole space goes. The cabinets throughout this dream kitchen are painted white, while the island is a great shade of grey. It also has a walnut top while the rest of the kitchen looks to have honed black granite countertops. Further playing upon the theme of contrasts—chic gold hardware and lighting from Circa Lighting along with white subway tile backsplash in some places, and black honed granite along the back. I really love this kitchen, but wonder if some of you might think there is too much going on here. What are your thoughts?}

{Lauren Gelb Weisbarth’s Hilary Thomas-designed kitchen features classic elements and a contrasting black, marble-topped island.}

{This kitchen featured in House and Home includes many stylish elements—brass hardware and plumbing fixtures along with a gorgeous marble waterfall island. I had to include this kitchen because of the variety of elements—gloss white cabinets and painted black cabinets, marble, butcher block countertops, and painted cement tile backsplash. There is a lot going on here, but it comes together beautifully.}

{Last, but certainly not least, I love this chic kitchen, also featured in House and Home. You have ivory and warm espresso cabinets, both topped with marble. I think the use of the different runners is ingenious. The bold striped rug really pulls the room together!}