Traditional Kitchen with Black Appliances Design Ideas

This renovation transformed the kitchen into a family and social-focused hub, designed for both everyday living and entertaining. With clever storage solutions, including a corner larder and ample drawers, the space is practical, organised, and perfect for bringing family and friends together.

This period property was full of original features, not least the exposed wooden beams and posts, which needed to be incorporated into the design. It’s hard to decide which features stand out most - the central island, wrapped carefully around the wooden pillar; the original fireplace, now home to a range cooker and antique-finish mirrored splashback; the gorgeous dresser unit, with butler’s pantry and double door larder; or the fridge and wine rack cleverly fitted under the stairs. It was all finished with a Quooker boiling tap and hardware by Crofts & Assinder. The spacious utility was fitted with a dog shower for the clients’ two much-loved pets. A mixture of open shelving and floor-to-ceiling cabinets in this room allowed the client to maximise the storage space and we included a handy bench seat and coat hooks close to the back door - providing easy access after those wet dog walks! All projects require careful coordination between designer, project manager, builder, their trades, our fitter and, of course, the client, but none more so than this one - that this one went so smoothly is testament to the hard work and teamwork from everyone involved. Kitchen colours: island in Little Greene Pompeiian Ash, rest of the cabinetry in Little Greene Rolling Fog. This amazing kitchen and utility room formed part of a much larger, whole-house renovation, managed by Paul Butcher of JRB Building Ltd.

The second project for Edit 58's Lisa Mehydene, this time in London. The requirement was one long run and no wall cupboards, giving a completely open canvas above the worktops.

Designed from our Devine collection, this light green Kitchen is a blend of elegance and comfort. Its 'Moonstone' paint colour offers a tranquil space for culinary passions. The pale sage green cabinetry, complemented by burnished brass handles, sets an enchanting tone. The smoked oak veneer adds depth against the stunning Silestone Calacatta Gold worktops, creating a captivating dance of light. With Miele appliances, this kitchen blends classic design and modern technology. At Tom Howley, we've meticulously crafted every detail to embody our ethos. With its serene aesthetics and flawless functionality, this kitchen is a place where elegance and comfort seamlessly intertwine.

Hendersons Photography
Large traditional u-shaped kitchen pantry in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Bespoke hand-made cabinetry. Paint colours by Lewis Alderson
Large traditional galley eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, granite benchtops, mirror splashback, black appliances, marble floors and no island.

This view highlights the kitchen island as the functional centrepiece of the room. Finished in Paint & Paper Library's Scarlet 'n' Rust and topped with a character oak single-stave worktop, the island incorporates a secondary prep sink and concealed integrated appliances within the working side. The seating side features glazed cabinetry for storing and displaying everyday crockery and glassware, while a painted towel rail at the end provides a practical finishing detail. Positioned beneath a row of aged brass pendants, the island serves as a space for preparation, storage and informal dining, while complementing the wider palette of painted cabinetry, granite worktops and traditional architectural detailing.

A colouful kitchen in a victorian house renovation. Two tone kitchen cabinets in soft green and off-white. The flooring is antique tiles painstakingly redesigned to fit around the island. At the back of the kitchen is a pantry area separated by a crittall doors with reeded glass.

This stunning light-filled Orangery is perfect for dining and for hosting guests. This large extension incorporates twin lanterns and three pairs of curved arched double doors that open out onto the terrace which creates an interesting and purposeful room. Vale Paint Colour - Exterior Vale White, Interior Putty Size- 9.5 X 4M.

