Written by Dan Brunn

With the recent grand opening of my Bridge House, a one-of-a kind 4,500 square foot home that bridges over a stream in a surprising urban LA location, I sat down with my friends at Bosch home appliances to talk about the sleek kitchen design trend of black stainless steel appliances. Bosch played an important role in helping me transform my Bridge House design dream into a design reality. They center on the principles of great design, so I knew that incorporating their high-quality kitchen appliances in several key areas of this project was an ideal choice when creating a home that represents the pinnacle of forward-thinking design innovation.

The minimalistic design aesthetic I had in mind for this project paired with the timeless design of Bosch appliances helped create a space that I am truly proud to call home. Keep reading for ideas on how to incorporate this trend into your kitchen.

Question #1: Why did you choose to incorporate black stainless steel appliances into the Guest Kitchen of the Bridge House?

When I began thinking about the various spaces within the Bridge House, I knew immediately that I wanted to create a kitchen with black stainless steel appliances. I knew that it would create a sleek, modern look, while also giving off a warmer feel than might come across with traditional stainless steel appliances. I love the look of traditional white cabinetry and I knew that including this finish would contrast beautifully with the white cabinetry to create a playful, young look in a very sophisticated setting.

Question #2: Which design, materials and cabinetry do you think pairs with the black stainless finish and why?

I decided to go with matte grey counters and a backsplash with a similar tone. All of the cabinetry I selected was done in matte white, so that it could integrate seamlessly with our Bosch black stainless steel kitchen suite. I have similar recommendations when my clients want to go with this appliance finish trend. Pairing these two sleek colors and finishes together creates a luster that is very rich, while will still creating an inviting modern presence.

Question #3: What are the benefits of using black stainless steel appliances?

I personally love that black stainless steel kitchen appliances look warm, inviting and less industrial. From my perspective, it is important that residential kitchens feel more livable because the goal is to create a space where people want to unwind and connect with others. This unique finish really works well for the dream kitchens that I help my clients achieve as it helps guard against fingerprints and scratches.

Question #4: Are more of your clients asking for black stainless steel appliances in their projects? Have you noticed an upswing in requests?

In presenting this option to my client, more of them are expressing interest and some were not aware that it’s an option to incorporate into a kitchen. Now that I have a beautiful kitchen suite, I can more easily share the possibilities this stunning appliance finish offers.

Question #5: What other colors do you expect to see in upcoming kitchen trends?

This is a great question and it really brings back memories of the house I grew up in. We had a unique fridge in our kitchen that was a beautiful avocado color with a wooden door handle. I really believe that we will have more options for the customization of home appliances in the future. I like to think of this trend just like people wanting to add new bright or unique colors to their cars. It’s already a great machine but adding that pop of color really makes it that much more special.

Dan Brunn is a brand partner for Bosch home appliances. For more information on award-winning architect, visit www.danbrunn.com.