Hmmm...did some searching on Google and found some interesting ideas. I think the idea is to group lots of similar objects together, but you don't have to restrict yourself to having ALL the same type of things (colour, type) on the shelves. It gives it a more eclectic look.

For this one, they put frames behind to give some vertical impact. I like this idea. I also like the idea of doing a bunch of teacups and saucers as they're not very big.

Here I am, talking to myself again! Haha.

Are these not to-die-for??? I've never been into china, but heck, I have open shelves that are just screaming for something pretty and vintage. I can mix them up with some plain white pieces so it doesn't look too busy or mishmashy.

{{!gwi}}

If not teacups, how about teapots to get more color and visual interest because of the various shapes and their size. You could stack some pretty tea tins in between.

Your shelves are really lovely. I agree with Moton's idea to collect what you love over time... I wish I could do shelves like that but my kitchen is so small. I have a really nice, very old baker's rack at the far end of my kitchen where I keep glass bottles and jars I have collected over time from antique stores, travels, etc. I decided to use this in a way that would be both attractive to the eye and functional for a small kitchen.

I use the glass jars and bottles for candy, cookies, dried fruits, extra tea bags, various baking supplies like bittersweet chocolate, brown sugar, etc... The glass pieces are interesting and the contents are colorful! You wouldn't believe how nice a simple glass jar full of marshmallows or tea bags can look! When a gang of 15 came for Thanksgiving, I gave the rack that old-time candy store feel.

You can be so creative and really have fun with your shelves, especially if you don't "need" the space. For me, I never run out of things to throw into a nice glass jar. Right now while heavily baking for the holidays I have several jars filled with different nuts and another shelf is holding pretty tins with the baked goods in them ready for gifting.

A friend of mine has open shelving like yours and she collects antique canister sets. She keeps several sets on the shelves and puts all kinds of stuff in them (with labels on the bottoms so she knows what's what!). It's a gorgeous collection.

I don't think you need to stay kitchen-y though... if there is something you love, you'll make it work, just like you did with your beautiful kitchen! :)

I also agree with Morton's idea of using something you already have there and not just rushing out to collect something. You may find you love antique and vintage tea pots. A home I was at recently had the most beautiful collection of soup tureens decorating her kitchen. Fiesta ware ball pitchers are colorful and fun. The possibilities are just endless!!

Hmmm...good point Morton. I have collected a bunch of small, vintage-style frames. I could use a few of those. We've been to a couple of antique shops and I've noticed the odd teacup and saucer here and there. My in-laws are downsizing next year, but I haven't seen anything that I like of theirs (good taste, not mine). My parents are an option, they have WAY too much stuff!!

Mbarstow, I really like the tea tin idea!! I'm a big tea drinker so it's not like it wouldn't be too themey, it would be practical and personal.

Minette - I like the glass jar idea! Why didn't I think of that? This is a fantastic idea.

You're right about the personal aspect. SO right. I have a couple of personal things that I wouldn't mind putting up there. One is a glass bird that my best friend in grade 1 plucked from her mom's china cabinet and gave to me. I was shocked that she gave it to me, asked her over and over again if she was sure, she said yes, it's yours, and it was the most beautiful and substantial thing I had ever been given. She was one of the best friends I've ever had...then her family moved away. I'd like to get in touch with her again.

You could put a few pretty cookbooks upright with the cover facing outward with the book open slightly to keep it propped up (does that make sense) and stack some pretty kitchen linens or something else with some texture for the time being until you figure out what you will want to have there in the future.

Pretty space!

Redroze, your kitchen style is less vintage than mine, and you seem to have more space for storage. The shelves could be used for loved (but not used) items. Nonetheless, I like mbarstow's & minette suggestions to use the space for something you use and love. That's what I am doing. If the items are used often, the shelves will stay clean.

Agree with collecting special items over time--the hunt is half the fun! I am somewhat of a collector (LOL) and will have certain shelves/areas, designated to display some of them--vintage spice and canister sets, watts ware, coffee mills and tins, ice cream stuff, old scales, old utensils . . . (did I tell you I was a "collector"?). Good luck and enjoy the hunt!

I'd stand there for a bit and get a feel for what I really want to grab without having to open a cabinet.

Then I LOVE having everything in flip-top glass jars, personally. You might want to consider the tins though, since you may often have wet hands at the sink, and the granite/glass combination ... bad. But there are loads of really pretty painted tins out there. Or I think I saw some nice stainless ones.

So, some tins, some pictures, some objects that have meaning to you, maybe a plant, if there's enough light. Now you have an arrangement of things you use and love and have meaning to you; a living, changing thing, not a sterile, static tableaux.

I was eyeing your open shelves in a previous thread. I plan on doing lots of open shelving and was glad to see yours, esp coming out from a corner, I've been trying to visualize what that might look like. So, thanks.

I plan on using mine for dishes and drinking glasses that we use every day and another open set for spices and cooking supplies and another set for my vintage Corning and Pyrex collection which we do use every day. I'm in a cabin and want a more rustic look though, not sure what your decor is. Have you seen Martha Stewart's kitchen in her show? she has all open upper cabinets, it's all for show but it's nicely done, i think it's a bowl collection of some sort.
Love your kitchen
Katy

How can you go wrong with pictures of the family? I just made some gigantic bookshelves for our dining room.living room wall, knowing full well that I'd be donating two or three to pictures. So... I made them 7' high by 8'. hehe

Love the ideas...love all of them. I have a ton of ideas now...especially love the tins, photo frames, jars, etc.Thanks everyone!!