When our clients approached us with their old vicarage renovation in Sawbridgeworth, their original kitchen sat in a dark, enclosed room tucked away to one side of their beautiful home. They knew the space deserved more. We reimagined the kitchen entirely, relocating to a spacious, light-filled room on the opposite side of the house, transforming it into the true heart of the home. Designed completely personal to our clients, every bespoke detail reflects how they live and entertain. The cabinetry is handcrafted in our newest style, which is a blend of our popular Mapesbury mouldings fused with our traditional In-Frame with bead detail in construction, giving the kitchen a refined, classic character that feels entirely at home within the old vicarage. The design centres around the striking Ilve range cooker, a bold colour palette, Zebra textiles and the impressive Viola quartz worktops, bringing our client’s wonderfully eccentric vision to life. This is a kitchen built not just to look at, but to work in: a functional, beautiful space shaped around the people who use it every day. The kitchen was just the beginning. We had the pleasure of carrying that vision through into a walk-through dining area, a walk-in pantry just off the kitchen, a utility room, a boot room and a media wall in a cosy snug, each designed in the same deep, rich colour palette that flows from the heart of the home. Every room connects, not just physically but in character, creating a collection of spaces that feel considered and cohesive from the first step to the last. Working within the available space, now flooded with natural light, the layout was designed to make every element earn its place. The wall run provides a home for the Ilve range cooker, connecting seamlessly through to the window bench and a slim cupboard for an integrated fridge-freezer, while the island commands the centre of the room as the main attraction. And it more than earns that title. Larger-than-life, the island is dedicated to doing far more than one job. It is where you will find the sink, generous storage and a huge prep space, all within arm’s reach. It is the kind of island that invites you to gather around it, whether you are cooking, chatting, or simply keeping the chef company. Dedicated to the space by the window, there was the perfect opportunity to introduce a cosy window bench, adding comfort, style, and function in equal measure. More than just a place to sit and admire the views with a rosé, it gives family and friends somewhere to perch while dinner is being prepared, keeping everyone connected to the heart of the action. Upholstered in zebra textiles, the mixture of textures and patterns brings a bold, playful energy that works beautifully within this traditional space. Every kitchen we build is handcrafted in our Essex workshop, and that is what makes the difference. Bespoke furniture, designed and built to fit the exact dimensions of the space and the exact needs of the people using it, means nothing is compromised. There are no fillers, no awkward gaps, no making do. Each piece is made with purpose shaped around how our clients cook, entertain and live, right down to the smallest detail. To find the perfect foundation for the home, we elevated one of our iconic styles with a traditional touch and an In-Frame style with additional bead. Each cabinet door and drawer is finished with Armac Martin Withenshaw handles in a polished brass lacquered finish. The warmth of the brass brings a richness to every touchpoint. This thoughtful mix of handles in varying sizes adds visual interest across the kitchen. Inside, the craftsmanship continues with solid oak dovetail drawers and an oak interior, ensuring the same level of quality is present behind the doors as it is on display. All hinges are soft-close, making the kitchen feel smooth and refined in everyday use. It is this attention to what you do not immediately see that sets a handmade kitchen apart. With a colour palette that is anything but safe, but that is exactly what makes it work. Hand-painted in the flattering tones of Farrow & Ball’s Off Black, it carries all the depth and drama of a true black but with a warmth that stops it ever feeling harsh. It’s a colour that commands a room without overwhelming it. Paired with the Off Black cabinetry are the Viola quartz worktops. A replica of the classic, timeless Italian stone that is often described as having “old-world” elegance, keeps within the Victorian feel of this property. Exactly what our client desired. Viola presents a captivating palette, dancing between the classic charm of crystalline white and the audacious boldness of rich violet veins and hints of golden touches. It is a surface that refuses to sit quietly in the background, and in a kitchen designed around our client’s eccentric vision, it feels entirely right. The sink area sits proudly on the main island, perfectly positioned for both preparation and daily use. At its centre is a Shaws of Darwen Bradshaw sink, a beautifully crafted fireclay design that holds its own against the bold Viola quartz worktop surrounding it. Paired with a waste and overflow kit in satin brass, every detail has been carefully considered to complement the wider palette. Above the sink, a Quooker PRO3 Fusion Modern Square instant boiling tap in gold provides boiling, hot and cold water from a single outlet, removing the need for a traditional kettle. Completed with a Quooker CUBE for chilled and sparkling water, a Quooker scale control to protect the system and a matching Quooker soap dispenser in gold, this is a sink area that works as hard as it looks. The gold finish across the tap and accessories ties effortlessly into the polished brass of the Armac Martin handles, creating a consistent warmth that runs through the entire kitchen. Anchoring the room with presence and purpose is the Ilve Majestic 1500 range cooker, delivering the power and versatility our clients needed to match their love of cooking and entertaining. The kitchen’s design was centred around this focal point. Above the Ilve sits the Westin Bloque extractor, seamlessly set amongst a handcrafted mantle with ornate and scroll detailing. The mantle frames the cooker and extractor as a single, considered feature rather than two separate appliances. It’s a focal point that feels as though it has always belonged within the character of this old vicarage. It is the details that truly define a handmade kitchen, and this space is full of them. Viola quartz shelves frame the cooking area, and the worktop continues up onto the walls, creating a beautifully cohesive backdrop to the Ilve and its handcrafted mantle. The angled skirting plinths and smooth end panels give the cabinetry a finished, furniture-like quality from every angle, ensuring there are no overlooked corners or rough edges anywhere in the room. Behind the doors and drawers, the storage has been designed with the same level of thought as everything on show. Bespoke cutlery trays keep everything organised and within reach, dedicated utensil trays sit exactly where they are needed, and deep bench storage drawers offer generous space for pots, pans and everyday essentials. We have planned the drawers and cabinets around how our client actually uses their kitchen, not around a standard catalogue layout. Step through the archway in the original exterior brick wall, and the kitchen reveals its second act. The opening welcomes you into a stunning glass-fronted extension, where the room and its furniture continue seamlessly into a light-filled space designed for dining and entertaining. Here, a second island takes centre stage, this time built for gathering around, sharing a meal and soaking up the daily dose of Vitamin D when that beautiful English sun decides to make an appearance. The beauty of the two islands is in what they allow. One for preparing, one for enjoying. And extending the home into a glass-filled space let the Viola quartz worktops truly shine against the rich, colour-drenched Off Black cabinetry, all handmade in our workshop. Connecting the two rooms delivers a bold, refined and full of character hub of the home. From iconic photographs to statement chandeliers and the warmth of the exposed brick wall, this space truly sets the scene, a wonderful balance of styling and handmade detail that could only belong to this home and these clients. Just off the main kitchen, the walk-in pantry is everything our client had pinned, saved and torn from the pages of glossy interior magazines. Designed as a dedicated space for the pantry essentials, it features open artisan shelving set against a tongue-and-groove panelled backdrop, creating a room that is a pleasure to look at and use. Every jar, bottle and ingredient has its place, proving that organised can be beautiful too. It’s a smaller space, but it makes a big impact, and the kind of details that turn a kitchen into a beautiful home.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional eat-in kitchen in West Midlands with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

