A splash of color like red mixed in with the black makes for a dramatic fun look as well.
Black or white cabinets.
This will give you a clean contemporary look without going totally dark or overwhelming the senses.
Light granite counter top.
The photo of the white cabinets just does not look as appealing especially since the refrigerator looks awkward in the space.
This can be both timeless and fresh and as an overall approach will never go completely out of style.
The island will also be stained black.
My permeter cabinets are antiqued black which softens things.
Whereas the refrigerator with the black cabinets looks more built in.
I m surprised to say that because i much prefer white usually especially in farmhouse design.
It doesn t look bad to me.
I much prefer the black.
I also have a section with open shelves and some with glass fronts and a copper sink.
My kitchen looks huge and i receive so many complements.
Also one photo gives you a more wider view of the kitchen and one photo is more of a close up shot.
Since cabinets take up a lot of visual space a lighter colour for the cabinets helps give a more expansive feel.
I think it s because the design above looks very modern y to me maybe it s the handles on the cabinets.
My walls are also a bright turquoise.
Overall a white or light kitchen will evoke a clean and sanitary look.
My current kitchen has white upper and lower cabinets with a black stove and dishwasher.
For a large kitchen with many cabinets consider placing an island with black cabinets in the center and then make the rest of the cabinets white.
Six years later i still love it.