Updated October 3, 2026
This Rhode Island coastal cottage kitchen pairs Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) cabinets and trim with Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028) walls, honed Absolute Black granite countertops, white subway tile, and mid-toned hardwood floors. The Color Concierge chose the palette through an online color consultation, and the walls read light and bright without looking like primer.
We also worked on this home’s exterior, which you can explore in this exterior paint project spotlight.
When we first shared this project back in 2018, we predicted this kitchen would look just as stylish in 15 years as it did then. Now, almost 9 years later, we’re happy to report this space is absolutely still classic and timeless.
It was inspired by Nancy Meyer’s classic kitchen in Something’s Gotta Give (2003) and built in 2018.
Below are all the colors and finishes we chose for this white kitchen with black countertops. Keep reading to see how we used these design elements to create a timeless kitchen design.
| Cabinets and trim | Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) on Decora Harmony full-overlay doors |
|---|---|
| Walls | Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028), a light greige |
| Countertops | Honed Absolute Black granite |
| Backsplash | Daltile Rittenhouse Arctic White 3×6″ subway tile, semi-gloss |
| Floors | Mid-toned hardwood |
| Lighting | Quoizel Grant pendants in satin nickel: mini over the sink, large over the kitchen nook, recessed lights over the island |
| Hardware | Restoration Hardware Asbury pulls, satin nickel |
| Faucet and appliances | Kingston Brass Governor widespread faucet; stainless steel appliances |
*This post contains affiliate links for products I use and love. If you click on some links and make a purchase, I will get a small commission at no cost to you. This helps pay for the costs of the blog, so I can continue to offer great content to our readers.
About The Color Concierge
Our Colorado-based paint color consultants make finding the right paint colors for your home easy. Whether you’re painting the exterior or interior of your home, our simple yet effective process lets us get your paint color right the first time. We’ve helped thousands of homeowners transform their homes into a space they love. Learn more about ONLINE COLOR CONSULTATIONS today.
Is a White Kitchen with Black Countertops a Good Idea?
Yes. Black and white is a classic color combination that never really goes out of style, but we often hear from clients who are afraid to choose such contrasting colors for their kitchen and are worried it might look too harsh or stark.
While there are certainly softer kitchen color palettes that could be used if that’s the look you’re going for, I love a black and white kitchen. There’s something so unbelievably timeless about the combination, and it’s an easy palette to update with pops of color through your decor.
Our client’s white kitchen is the prime example of this. While we worked on this space in 2018, we’d happily choose the same finishes today.
Project Spotlight: Coastal Kitchen in Rhode Island Cottage
We worked with these homeowners completely virtually, choosing paint colors and hard finishes from across the country. The classic kitchen design completely transformed this space and will keep it looking current for years to come.
Kitchen Paint Colors
When we pick interior paint colors, we always start with the cabinets before choosing kitchen wall colors. We picked Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) for the Decora kitchen cabinets. With white kitchen cabinets, the trim color should be the same for the rest of the house. Extra White is one of the most popular trim colors in the United States, and with an LRV of 86 it keeps this space feeling crisp and fresh.
To continue the bright look and feel, the walls were painted Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028), which has an LRV 74. Incredible White is much darker than Extra White, and looks more like a light greige that adds some depth to the space. This grayed white is a lighter version of Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray.
The beauty of a timeless, simple kitchen like this is that you can paint your walls any color you choose, as long as it flows nicely with your decor. It gives endless flexibility.
Black Kitchen Countertops
The countertops are honed Absolute Black granite, completing the black and white kitchen color palette. We used a medium-toned timeless hardwood floor to add warmth to the space without taking away from the minimalistic design.
PRO TIP: If you choose black granite or quartz countertops, make sure they are honed. Shiny black countertops make the kitchen look like the 90s.
Kitchen Lighting
We’re in love with the satin nickel Grant Mini-Pendant over the sink, which functions as a work light when you need it the most. We picked a larger Grant Pendant for the kitchen nook and used canned lights instead of pendants over the island.
The widespread kitchen faucet under the mini-pendant is an inspiration, and a great replacement for a bridge faucet. I like it so much better!
Subway Tile & Appliances
The classic semi-gloss white subway tile sparkles in the sunlight. Because we used matching white grout, the tile offers subtle texture without creating a harsh pattern on the walls. We chose stainless steel appliances to complete the polished look.
