The decision to ditch upper cabinets translates to getting creative with storage solutions. Whether you opt for open shelving or prefer drawers galore, here are kitchens with no upper cabinets that will inspire you to pursue the dramatic look.
STATEMENT KITCHEN
Photo: Lisa Romerein
Custom iron counter stools with cushions of Joseph Noble leather align beneath the kitchen’s unlacquered brass island, which was custom crafted by Keystone Millworks in collaboration with Larry W. Stone Custom Metals. A single Visual Comfort & Co. pendant makes a simple statement against the fluid veining of Danby marble from Stone World. The oil portrait is vintage.
MIXING MATERIALS
Photo: Emily Minton Redfield
Custom cabinets fabricated by Distinctive Designs, painted in Farrow & Ball’s blue-black Railings and accented with Emtek brass hardware, add polish to a kitchen defined by rustic wood beams and walls clad with white-painted face brick by Summit Brick Company. In the adjacent bar, the white oak cabinets feature metal mesh accents and an antique-mirror backsplash reflects the view.
SHOWSTOPPER
Photo: Sam Frost
The kitchen’s hood is wrapped in the a patinated steel. Rich Brilliant Willing’s Gala chandelier lights the quartzite-topped island. Rocky Mountain Hardware knobs and pulls accent the cabinetry, stained an ebony hue that speaks to the dark shade on the home’s exterior.
CUE THE CALM
Photo: Megan Lorenz
Christopher Peacock and his design team created custom cabinetry, hardware and paint for this Edwardsville, Illinois, kitchen project; the interior design was by Jessie D. Miller.
STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
Photo: Dustin Halleck
Breezy neutrals in the well-appointed kitchen get a splash of drama thanks to black accents. Custom whitewashed white oak cabinetry by ADK Design and Taj Mahal quartzite countertops from Stone Dimensions create casual sophistication.
ORDER UP
Photo: Mali Azima
Beneath Hudson Valley Lighting pendants, RH stools line a kitchen island painted Sherwin-Williams’ Caviar. The backsplash of SapienStone’s Arabescato marble—behind a custom range hood from Vent-A-Hood—and countertops of Pompeii Quartz are from Naples StoneWorks. Cabinets by Ruffino Cabinetry and Waterworks’ On Tap faucets complete the bistro look.
GUIDING LIGHT
Photo: Jeanne Canto
Rejuvenation pulls stud Rutt cabinetry in the kitchen, outfitted with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. Hudson Valley Lighting sconces perch above Waterstone faucets from Ferguson against a wall of Mosaic House tiles. A Malayer runner points the way to the breakfast area, where Ro Sham Beaux’s Malibu chandelier hangs above a Worlds Away table and Artesia chairs. EBL Construction fabricated the banquette.
SHELVE IT
Photo: Karyn Millet
Designer Andrea May hung a fixture by The Urban Electric Co. from her previous home in her current kitchen’s nook above an existing Roche Bobois table. She also hung two new pendants from the company above the island topped with stone from Tutto Marmo. The counter chairs are by Charleston Forge.
FOCAL POINT
Photo: Bill Timmerman
The white tile for the kitchen backsplash was designed by Groves, fabricated by SlabHaus and installed by Rex Tile. Walnut barstools by Cherner Chair Company complement the marble waterfall-style island from RAM Marble & Granite Designs.
