I think a mixture of the two might be good. I perhaps am more with your style than the designers style. I do like the square shape vases the designer had, but I like your pink potted plant. I also like the plate in the corner and the canisters on the shelf.

I think yours feels softer and the designers feels a little sharp.

All I'm really looking at is the shelves (because I like them a lot) and I prefer your layout over the designer's.

Hers is too stark, top shelf is empty on the upper half and the right side of each has one 'tall' object. Looking at hers first, I kept thinking I'd like to see some frames or artwork - then I scrolled back and saw that's what you had done. On your bottom right I'd like to see a larger frame or some books or that nice pitcher, for height balance.

She had a nice idea that you could use some color on the counter in the corner by the sink, but laying down books near water isn't what I would choose.

Just realized that I posted an old version of my open shelves...it's gone through many iterations as I can't seem to get it quite right!!

From the designer's concept, I liked the white pitcher so kept it, and the two frames, and also the cookbooks on the left side although I decided to do two white ones instead of the coloured ones. I also think you're right about putting the clear jars on the shelves as they seem too short for the counter area.

Before Styling:

Redroze:
I have always been a huge fan of your kitchen. From the moment I saw it, it inspired me to hold tight to my dream of a white kitchen. With that said, I think that you already started out with a style sense that is wonderful.

I do like the canisters on the shelf, but don't think there's anything about your before picture with them on the counter that makes me think they are awkward. The thing about the way designers edit things is that they tend to make things look pretty, but in practical terms, it's hard to live with these ideas. So form over substance....or practicality in my opinion. When I see some designer houses I wonder where the owners would put their stuff!?

For instance I walked through a gorgeous MA bathroom the other day, but there were no drawers or medicine cabinets. So where would the owners put their stuff???? They turned one whole bedroom into a dressing room with a cosmetic vanity--but who can actually do that??

I like the spare and clean look that she created, but I just think it's not a good use of kitchen space....you are already in the "gold standard" level. Trust your gut--your home is beautiful!

I do like what she was trying to do on the shelves but still feel like it is lacking something. I think I would add some more of my cookbooks (nice ones with color that you like). I do like the square planters and I do like the canisters. I think the counter needs something too. I don't care for the plate in the corner the way she has it, it looks too squished in there. How about a book stand with a pretty cookbook somewhere with colors that you like or a picture that you like. I think that adds so much to a kitchen. I think you need to find things that make you feel good. If you like your sugar and creamers you might display them on some books. Here's a pic of how I display cookbooks I like because they make me feel good. I change them from time to time with others that I like.

I like your way better. It looks warmer/homier and like you actually use at least some of the stuff on the shelves. IMO the designer's way is too stark. I love open shelves and am hoping to incorporate some in my kitchen, but I definitely plan to put stuff on them that I will use (but pretty stuff, not Tupperware--LOL).

I love Nursetammi's suggestion about displaying a cookbook. I think that would look great instead of the glass canisters.

No matter what you do, your kitchen is beautiful!

I like the little splashes of color in the after vs. more of the white, but the books in corner near the sink I do not like. It looks nice in the photo, but I'd never leave them so close to the sink like that. So, for "staging" OK, but not practical.

I prefer your styling, especially the open shelves. It has more personality. I say keep looking for things that are your style, maybe add a little more color to the counter.
I might like someone to make suggestions, but I would not want someone to choose items for styling for me. I think personally selected items are what makes your home special, when the items are something you love or that have meaning to you.

Hi Redroze, was on the computer this morning and saw these white kitchens that have some nice pieces in their white kitchens.

All-Time Favorite White Kitchens - Photos - SouthernLiving.com
http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/white-kitchens-00400000057076/

One of my decorator friends that I love to show pictures to said "she may want to throw in a striped bowl or two, perhaps instead of the very delicate and traditional platter on the counter? If she's going all white she needs fabulous all white pieces, not little ceramic pots with tiny fake plants -- how about a huge tureen spilling over with lush ivy on one shelf?" just to give you another's opinion :)

Hi Red,

I love the way your kitchen looks, no matter what you do to it. But you asked for some feedback, and I always have an opinion!

