I am generally not a fan of clutter, but our cabs definitely needed some finishing touches, or accessories up top. There's a lot of empty space with our vaulted ceiling.

Perhaps consider adding simple white china or pottery from a shop like Crate & Barrel above your cabinets?

Maybe a large white platter on a stand -- plus a couple of different-sized water/milk jugs/creamers?

Or -- if you can get to the wall -- maybe add a couple of modern artworks -- without frames?

Or -- simply add a large piece of driftwood?

Or -- a row of baskets or boxes to be used for storage -- maybe out-of-season items?

My daughter gave me the brown dish on the left to replace my favorite dip-dish which she had broken, and the platter on the right, she carried on the plane all the way back from her trip to Mexico a few years ago. They're both too large to fit in my cabinets,so, up on top they go!

Cat-mom I love your purple? bowl. How did you get the blue one to stand up like that?

Teacats just too funny I had been thinking about a big piece of driftwood as I would love to get a set of blue herons(they are out though the ones I like are over $400) and paint them white for the one corner but thought it might be too much of a clash with my polished aluminum plate.

Sandy love your mexico plate I might just have to look for something like that when I go in Feb. Your plate holders are awesome love the curl do you mind telling me where you got them?

I found the plate holders at Michaels Crafts....once in a while I get lucky and actually find what I need there, lol ! They also came with screws to hang them on the wall too, but I liked them better just standing on their own.

have you considered artwork like in this gorgeous kitchen by bobby mcalpine - a series of prints would work best - perhaps of a favorite place, hobby, animal...

Here is a link that might be useful: Art Above Kitchen Cabinets

Thanks! The purple bowl, blue dish/bowl, and yellow vases all came from HomeGoods! The purple bowl could be bigger, but we loved the color and shape so we made it work (it's sitting on an empty Frog Tape container!).

The blue plate/bowl is resting on a clear lucite plate stand (from Michaels or AC Moore, I forget which). You can't see the stand from down below.

Sandy thanks we have a Micheals I will check them out.

Cat mom - I wish we had a HomeGoods I have never heard of that store ( I don't think they are in Canada) Clear stand perfect. You definitely can't see it that is why I asked LOL

Design Wotcha - I can barely see the art work the kitchen is so busy but I get the idea. I don't think it will work though with the vaulted ceiling on one side. I think I need height variation. Thanks for the pic though.

CLBlakey~
In Canada Home Goods is known as Home Sense.
They have many Home Sense stores in Canada.
I was just at a Home Goods store yesterday and they had a TON
of beautiful glass bowls and such ..
Must have bought up the manufactures whole supply.
All beautiful~

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.homesense.ca/en/locator.asp

Thanks ForBoysToo I looked it up but the nearest one is a 5hour drive :(

Still would like to see more pics of what others have done above their cupboards.

CLblakey - there was a post on this not too long ago. I have it linked below. There are some pictures there. I think there was another thread a month or so earlier then the one listed below too. A search of GW might find you some more pictures/discussion on the topic.

Here is a link that might be useful: Top of cabinets

This is above my kit cabs. however more like a plant shelf/bridge on one side and a huge Niche' on the other side, the pic. below is facing the greatroom/LR side.

boopadaboo- Thanks for the link I did try a search but came up empty tried the wrong words I guess. I have done a google search for images and have seen lots but like the more personal approach so I can ask questions too.

SusieQ I thought I had a lot of space to decorate. Is that the last supper I see??

No, you are seeing this oil painting, my late father was an artist, and you have no idea how many bridges/plant shelves/ niches I have in my home, the answer would be soooo many!

How appropriate to have food in the kitchen. It is so nice to have artwork from loved ones who have passed nice to have the reminders around.

your "soooo many" is kind of scary all that dusting I am kind of lazy when it comes to dusting but they look so nice when you have stuff up there.

In Arizona they're called "Pot Shelves"! :)

I'm still working on mine, but here's what I have right now. I just bought the pitchers, so I'm still playing around with where I want them. I also need to get something to set them on, so they're taller.

Since these photos I've since rearranged and eliminated all the stuff you see around my "kitchen god", the dinosaur cookie jar, who's just there for smiles. My antique Chinese cooking pot I can't part with. I'm not a "collector", and I'd like to go to a more contemporary look, which seems like what your kitchen requires. How about a row of plates or vases that are very closely related in color or shape? Good luck! Do be sure your above-cab things are large enough to not get lost in your space.

When I wrote the above, CLBlakey, I remembered your cabs but forgot you already have closely related vases and plates. I notice nobody has piles of stuff all in one place like I do. I'll try setting my pieces separately; there's so much to learn from everyone here. My kitchen god needs room to breathe anyway.

Sandesurf- They say you learn something every day this is my thing pot shelves I suppose it is where you can put the pots that are too big for your cupboards but I like what you have up there so much better.

Msrose- love the white theme you have going so relaxing to the eye.

Susanka- really I am starting from scratch I used to have vases and birdhouses it looked a bit country with the oak cupboards. But now I have stark white cupboards with med dark grey walls. I think my problem lies in trying to mix styles (Contemporary/Seaside/Glam) am not good at that. I love the plates and water jug vignette you have.

I have vaulted ceilings and currently standard height upper cabinets. (Still saving for a remodel.) I put empty wine bottles (with pretty labels) and some vases filled with natural things like stones above my cabinets. I have mixed feelings and have considered taking them down. Sorry I don't have pictures. For a while I thought it added a lot, but now I wonder if they're just clutter/dust collectors. Perhaps it would be different if I had pretty cabinets.

Pricklypear - I so understand the dust clutter thing I am trying hard not to put up too much but don't like it naked either.

I guess I need to go garage sale shopping on the weekend to see what I can find.

Such pretty kitchens! All different styles and they're all pretty!

I don't have display space above my cupboards, but I was at a yard sale last week and saw a very long tray, maybe 4 feet x 10 inches, with a flat bottom and relief/carving on the slanted sides. Something large and striking like that, displayed on its side, could be a nice choice.

I hate, hate dusting. Always have. Luckily I only have to clean the stuff on top of the cabs (and our ceiling fan) every few months, or a few times a year. When the "shoulders" on the blue bottles on top of the fridge cabinet start to look dusty, I know it's time to clean up there, if I haven't already decided its time before I notice it. I'm pretty good at stayinopen top of checking out the (visible) dust situation.

DH brings the 6' ladder up from the garage for me when I need to clean, and while its upstairs, I clean all the colored glass items on top of the cabs and the range hood chimney (the hood itself I can reach with my little step ladder, I clean that every week or two), and I'll clean the ceiling fan, then, too.

I wouldn't want more stuff on top of the cabs, for aesthetic reasons (uncluttered look), and to save me from having even more stuff to clean!

"stayinopen"--s/b "staying on top of" (have no idea what my iPad was trying to spell!).

Lazydaisy - That tray sounds really neat.

Catmom - I have been trying to think of a way to reduce the amount of work in dusting and have come up with a plan I am going to try fabric on the top of cupboards before I put up stuff then at least I won't have to scrub them each time I dust just into the wash an poof clean. I have tried wax paper and then just tossing but that can add up (I know I am cheap LOL) The silk plants go into the top rack of the dishwasher - I like to cheat and like you I don't like too much stuff just enough that it looks complete.

Hubby says he will drill the holes in the cupboard doors tonight for new handles I could have an after pic by Friday.

CL, each of those plates has a big chip in it -- I thought it a pretty good use for otherwise unusable stoneware. But now I too am reconsidering the whole thing. Please keep us posted on your progress -- I need help too!