Will this be completely open in the kitchen? If so, then what style is your kitchen?

Proportionally, it might look more visually pleasing to have the top section of shelving open, and have the bottom covered?

Take a look at using fabric shower curtains for your coverings.

no, not really, though i do not plan on having a door into it, just a doorway opening.
hard to state my style, i think it's a organically evolved space with mostly light grey/blue uppers with dark green/blue base cabs.
other cabs may not all match, for instance instead of an island i have an old walnut drafting table for a prep surface.
the range is a 36" free standing vulcan, pot sink is another free standing restuarant supply item.
no new appliances, medium dark wood floors.
i hope we'll have vaulted cathedral ceilings with dark beams, and a seperate coffee bar& handwashing station perpendicular to the fireplace.
i like a room and home to look as if it has grown naturally, adding pieces i like and which serve a certain function as the families' needs change.
hope that answers your question a bit!
i am looking at white sheers on a loose ring rod, maybe on top and bottom? or light muslin, or maybe even sliding doors to hide the food. i aim to keep a calm and restful atmosphere in there.
(lol, if you knew me you'd know just how ambitious this really is!).

How about bifold doors? I resolved a similar situation last week when I finally bought an "antique" cupboard. Before I did that I considered building a bookcase and putting doors on it. Our Habitat Restore has so many cool ones, I could have really gone nuts without spending very much money.
I'm having a hard time visualizing your arrangement. I think using sheer fabric will keep a light airy feeling but you will probably see your groceries through it. How about pillow ticking? Are you going for the 1930 to 1950 look? There are fabrics that are similar to that time period that don't cost a fortune. and you can get the real thing if you have the $$.

i've been catalog shopping all day and see that french linen towels are all the rage. that look would probably work in the pantry.
think of it this way.
the space is 11'6" across and 50" deep.
bookcases on each 50' deep wall, the cab base i intend to re-use is eight feet long, and that goes across the back 11'6" wall.
i will place my five foot carrera marble slab on top of base cabs, paint the bookcases and base cabs a very light grey/blue.(aka gustavian blue).
i don't want to see the lables and bright colours of the food, hence the need for some covering over the shelves.
i'm thinking maybe on rods both top and bottom, or maybe light door frames with the fabric stretched over them.

I wouldn't jump for the marble until you're more certain, but it sure seems like something you can try and see what you think, since it's made of pieces you have already.

I am looking forward to seeing this new kitchen plan you've been working on.

rhome, i'd love to email it to you--but didn't wish to impose.
i have an animation of it, google sketchup.
it's very neat, and i've been gazing at it for days and days!
i already own the marble too, it was a gift years ago from my fil. he had it in a restaurant of his way back when.

Very envious of that marble slab!!! What about weathered washed vintage shutters? Or inserting fine wire mesh in to a frame of some kind, making your own doors. If you were to find some windows or old cabinet door frames I think the linen would look lovely shirred in them too!

Cool brackets:

Greyish:

Wire mesh:

i like a room and home to look as if it has grown naturally, adding pieces i like and which serve a certain function as the families' needs change.

That sounds wonderful. Eclectic pieces should fit well. A lawyer's glass-front bookcase, metal filing cabinet drawers, an old armoire with shelves installed, all would be unique and interesting unfitted pantry pieces. Go for it.