I don't really care for the plant on the counter. I think it is too tall and looks shoved under there. I know you said you would replace it with a real plant, I think a smaller topiary rosemary would look great. Have you seen Ina Garten's kitchen on Food Network? I love the 3 that she has in hers.

Regarding that clear glass jar in the corner. Like the cool shape, but I'm not loving the emptiness of it. Can you see what lemons or limes in would look like? You might need to go (horrors) fake on those because they tend to give off moisture and cause a fogging effect. And while I'm at it, the cookbooks (I think) that are under it--I think you need chunkier ones--Julia Child or some other big classic cookbook or two.

I like the towel on the counter rather than on the oven, perhaps you could use a brighter color, maybe a pink, like in your pillow, or green if you try the lemons or limes?

Have you tried a really large cylinder vase with big branches for the counter? I think your space is so big that it could easily handle it. After I mentioned the Ina Garten plant thing, I google imaged "ina garten's kitchen", and saw some amazing photos. This is what I'm talking about regarding the vase, obviously, you could tone it down.

In my kitchen, I started out with only white, clear, or silver accessories could be brought in. Now, I'm branching out and adding in the lavender and green that is found elsewhere in the house. (My lavender hydrangeas from the garden look incredible).

I have feeling you like pinks by the flowers, pillows, and flowers on the china. If so, can you get some fancy pink lemonade bottles, ones with fabulous tops to display on the counter, maybe on a tray? I love the green Pellegrino bottles on my counter. I am so reluctant to drink them, but then I realized that I can drink them and just fill with plain water and put them back on display!

Isn't it fun to put this stuff in the kitchen? You have such a great eye, it's hard to believe you are consulting with a designer! Hope you are doing well, maybe all the pink is a hint of things to come?????

Here is a link that might be useful: ina's kitchen with big vase

Input from a philistine...I don't think I understand white kitchens properly...

As you look down the length of the house from living room, you see a lot of white and neutrals at the top of the view. How about something with a dark note on the upper shelves, perhaps of the same tone as the wood on the island and the dark in the countertop? Or something shiny--perhaps silver or other metal to pick up on the metal of the light fixtures?

Are your drapes of a beige or otherwise not-white color? Can you gather a companionable fabric in the lower part of the glassfront cupboard and in the short window? This would add texture and symmetry in the middle of the wall when looking down that long view.

Also, if there were a short plant stand designed and painted to match the full column and placed on the right between the two rooms, a big happy green plant could stand there--transitioning the eye to the back of the view.

Am just doing stream of consciousness here... am unclear as to what is your accent color.

I much prefer it your way. The designer's arrangement, in my opinion, loses all the romance and charm, and it really adds nothing new or interesting. I have always loved your neutrals with a splash of pink here and there. Yours is personal and original, while the designer's is standard fare. Perhaps if you were staging your house for resale, the designer's look might have a wider appeal to the cookie-cutter, non-TKO people out there, but for you and your family, please keep the version that showcases your personality!

Only a designer would use books as a pedestal NEXT TO A SINK! If there is some splashing onto the counter, that red book on the bottom will get wet and stain the counter.

I don't like the emptiness of the shelves by the designer. They look too sparse and cold...Like you didn't have enough stuff to fill them properly yet. I find it a little funny that she emptied the shelves and cluttered up the counters a little more.

I'm not one for decorative counter clutter. Why do I want to move and dust 'pretties' that are in my work space? I'd think having the shelves should save me from using the counter for things like that. I prefer 'functional counter clutter'...Like a fruit bowl or cookie jar...and your glass canisters. They can be carefully set and arranged, but still DO something to earn the spot.

I have the same concern as Florantha about the long view from the living/family room...the kitchen still looks empty from a distance, but maybe because of the blurring? I bet you see more of the detail in person.

All in all, I think the styling and decorating of a room should be the place to really reflect the personality and individual quirkiness of the person who lives there...A designer's choices can't do that like your own chosen pieces. I'd prefer if she said things like, "You need some larger items mixed here, a more colorful piece over there..." and then you chose the actual items to suit the needs.

