If you asked anyone who steps into my small London apartment to describe it in a single word, they’d likely choose minimalist, starting with my kitchen. In this neutral space, I keep only essentials (and the occasional houseplant) on display, and a pared-down design reigns supreme. It may surprise you, then, that my dream kitchen is the opposite.
Diane Keaton's colorful kitchen, designed by Stephen Shadley, is a maximalist's haven, filled with antique treasures and Mexican-inspired elements (seen through the tiles). Together, Diane and Stephen sourced hundreds of vintage Californian and Mexican tiles to create the statement island that feels like a piece of art.
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Bring effortless style to the table with this vibrant set, complete with service for six, including dinner plates, salad plates, and pasta bowls. Each piece features cheerful striped patterns that add a touch of charm to your dining experience, or to your shelves, just as Diane would envision.
Adorned with whimsical hand-painted motifs, this Campania-crafted dinnerware brings the warmth and charm of the Italian countryside into your home. Equally stunning behind glass cabinets, on open shelves, or as the centerpiece of your tablescape, it adds effortless beauty wherever it’s displayed.
Made from durable stoneware, each piece features a glossy finish and a colorful rim that makes every meal pop. The set includes six dinner plates, six salad plates, six cereal bowls, and six pasta bowls, all with a classic round shape and a vibrant exterior that adds personality to your table.
These kitchen tiles introduce a stunning vibrancy to Diane's space, but she continues to tap into the maximalist aesthetic with her colorful crockery collection, seen above her white cabinets. However, despite its eclectic nature, the room doesn't feel overwhelming, and I believe that's why I love it the most.
In painting her kitchen cabinets and walls white, Diane has curated a kitchen that's maximalist at heart, but isn't overwhelming. That's why, as a minimalist, I'm not shy to admit how much I love the result.
The white-painted cabinets, and how they work in harmony with her tiles and cookware, are replicable in every kind of kitchen. However, perhaps unsurprisingly, her tiled island isn't as easy to copy, but designers emphasize how it's a beautiful way to add color to your home, if the space allows.
'Using tiles on the backs of kitchen islands, under the overhang, can be a fantastic way of adding a pop of color,' comments Sebastian Aronowitz, the founder of The London Kitchen Company.
'Opting for the same tile on the floor and on the island back can create a really cohesive design, with your eyes naturally drawn to the feature; this works especially beautifully with a patterned tile, where the pattern can naturally flow from the floor onto the island surface.'
Whether you introduce a vibrant tiled island (like Diane's) or you incorporate color through cookware, her space is brimming with design lessons. Trust me, it's tempted me to give maximalism a try.
