There can be a lot of pressure at the start of a kitchen renovation. It’s a space that carries a lot of weight financially and emotionally—after all, it’s where you’ll cook holiday meals and gather with loved ones—so making decisions on the outset of a renovation can be tough. It doesn’t help that we seem to be in the midst of a design shift, too.
“It feels like the pendulum has really swung to extremes on kitchen colors over the past few years, from a desire for either all-white kitchens or a strong, multi-tone aesthetic,” says designer Heather Peterson.
If you’re having trouble choosing between a subdued palette or a more colorful one, perhaps the best of both worlds can be found in the “cashmere kitchen” trend. “Cashmere kitchens are less stark than all-white, while remaining a bit more classic and timeless than strong colors,” continues Peterson. “People want to feel good, but they also want longevity. What’s more luxurious than knowing you made choices you won’t need to reconsider—maybe ever?”
A “cashmere kitchen” has the soft quality of its namesake, enveloping kitchens in the type of elegance that still feels approachable. That seems like the type of kitchen anyone would want to spend time in, which is why four designers are on hand to share how to approach this trend in your home. Read on to get their tips.
What Is a Cashmere Kitchen?
A cashmere kitchen resembles a color palette that’s almost akin to a morning latte: It’s earthy, slightly pigmented, but still neutral enough to be flexible. Designer and content creator Anne Sage describes this design as the ideal middle ground for renovators. “It provides the inviting vibes of today’s darker, moodier decor trends, while still feeling light and airy,” she says.
Sage recently completed two different kitchens that fit this trend, and used two shades to make that happen: Shady by Dunn-Edwards and Cappuccino Froth by Behr. “Both work for a cashmere kitchen because they’ve got more presence than white or cream, but feel equally fresh and cozy,” Sage notes. Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors also has two colors to offer. “I love Farrow & Ball Shaded White or Pointing for those who prefer something like a cozy white,” she notes. “If you prefer a more mushroom tone, Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth is a proven winner!” And lastly, designer Jessica Nicastro suggests Portola Paints in Kinfolk for a richer off-white.
These soft colors create a calm backdrop, so it’s more likely that you can picture the same space feeling just as soothing now and in the future. Oholendt shares that this palette is easier to clean and can feel less stark than a white kitchen, while Nicastro appreciates its versatility. So it’s no surprise that all four designers think cashmere kitchens have staying power.
“While this trend has a new name and is having a moment, the aesthetic will still feel relevant in 10 or 20 years,” Sage says.
How to Complete a Cashmere Kitchen
Once you have the color palette down, the details of a cashmere kitchen are equally comforting. Here’s how designers would handle the rest:
- Choose unlacquered brass finishes. To add character and a bit of shine to a cashmere kitchen, unlacquered brass was recommended by multiple designers for sheen that won’t go out of style. “We love a great unlacquered brass kitchen bridge faucet, hardware and light fixtures that will age and patina to help balance the softness of a cashmere kitchen,” Oholendt says.
- Opt for stained cabinetry. A cashmere kitchen is all about a soft approach, which is why Sage suggests using stained white oak cabinets to complement the feel of the palette while adding some dimension. “We opted for integrated wood handles on the cabinetry, rather than choosing metal drawer and cabinet hardware,” she says. “One hallmark of the cashmere kitchen is that it may appear simple at first glance, but it’s actually quite layered—just like a thoughtfully composed outfit featuring a cashmere sweater might be.”
- Consider Delft tiles. Sage recommends using a matte backsplash in an earthy shade to stay on trend, but Oholendt’s tip is more specific. “We have a few cashmere kitchens in the construction phase, and one of the design elements I am most excited to see come to life is a classic Delft tile backsplash with Farrow & Ball Shaded White cabinetry,” she says. “It will be a design moment, I just know it!”
- Pick a punchy countertop. You should stay neutral while searching for a countertop for your cashmere kitchen, but make sure that it still has personality. “We used Taj Mahal quartzite in our recent renovation, and the swirls of brown, gray and cream beautifully complemented our cabinets,” Sage says. The results will be a kitchen that’ll keep you warm now and later.
Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor and marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure and other publications.
