Individual opinion

Taking the plunge and including bold color in a kitchen can be a difficult decision. We may admire kitchens with strong or bright colors, but aren't sure if we can live with them in our own space.

Kitchen designer Scott Martin of Blue Plum Design is equally at home designing brightly colored or more understated kitchens, like those featured here. One, decorated with neutral beige walls and charcoal lyptus cabinetry, provides a subtle backdrop for the owners' collection of African-American art. These tones also create a cozy, intimate space where the owners can entertain friends.

For the second kitchen, Martin worked with interior designer Ursula Kloeters to design a space for larger scale entertaining. A brightly colored countertop and patterned backsplash are teamed with dark wood, aluminum and glass cabinetry to give the space a lively and vibrant atmosphere.

"These two kitchens show the diversity in people's tastes. Both make use of new and interesting materials and modern design influences to create their own contemporary styles, but with completely different results," says Martin.

For information, contact Blue Plum Design, 41 Arkansas St, San Francisco, CA 94107, phone (415) 341 8727, fax (415) 341 8738. Email: scott@blueplumdesign.com. Website: www.blueplumdesign.com.

Story by: Trendsideas