Friends, readers, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the patience you’ve shown over the last year. Between taking what felt like months off between posts while losing Daddy and adjusting to life without him, then disapearing a few weeks ago to deal with the death of our pup, then suddenly losing my mom, I know I haven’t stayed remotely consistent. Yet, every day, I log in and see that you’ve been here. You’ve been reading, you’ve been pinning, and you keep the blog alive- I can’t thank you enough for staying with me. Thank you.
I had the pleasure of showing a house today that boasted a line of open shelving in the kitchen. A sweet little 1950’s ranch, with only 1,200 square feet above ground, the owners had removed the wall between the living room and kitchen, tore out a too-obtrusive built-in eating area, and made this could-have-been-cramped-if-there-was-company home into an open, airy, easy-to-entertain-in space.
I’ve always loved the notion of open shelving, and it’s an idea that’s always been around; built-in china cabinets, rounded nooks in hallways… It seems that designers have been using display shelving throughout our lives without us taking too much notice, then, all of a sudden, someone had the idea to remove the doors to their kitchen cabinets, and the trend took off.
** original source unknown **
** from diy in pdx **
** Kristin Cadwallader **
** Martha Stewart’s coffee bar **
With resources such as The Home Edit, and almost-consistently styled shelves of Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel catalogs, we as consumers (as well as lovers of houses) have inspiration at our fingertips. Add in art, cookbooks, potted plants… whatever makes you happy. The purpose of open shelving is to see the beautiful things we own; our grandmother’s teapot, monogrammed salad plates. There’s no limit to your imagination.
** Williams-Sonoma **
** Williams-Sonoma **
I realize that having such a well-curated kitchen isn’t always the best option, especially if you- like me- would lose your mind to see a soup bowl missing, or could easily spot the chipped edge on your Le Cruset (it makes me CRAZY), but a singular shelf, or area of shelves to display barware, a funky collection of casserole dishes, or your copper pots would be easy to maintain, as it would be rarely mussed.
** The Bayou Party Barn, Garden & Gun **
As for my clients? If they move forward with this home, the wife says she’d “need prettier dishes.” I’m excited at the thought!