Wow... this is really a personal choice so my input reflects my taste and not based on any particular design knowledge.
I like the bottom shelf from the designer. That could be cause I'm a "declutter" person. I wouldn't want things stacked. I think it loses the impact that way. Now if the shelves were intended for dish storage, that would be different but you asked more in terms of staging. Definitely prefer your canister with utensils next to the stove. It makes sense and is functional! I love the idea of nursetammi's cookbooks in the corners instead of the plants. Hmmm.... I think the small bowls the designer put on the top shelf don't look right... maybe too small. Maybe the one platter with some color on it that you show on the counter and pick up some of the color in it with some accent pieces?

Really, your kitchen is so beautiful. No matter what you do it will continue to look stunning.

I just thought of something, weren't you looking at adding a silver platter behind the range awhile ago? In the far picture, I can just picture one there, perhaps that would eliminate the "empty" feeling some are commenting on.

just a thought....

I totally agree with Bee..I think a silver platter would be perfect behind the stove (here is one, its only $1850.00 lol, we need to go bargain shopping) and putting back your utensils to the right of the stove where you originally had it would help balance it off and be functional at the same time. I think the platter should be elevated somewhat too. If you look back at my cookbooks one of the stands elevates the book and one doesn't. I think the platter might look better off the counter if you can find something like that.

I just noticed the large pieces you have in your glass cabinets on the right side. They might look nice on the shelves and give you more cabinet space. They look to be a good size for the shelves (maybe one might look good instead of the smaller bowls on the top shelf). Your kitchen is beautiful, I just love decorating everyone else's kitchens. When I go to my sister's house and they leave me alone I am always moving things around as I do in my house until we get it right.

I am going to be brutally honest and get really flamed.
I think both are blah. I will tell you why.
The open shelves should reflect who you are as a person. If you are someone that cooks and entertains alot, they should be filled with dishes that you love and use regularly. Go and collect dishes that really say these are who you are! Another way of filling them is to fill them with absolutely beautiful and personal stuff. Right now, it looks like a store selling thse stuff. The stuff the decorator picked look trendy without personality.
sorry....

Only regarding the open shelves, I like the styled look better. That's strictly because I favour a very clean and uncluttered look. My eye is moving too many places on the unstyled shelves.

Having said that, I bookmarked your kitchen ages ago because it's so freaking gorgeous!

Wow, great tips everyone!!! I agree - that space above the cooktop just needs something. A silver platter is something we've been on the hunt for forever - one that's not over 1 grand (which is actually the cost of a nice one I found!)I'm going to rejig things a bit with all of your advice, and post photos when I'm done.

I also really, really like the idea of a cookbook stand nursetammi!! I think I'll put it in the corner to the left of the sink to add a bit of colour. That corner area doesn't actually get very wet since our dishwasher is to the left of the sink, and it's hard to tell in the photo but the corner is pretty deep. Or I may do the cookbook where the platter is, and do the platter in the corner but the sink.

I'll keep the glass canisters on the bottom shelf.

Ina's kitchen is awesome Bee!! I think I'll do a rosemary topiary or some other herb (I don't love the smell of rosemary). And the large cylinder vase - i have one of those, just need some branches. Too bad I didn't cut our flowering cherry tree branches sooner cuz now they have cherries. Pink lemonade bottles are a great idea!! Yes, I love pink but it's not a sign of things to come - WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! So, you need all the pink you can get in that kitchen then to balance things out!

My "baby boy" just graduated from high school last night. No more kids in high school--but now 3 in college. cha-ching.

Keep posting pictures as you change things around. It's fun to see.

Thanks rhome and Bee! I guess they'll always be our babies no matter what their age! I'm eating hot tamales right now and he's kicking like crazy!!

I meant to write that our dishwasher is to the right of the sink...so not much splashing to the left.

I should say that the designer sourced some cute stuff for us that we did end up keeping. Again, not my cup of tea for future as I prefer picking out my own stuff. But I can see how it would be useful especially for busy people.