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Notoriously cramped and dark, galley kitchens get a bad rap. However, Alexander Skarsgård figured out how to maximize light and minimize visual clutter in his former East Village penthouse. Real-estate firm Compass gave us a look into The Northman star’s previous New York City home, which sold last September for $2.5 million, and we couldn’t help but notice that his kitchen cabinets are the top selling point.
With the exception of the handles on the paneled refrigerator and freezer, the European white oak cupboards are completely devoid of hardware. Instead of brass pulls or rounded knobs, the actor opted for ergonomic grooves on the lower drawers, resulting in a streamlined twist on Shaker-style door fronts that helps create the sense of more depth. The pronounced recess between the central panel and the rails and stiles only adds to the optical illusion. Above, transparent glass panes slide horizontally, extending the sight lines even further while also putting all his ceramic dinnerware on display. These little decisions mean the teeny kitchen doesn’t feel so narrow.
If you were on the fence about mixing traditional design with minimalism, take a note from the Big Little Lies star—it’s definitely a thing. Skarsgård isn’t the only one getting in on the anti-hardware trend. Here are three more similar kitchens we love.
Copy It to a Degree
Unlike the actor’s high-profile frames, the ones in this Australia home, designed by Shona McElroy of SMAC Studio, have a slight angle to them, making the borders a touch subtler.
Go a Little Darker
The slightly darker wood that Sydney-based stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones went with in her kitchen (it’s American walnut!) plays nicely with her showstopping Brazilian quartzite countertops.
Try Two Tones
Designer Abbie Naber didn’t plan on this lower cabinetry’s white oak veneer faces and solid wood framing appearing to be two-tone, but she loves how it turned out. “Even if you use the same clear coat or finish, there will be variation, and that’s what happened here,” she says. It’s a new kind of edgy.