This Edwardian home’s kitchen no longer suited the way the family lived, so we created a layout that placed storage where it was needed, kept surfaces clear and opened the space to the garden. After comparing cabinetry styles and hardware in the showroom, the clients chose our Shaker collection for its proportions. The kitchen uses three paint colours: Sage Green by Little Greene for the main cabinetry and bootility, Arras by Little Greene to define the drinks area, and Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin on the reeded-glass cupboards and coffee nook. The island began as a conversation about Lanhydrock House in Cornwall, where the family had seen a large working table. It evolved into a dark-stained oak island made in our workshops, shaped to fit the room and bring in extra storage. A curved cornice, CRL Verona quartz worktops with mixed edge profiles, and consistent brass hardware add texture and coherence. A wine fridge sits within the drinks alcove, while the bootility and coffee nook support the flow of daily life.

Cuisine pouvant être fermée par une porte coulissante, verrière pouvant s'ouvrir avec 2 ouvrants, éclairage dans des faux-plafond adaptés. niche pour cuisiner, volet pour ranger et ne plus rien voir. Plan de travail arrondi. Rangement optimisé

Nick Smith
Inspiration for a victorian single-wall eat-in kitchen in Surrey with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

Tim Turner Photography
Inspiration for a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Melbourne with white cabinets, marble benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, black appliances, raised-panel cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback and no island.

A delicate blend of classical revival and modern hardware, this oak and white kitchen is complete with a hidden pantry and a statement island. With brushed brass embellishments and ornate period detailing, master craftsmanship delivers a space fit for royalty. Natural oak cabinetry is expressed through inframe shaker styling, enriched with soft-close doors, dovetail drawers and ogee skirting plinths. The character oak is elevated by gold-hued highlights throughout: brushed satin brass handles from Crofts & Assinder, a twin-lever Old English brass tap from Bidbury & Co, and the gilded fleurs-de-lis that grace the AGA range’s back guard. Crowning the base units, Calcatta Glow quartz delivers a polished milky white surface with delicate black and gold veining. The cooking area is framed by a bespoke handmade hood and sweeping curved tall units with discreet spice pullouts, while opposite, the island holds a traditional ceramic Belfast double sink. A concealed cabinet doorway leads into the walk-in pantry and scullery, housing an additional ceramic sink set underneath a 40mm solid oak worktop, alongside a full-height Liebherr Fridge/Freezer and eye-level Neff oven and combi oven. This hidden space also features a floor-to-ceiling wine rack, wicker basket pullouts, and a custom bench seat for practicality and charm. At the centre, the custom island distinguishes the kitchen as one of a kind. An antique unit is seamlessly scribed into the cabinetry, complete with slatted shelving for wicker baskets on one side, while the other extends into a seating area supported by a carved solid wood pedestal beneath a 60mm quartz worktop with a double ogee profile. Further details—tongue-and-groove panelling, fluted pilasters, carved ball-and-claw feet, and animal motif onlays—enrich the piece with heritage artistry. The finished kitchen strikes a perfect balance between historic character and contemporary function. Every element is bespoke, every detail considered; the result is a timeless, luxurious interior designed and crafted to reign for generations to come.

Cupboards painted in "PP11-12-13WA" (Oil Eggshell) by Paper and Paints. Boarded wall panelling painted in "PP11-12-13AD" (Oil Eggshell) by Paper and Paints. Source of leather handles is unknown. Ironmongery by Jane Knapp. Sink by Villeroy & Boch. Tap in pewter finish by Perrin & Rowe.

Photo by deVol Kitchens
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, marble benchtops, stone slab splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors and no island.

Inspiration for a traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, beige splashback, black appliances, no island, grey floor, beige benchtop and vaulted.