I’m going to let you in on a little secret–I suck at accessorizing. I think this stems from my aversion to clutter and knick-knacks, but I always have a very difficult time finding decorative items I like that serve virtually no purpose at all other than to look good. This is why for wall art I gravitate toward oversized items like the big wall clock in our living room and the large iron scroll in the dining room. I’d much rather have one large item filling up a space than several smaller items.
Which leads me to my arch nemesis–open shelving. Now I love my kitchen–don’t get me wrong–but its open shelving has been the bane of my existence since we moved in. Horror of all horrors there was just no way I could put knick-knacks in the open shelving at the end of the island. Cookbooks was another helpful idea, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that either. What we needed was something functional, so I decided the perfect solution for us was to do baskets. The island is the hot “drop-spot” in our home so baskets would be great as a storage spot for miscellaneous items on layover to their final destination.
I am not even kidding you when I tell you it took me over a year to find baskets for this space. Every time I was out shopping I checked out the basket and bin selections, but I was never able to find something that a) fit the measurements and b) looked good. I was ready to pull out my hair and board up the end of the island when one morning I entered Target, and a light shined down from the heavens onto aisle C22. Could it really be? Wide-eyed, I touched the beautiful baskets in front of me, making sure they were real. And GASP! They actually matched! In what surely looked like a manic rage I grabbed 6 baskets, paid with shaking hands, and raced home. Holding my breath as I slid them into place, I stepped back and the miracle was complete. They fit!! Mission accomplished and visit to the insane asylum averted. Whew!
Now of course in my kitchen there has to be more than one area with open shelving, right? Heaven forbid the builders leave the end of the upper cabinets unadorned.
In my quest for making this space at least partially functional I decided the bottom shelf would be for napkins. Candles are easy, so I phoned it in and put them on the middle shelf until I found something more inspiring. Eventually I found a footed wooden bowl that I didn’t hate (and could potentially serve a function) for the top shelf.
Inspiration for the middle shelf came one day in the form of a Chiasso catalog. Flipping through the pages I came across these beautiful Jonathon Adler striped vases. Love them!
So for now, Operation Open Shelving is complete. I win.
And don’t even get me started on the upper corner cupboard with the glass door. At this point I’m in denial that it even exists. I just pretend the glass is an invisible shield preventing you from seeing what’s inside. My fragile mental health can’t handle seeing the real thing yet…
Related Posts:
Finishing Up The Kitchen
My Spice Cupboard
64 Throw Pillows & Only 1 Living Room
It’s All About the First Impression
You crack me up! Can’t wait to see what you write about next
{Makena}
Nice work D!! As expected! If it makes you feel better we are STILL looking for a mirror to go in our bathroom!
I love the baskets! Such a great idea. I also perused your kitchen section and found the spice rack/door. How clever you are to come up with the magnetic paint (never heard of this) and attaching the spice jars like that. I’m in the midst of designing a brand new kitchen and really need a good place for spices that isn’t on the countertop. Thanks!