Re-Create This Black-and-White Kitchen Palette
Ready to embrace a white kitchen with black countertops in your own home? Below are the exact colors, products, and finishes we used in this client’s space.
| Product | Where to Get Them |
|---|---|
| 1. Decora Harmony Full-Overlay Cabinet Door (Sherwin-Williams Extra White) | Decora Harmony Cabinet |
| 2. Grant Mini Pendant (Satin Nickel) | Grant Mini Pendant |
| 3. Grant Large Pendant (Satin Nickel) | Grant Large Pendant |
| 4. Kingston Brass Governor Widespread Kitchen Faucet | Kingston Brass Faucet |
| 5. Trim and Cabinet Paint (Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006)) | SW Extra White |
| 6. Wall Paint (Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028)) | SW Incredible White |
| 7. Asbury Drawer & Door Pull (Satin Nickel) | Asbury Pull |
| 8. Honed Absolute Black Granite | Find at your local showroom |
| 9. Mid-Toned Hardwood Floor | Find at your local flooring store |
| 10. Daltile Rittenhouse Arctic White Subway Tile (Semi-Gloss) | Daltile Rittenhouse Tile |
Coastal Cottage Kitchen FAQ
Does a bright white look too stark with black granite?
It can, which is why the rest of the palette matters. In this Rhode Island kitchen, crisp Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) cabinets sit against honed Absolute Black granite, but Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028) walls and a mid-toned hardwood floor soften the contrast, so the room reads fresh rather than harsh.
Should black granite be honed or polished in a white kitchen?
Honed black granite has a soft, matte finish that looks relaxed and classic next to white cabinets, which suits a coastal cottage. Polished granite is shinier and more formal. Honed surfaces tend to show fingerprints and water marks more readily, so plan on regular sealing and wiping if you choose the matte look.
What backsplash goes with white cabinets and black countertops?
A white subway tile is hard to beat. This kitchen uses Daltile Rittenhouse Arctic White 3×6″ subway tile in a semi-gloss finish, which sparkles in the sunlight and keeps the black granite as the only strong contrast. Choose a tile white that matches your cabinet white so the two read as one clean backdrop.
Can you choose kitchen paint colors online without seeing the house?
Yes. The Color Concierge chose every paint color in this Rhode Island cottage kitchen through an online color consultation, without visiting the property. We ask homeowners to send us unedited photos of their spaces in natural light only, as well as photos that show their hard finishes, furniture and decor. This helps us choose paint colors that not only look good, but look good in their space.
Key Learning Points
This Rhode Island coastal cottage kitchen shows how a white-and-black palette with classic finishes can look fresh today and still feel timeless years from now.
- Start with the kitchen cabinets. We always choose the cabinet color first when picking interior paint colors. Here, Sherwin-Williams Extra White (SW 7006) went on the cabinets and became the clean white trim color for the rest of the house.
- Pick a wall white that isn’t stark. Sherwin-Williams Incredible White (SW 7028) is a light greige, a lighter version of Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray, so the walls read light and bright without looking like primer.
- Let classic finishes carry the design. Honed black granite, white subway tile, mid-toned hardwood floors and satin nickel fixtures are a timeless mix that isn’t going out of style any time soon.
Sherwin-Williams Extra White and Sherwin-Williams Incredible White are close enough that the difference between them depends on your light. Test both on the wall beside your countertop sample before you commit, and see our guide to testing paint colors like a pro. And always buy the brand specified; paint matches never get it quite right.
Online Color Consulting
Still need help picking the best paint colors? Discover our Online Color Consulting Packages.
Related Posts
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- 15 Classic Kitchen Design Ideas
About the Author
Hi, I’m Michelle Marceny, founder, owner, and Principal Color Designer at The Color Concierge. I believe a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space. The Color Concierge was born out of my drive to help clients fall back in love with their homes. My clients trust me to help them find the perfect paint color — whether that’s a whole-house color scheme or ideas for a single room.
Since founding The Color Concierge in 2017, my team and I have completed 1,000s of color consultations, online and in person. I’m a Certified Color Expert with nine years of experience creating interior and exterior color palettes throughout North America.
Every color review on this site comes from colors we’ve specified in real homes and photographed on location during our own consultations — not from a fan deck or a manufacturer’s website.
We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions. If you want more specific advice, our Online Color Consultations will help you pick your paint colors. Thank you for your understanding.
