Photography: Anson Smart
When it comes to modern kitchens, there’s no denying that light, bright and airy is a popular choice. There’s something about white-on-white interiors (and white exteriors, too) that is oh so stylish. But even the most timeless palettes have their limitations. As such, it can be good to explore the yin to the yang. In this case, it’s time to look into the dark and moody world of masculine kitchen design.
What is masculine kitchen design?
We can all embrace the differing aesthetics of masculinity and femininity, regardless of gender (as we did in this tour of a lady’s retreat). While femininity is often associated with lighter tones, fluid shapes and delicate patterns, masculine looks call for boldness and drama. The dark and moody colours that are often utilised in masculine kitchen design can create a sense of intimacy and cosiness that can be hard to achieve with lighter hues. This palette also feels sophisticated and mature instead of playful and frivolous.
If you have an open plan kitchen, living and dining area that leaves you feeling swamped with space, then masculine kitchen design could be of great benefit to your home. The dark tones can create an embracing and cocooning effect which feels more inviting than large swathes of sterile space. Eager to learn more? Step inside this Greg Natale project, which showcases masculine kitchen design in all its glory.
Inside the modern and dramatic kitchen
The fear of being boxed in led to the colourful contemporary design of this Sydney kitchen, created by interior designer Greg Natale for a married couple and their young daughter. While the exterior of this home is angular, with a modern palette of concrete and black cladding, the interior feels fluid. “The home is in a beautiful spot oriented to look over Sydney Harbour,” shares Greg, who adds that the homeowners are avid entertainers looking for wow-factor. “They wanted all the affordances of modern living but wanted to avoid living in an ‘all-white box’.”
With a brief that called for “meaningful colour and textural depth”, Greg took inspiration from the vistas of bushland and ocean. The owners loved Tiffany blue so a custom moldavite crystal quartzite, supplied by the joiner, was used for the island bench, inside the pantry and as a border around the joinery. “This stone picks up on the colours of the ocean and surrounding greenery, strengthening the connection between the interior spaces and the exterior environment,” says Greg.
The stone is showstopping, perfectly contrasting against the routed timber profile of the joinery, which was finished in Dulux Black with 30 per cent gloss satin. This sleek yet subtly textural joinery conceals the pantry, ensuring the kitchen looks clean and tidy no matter whether the couple is hosting guests or having a quiet night alone with their daughter.
After 18 months of work across the home, the project was finished in March, 2024. “The homeowners love their kitchen, especially the colour of the stone,” shares Greg. While diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, masculine kitchen design might just be even better.
Black is back in masculine kitchen design
Black adds a cohesive and unifying force to the kitchen, from the joinery to the Tom Dixon ‘Fat’ bar stools, upholstered in black leather, to the Lambert & Fils ‘Laurent 06’ and ‘Laurent 07’ pendant lights, all supplied by Living Edge. Even the Brodware ‘City Plus’ lever kitchen mixer and pull out spray benefits from the sleek matte black Nero finish.
How to decorate with Tiffany blue
The Breakfast At Tiffany’s townhouse is for sale but for those of us who can’t afford a significant piece of New York City real estate, why not decorate with Tiffany Blue instead? Vases, glassware, cookbooks and appliances can all be found in this colour.
Instead of an accessory, Greg used custom moldavite crystal quartzite, supplied by the joiner, to incorporate the colour into this masculine kitchen. Opening the pantry doors leads to a dramatic reveal: even more of the stunning custom moldavite crystal quartzite. Greg loves this material for a hardworking kitchen. “The stone is a quartzite, which is great in kitchens as it’s very durable, easy to clean and won’t stain easily,” he explains. (For more on kitchen stone trends, click here).
“Modern living was a huge part of the brief, hence the open-plan layout”
Greg Natale
How to balance out the drama in masculine kitchen design
It’s important to balance out the heavy use of black and bold colours with cleverly placed white. The ceiling was finished in Dulux Lexicon Quarter with custom plaster detailing by the builder. This speaks to light ‘Sivec’ marble flooring, made from honed and sealed slabs, which were supplied by World Stone. These materials temper the dramatic tones.
Interior design: Greg Natale, gregnatale.com
Builder: GCon, gconinc.com
Source book
The Edit: Shop the masculine kitchen design look
01
‘Geo’ bowl in Teal
$199, Fazeek
Far from a purely functional feature, modern tableware has embraced a trend towards sculptural and architectural silhouettes. Fazeek’s products in particular showcase this, in a splendidly colourful way. The ‘Geo’ bowl in teal is made from high quality borosilicate glass and is a beautiful way to serve salad, display fruit or showcase beloved trinkets. This bowl is a showstopping centrepiece in its own right.
02
AnZa exclusive grey concrete espresso maker
$2,204 (was $3,290), Ssense
This is not your typical espresso maker. Comprised of hand-cast concrete, porcelain knobs and a steel drip tray, this design is all hard lines and high-quality material. The style fits perfectly with masculine kitchen design, which is exactly why Greg Natale chose to include it in his kitchen renovation. The black steel drip tray also perfectly complements the black finishes used throughout the space.
03
Hoxton Room ‘Dayton’ metal bar stool in Black
$139 (was $169)/set of 2, Temple & Webster
This modern, sleek design is perfect for more compact spaces but also looks beautiful in larger kitchens, providing a spot to perch beside a kitchen island. The solid, metal frame includes footrests for comfort, while on top the smooth, moulded seat is contoured to perfection. The dimensions are 76cm (H) x 43cm (W) x 44cm (D). This product is a set of 2 and comes with anti-slip plastic floor protectors.
04
Wolstead ‘Satoru Damascus’ 6pc knife block set
$399.95 (was $999.95), Kitchen Warehouse
If you’re in need of new kitchen knives then do not delay with this purchase! From now until the 30th of June, the Wolstead ‘Satoru Damascus’ 6-piece knife block is on sale with 60% off. The Japanese stainless steel blades are comprised of 67 layers, hardened with Rockwell 61. The handles are made of Italian olive wood with stainless steel caps, ensuring these knives feel perfectly balanced in your hand. The set includes: 1 x chef’s knife, 1 x santoku knife, 1 x bread knife, 1 x utility knife, 1 x paring knife, 1 x magnetic knife block for easy storage.
05
‘Seaford’ frosted teardrop glass vase in Green
$39.98 (was $79.95), Myer
Greg Natale made use of greens and blues in the palette of his masculine kitchen design and this frosted green glass vase perfectly complements this. With a height of 28cm, it’s perfect for displaying flowers or greenery but also works well as a standalone decorative item. The teardrop silhouette is a timeless style. Filled with visual interest, the frosted glass has a pattern that almost mimics the veining of marble.
06
Fienza ‘Hustle’ gooseneck swivel kitchen sink mixer in Black
$230, Temple & Webster
Kitchen tapware is a big decision but gooseneck designs are a perfect blend of form and function. The high arch has truly timeless appeal but is also practical as it gives you more space beneath the spout. This helps with filling tall vases, washing large pots and other activities that would other be impeded by a lower spout. The black finish on this mixer is modern, bold and strong – perfect for moody interiors inspired by masculine kitchen design.
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