When we came across this image of a fabulously white kitchen, we realized that it's not often you see open residential cabinets treated with square tiles as pictured.
The look creates some interesting features. While it appears that the upper cabinets had their doors removed and white tiles added during a renovation (lower cabinets are older, and not clad in tile), this seems like a great solution for creating a clean, cohesive kitchen design using the existing structure.
We love how the backsplash material is carried up to the ceiling. Open shelving is always a divisive issue, as some people feel the look can get cluttered too easily if display organization isn't perfectly maintained at all times. In this kitchen, the neutral contents of the cabinets do a good job of adding some interest to the all-white areas. Tile is also much more appealing to look at than the usual MDF seen in most budget-friendly cabinetry.
What are your thoughts on tiled open cabinets?
Image: Antoine Bootz
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Comments (28)
The tile complements chunky shelves.
Interesting idea. I remember a couple years back a show on TLC that had a kitchen remodel that was going to make cabinets out of drywall. Didn't happen though (homeowner freaked out). Would have like to see how that would have come out.
I like it, looks easy to clean!
Interesting but reminds me too much of a bathroom.
Looks great, but I will never be able to keep it organised. I am too much of a neat freak and will always be busy packing stuff neatly
Interesting and kind of nice, but also has a sterile look I think. Don't think it is easy to pull this off... except if you would use patterned/colored tiles and create more of a mediterranean/mexican look.
I agree with Sarita, it reminds me of a bathroom. Maybe if they had used subway tiles, so the cabinets weren't so chunky it would be a bit more appealing. Or just shelves, without the boxes
I like the continuaty of the sq tiles to the sq tiles on the floor, it makes sence. I'd love these shelves for display you would need a big kitchen and seperate pantry. I built my stove hood from drywall that ties into the ceiling.
Visually top heavy.
Looks great, but is it practical?
very Terance Conran
I think this would be noisy and make me feel like I was in a european youth hostel.
I have seen this in quite a few kitchens in some countries of subsaharan Africa. Once people start getting more stuff than the high end kitchens have cupboards with doors.
I think the former is a good look if you are a minimalist and are pretty neat.
"While it appears that the upper cabinets had their doors removed and white tiles added during a renovation..."
Not a chance - These were obviously built from scratch with the intention to tile them...
...an existing cabinet wouldn't have the thickness to accommodate those tiles.
Overall, this type of installation is far more common in Europe.
I love this.
man this would be so loud, and not just when moving plates around. Looks cool, but not very practical. But hey I guess you can just hose it all down when it's dirty.
We have a lot of this here in Mexico, but with more color :) This is a beautiful kitchen!
As mentioned above. This is done a lot in Mexico. Mostly in the food stands/restaurants.
I agree with lots of the comments here: it's a sterile look for a room that should feel warm and cheery. And the echo effect would make it hard to relax & hang out with friends and family. Even wood floors would be an improvement!
Agree with bepsf, this was not just a matter of removing doors and tiling. I am thinking for this particular case, that the addition of chunky wood shelves and countertops would go a long way to warming up the space, and making it look less bathroom-y.
Love the look, but impractical with forced warm air/central air and long coated dogs (Borzoi). There'd be fur in all the mugs, alas!
This only works when very exactingly styled -- in a real, functional kitchen it wouldn't look anywhere near as good. It would most likely be a hot mess.
-- and Terence Conran's interiors are more practical, natural and honest; this is very contrived and self-conscious, although it is an interesting idea.
I thought bathroom before I read the comments. I would never DIY this - ever. And probably wouldn't recommend it. It kind of works here, but only at first glance for me, once I saw the tiling I thought bathroom.
I like the idea but I'm not crazy about how it looks. The proportion seems off to me. As someone else noted it looks top heavy and chunky. Maybe if you used a smaller tile it would seem more balanced.
I like the tile reveal, but a door would finish off the look nicely, non?
I love this idea!
I gave up top shelves totally, but if I didn't that would be my choice.
http://slowly--surely.blogspot.com/
yes, perhaps if the tiles were something different. it reminds me of a wet room, as is. still, and interesting concept. i'm with newhavenz, though; our household is dusty and dog-filled. doors on anything that doesn't want to get contaminated is a must!
i'm not usually into open shelves, but this looks fabulous