cooking up an open pantry

A few days ago, I visited my friend who became a recent homeowner in the darling community of Irvington, New York.  Although our visit (due to her 2yr old twins’ self imposed extended nap) prevented a full excursion, I was able to surmise the town was brimming with charm.  This was evident in the architectural details and craftsmen custom built-ins that dominated the enchanting abode.

The original 1930’s cabinetry and bookcases were in excellent condition and provided a ton of display space throughout the entire home, however there was a lack of efficient and effective storage in the eat-in kitchen.  My friend was lamenting about the cabinets being stuffed beyond capacity, which got me thinking about open shelving.  I have long been obsessed with the concept of open shelving in kitchens.  The application can work from country cute to mid century modern equally well.

 

The open system allows easy accessibility for meal preparation as well as constructing visual interest from the different levels created by dishes, bowls and stemware when placed on shelves.  Cherished china and crystal can be beautifully displayed and perhaps serve as a reminder that every family dinner should be served on the ‘good dishes’.

 

Recently, I had installed an open shelf system in a client’s tiny kitchen (kitchenette would be a more accurate description.) where storage was at a minimum.  The depth of the kitchen cabinet in this rental unit was so shallow that her dinner plates were too big.  Stacking bowls and stemware were a tight and precarious fit.  Luckily, she had ample wall space near the window where a previous tenant had hung a series of hideous brackets and shelves.

 

First a bright coat of Caribbean Sea blue paint was applied to the walls.  I asked a carpenter friend of both the client and mine to cut 2 shelves of mdf that I then covered in cheap & cheerful oilcloth straight from Mexico.  The brackets were on sale at Anthropologie and the entire kitchen storage expansion project was crafted for under $30 including hardware for hanging.  Now the consummate hostess can entertain with relative ease, as all her serving plates and platters are reachable and visible.

 

This set up is great for grab and go dining, busy family kitchens and anyone who appreciates the beauty of neatly stacked plates and orderly rows of stemware.  Open shelving also provides the opportunity to showcase kitchen and food theme collectibles.

 

However a personal observation is that accessible shelving works best in an airy and open kitchen space.  If the room is small and enclosed, it is best to keep serving and cookware pieces in contained cabinets.  Open shelving in this design plan would have the polar effect creating a cluttered and overwhelming perception.

 

Keep cooking.

xxoo.