I've seen more than my fair share of beautiful homes decked out with state-of-the-art kitchens. From the industrial chef's style to the rather elegant bistro look, part of my day-to-day is gazing at these enviable cooking spaces.
In fact, I thought I'd seen it all when it came to kitchen trends, until I saw influencer Emma Chamberlain's midcentury-style kitchen that instantly took my breath away.
While the whole design of the kitchen is impressive (from the skylight ceiling to the clever panelled cabinetry), one thing stood out to me the most – the green marble. Of course, it's not exactly rare to spot marble in a kitchen, but its application is what I couldn't take my eyes off of. The central slab of marble makes a real statement; it frames the room and brings the entire design together.
I'd go so far as to say the marble is what makes this space, and it seems designers agree, as they've used the material in their own midcentury kitchens, too.
Shop Emma's midcentury look
Give your kitchen a midcentury makeover with these oh-so chic pieces that feel just like Emma's.
With its angular shade and curved base, the Worthing lamp is an irresistibly charming piece that will give any kitchen a cozy, inviting glow.
Emma's kitchen features a sleek rose gold pot filler, just like this angular style from Home Depot. With it's flexible design, it's a practical and stylish kitchen essential.
The Neptune light feels like it just walked out of Emma's kitchen. With its green marble and curved bulb, it's the ultimate midcentury lighting choice.
Marble kitchen ideas are no new invention, but it's the marble-fronted cabinets at the heart of Emma's kitchen that make the design so impressive; they tie the scheme together and really add to its midcentury feel. It's typical to see angular lines and modernist shapes with this style, but the marble centerpiece does this and more, adding that extra flourish of decadence.
Summer Jensen, CEO and Principal Designer at Hawk & Co, says, 'In a Midcentury-inspired kitchen, I’ll often juxtapose the organic movement of marble with crisp modernist lines, flat-panel cabinetry, minimal hardware, and sculptural lighting. It’s that balance between sensual and structured that makes the look so compelling. The marble becomes the statement element that grounds the space, much like the iconic materials of the era.'
Summer adds, 'The key is restraint. Let the marble take center stage by keeping the surrounding cabinetry and architecture quieter. Think sleek concealed appliances, integrated lighting, and clean-lined millwork. When styled thoughtfully, green marble feels timeless and architectural rather than trendy.'
I'm now convinced that green marble is the perfect accompaniment to a midcentury modern kitchen. In Emma's space, it offsets the sage green cabinetry and grounds the scheme with depth and texture. It's a clever color choice, too; the marble kitchen countertops and panelling contrast just enough to create impact without dominating the space entirely.
Amanda Sinistaj, Founder of Ellwood Interiors, says, 'As a natural element, marble works seamlessly with the midcentury organic philosophy, but the green tones specifically work well with the walnut and brass elements of the era.'
Before decorating with marble, consider what shades would work best alongside it. In the case of green like Emma's, Amanda suggests, 'Green marble works wonderfully with caramel and toasty oak colors, walnut, bronze metal finishes, but most importantly works best when it's used as the star.'
