The Right Colors for Your Kitchen Cabinets & My Favorite Whites

After getting feedback from commenters and co-workers on my black kitchen post, I'm realizing that it is indeed a beauty, and I need to work on embracing this trend (if it is becoming one).  To continue the conversation about non-white kitchens, and call attention to some great white (and black, for that matter) alternates, I invite you to check out the February issue of House Beautiful magazine.  I was excited to see their two page spread of fresh and current alternates to white--great as accents, or if you're brave, all-over kitchen cabinet color.  Thanks to the experts who made these selections.

Paint colors, in order from left to right, top to bottom:  South Beach 20433-50 [Benjamin Moore], 
Jute AF-80 [Benjamin Moore], Midsummer Night 2134-20 [Benjamin Moore], Cucumber Salad 562 [Benjamin Moore], Bewitching Blue SW6960 [Sherwin Williams], Teresa's Green 236 [Farrow&Ball].

Paint colors, in order from left to right, top to bottom:  Riviera Azure 822 [Benjamin Moore], Light Khaki 2148-40 [Benjamin Moore], Mercury CPP1 18 [Christopher Peacock Paints], Mysterious AF-565 [Benjamin Moore], Van Courtland Blue HC-145 [Benjamin Moore], Deep Aubergine 100F-7 [Behr]

I'll definitely be keeping this issue close at hand to reference some tried and true and expertly selected colors.  In fact, some of the cabinet colors and finishes we've experimented with in our design studio are spot on with some of these "trends".

 Smokey Gray

BM Van Courtland Blue

Similar to BM Blue Note 2129-30

Glazed Cream

Finally, check back for an update on an exciting client project that I started working on this week.  The design for their new kitchen is turning out beautifully, but more than that, they've selected a gorgeous and unique color palette that has given me great inspiration. 

And for those of you still on the hunt for that perfect white, here are my favorites for kitchen cabinetry:

Oxford White - CC-30 - Very pure and crisp, but not stark or chalky
White Dove - OC-17 - The perfect soft and creamy, comfortable white--you can't go wrong here
Dune White - CC-70 - More toward the gray end of the spectrum; a little "dirtier", but in a good way
Silver Satin - OC-26 - Not as white; silver with the slightest hint of gray-green--soothing and classic