Few terms are as difficult to define precisely as "modern" - even when it comes to kitchens.
The possibilities of contemporary furnishings are too varied. However, if a specimen fulfils this criterion, it is unmistakable. This is also the case with a project in The Hague in the Netherlands. It illustrates how a modern kitchen can be designed - and that opposites attract.
Kitchen planning details
Cooking islands are not a completely new invention, but in recent years they have come to symbolise the modern kitchen. They fit in perfectly with the trend towards open-plan layouts and give a room spatial depth.
However, when renovating a maisonette in The Hague, the interior design studio VEER interieur & design faced a particular challenge: realising a modern kitchen in a small space. That's why the decision was made in favour of a peninsula kitchen. It only has a passageway on one side and takes up less space than a "real" island kitchen. In this way, it was possible to create enough space in a comparatively limited area.
In order to achieve the desired level of comfort and aesthetics, the technical equipment was also carefully selected. The centrepiece of the cooking island is the BORA X Pure surface induction hob. It impresses with its convenient operation, purist design - and the downdraft extractor system. Unlike a conventional extractor bonnet, it does not detract from the open room effect in the modern kitchen.
The effective odour filtering of the BORA cooktop extractor systems was also a decisive aspect for the homeowner. Due to the local conditions, only recirculation mode is possible - and cooking odours cannot be discharged outside.
White is generally regarded as the typical colour for modern kitchens, followed immediately by shades of grey and black. And you can hardly go wrong with these non-colours, as they are a timeless classic. Meanwhile, the featured kitchen in The Hague shows that things can be done quite differently. The planners deliberately used several colours and an exciting mix of materials and patterns. They go far beyond simply using wood to create a cosy accent in the modern kitchen.
In the small, charming kitchen in The Hague, a worktop made of Taj Mahal marble meets matt fronts made of dark blue veneer wood. Elongated light blue mosaic tiles adorn the rear wall and the fixtures are set on a solid oak parquet floor. The background is formed by walls in the colours beige and terracotta. The stools at the kitchen island are another eye-catching feature thanks to their rose-coloured covers and light wood bases.
This initially seemingly random combination combines to create an extraordinarily harmonious overall picture. The furnishings give the room character - and fulfil the owner's requirements for comfort and luxury.
The lesson to be learnt from this: It's not just about the materials, but above all about their interaction. The effect of a concrete look in a modern kitchen, for example, depends to a large extent on the surrounding surfaces. Wood appears even warmer in contrast to concrete. At the same time, the natural material emphasises the brittle, cool character of the concrete. Such effects make a mix of contrasting surfaces particularly attractive. And that's why black is often combined with wood in modern kitchens.
Does a modern kitchen have to reach up to the ceiling? Those who prefer a purist look will usually answer this question spontaneously with "yes". This also allows additional storage space to be created. But exceptions prove the rule - especially if they can be well justified. In our example, the distance to the ceiling made it possible to paint the remaining wall in terracotta. This colour sets a warm accent and gives the room additional depth.
Ultimately, the desired look and the spatial situation are decisive. For example, in a modern kitchen under a sloping roof. To avoid an unsightly conflict between the slope and the top edge of the wall units, there are two options: Either the modern kitchen is built up to the ceiling - or realised without wall units.
Last but not least, the modern kitchen in The Hague shows the effect that even small details can have. While the wall and base units are designed without handles, the double-door refrigerator stands out with its gold-coloured handles. And it is not alone with its eye-catching metal handles. Their colour is repeated on the tap, so that everything comes together to form a harmonious composition.
Multiple colours, contrasting materials and deliberate details in a modern kitchen with peninsula: The project by VEER interieur & design shows the creative possibilities that exist even in a small space. All that is needed is the courage to find unusual solutions - and careful planning to realise them. This creates living spaces that invite you to spend cosy evenings cooking with friends and feel at home.
