Ina Garten Used the “White Plate Rule” for Her Kitchen Color Palette
Ina Garten once said that she’ll never use decorative and colorful plates because the food should always be the star of the show. So, it comes as no surprise that she’s applied what we’re dubbing “the white plate rule” to her kitchen as well. Interior designers and realtors have warned that white kitchens are on their way out, but Ina begs to differ. Her neutral space is clean, bright, and does what it’s supposed to do: Put the focus on the food.
Ina, who’s continuously shared snippets of her home via social media, revealed on Instagram that she renovated her kitchen for the first time in 25 years during the pandemic. She opted to keep things simple, incorporating soft grays, warm brass, and beige throughout. She does have a black stone countertop on her island, which matches her Lacanche stove, but the rest of the space remains light-toned.
The only pops of color in the kitchen are the spines of her cookbooks lined up along the counter next to the fridge, framed food photographs, and, of course, Ina’s iconic blue button-down shirt.
Even after the kitchen reno, Ina’s existing accessories fit seamlessly into the new space because she’s followed the “white plate rule” for years. Her collection of white servingware, glass cake stands, and cute woven baskets is even on display in an exposed kitchen cabinet — which would also be the perfect spot to style brighter pots, pans, or drinking glasses, if you want a little bit more color.
Although white kitchens may be on the decline, consider letting your food speak the loudest and keep your surroundings neutral like Ina. With a simple color palette as a backdrop, you may even find you’re more inspired than ever to get creative in the kitchen.