KITCHEN
A decorative tray. A decorator essential with good reason, a great tray can be used to make just about anything into an attractive vignette. Use one to corral books topped with sculptural objects, collect mail by the front door or as a bar area. Or place one atop an ottoman to make it function as a coffee table.
A chest of drawers. A small dresser can do much more than hold clothes — it can also work as a capacious bedside table, an entryway organizer, a dining room buffet or extra storage in the living room. What to look for: Seek a solid wood version for the most longevity. Vintage furniture stores can be a great place to find a high-quality piece for less than you would spend on something of similar quality new.
Start by removing any lids that don’t have mates, then count what you have left. Most of us probably have too many food storage containers — really, how many leftovers are you likely to wrap up at any given time? Three? Four?
The pantry. Containers are a problem in the pantry — they look messy, and the jumble of sizes and shapes makes it hard to find things. Decanting the things you buy constantly into airtight containers is definitely something a highly organized person would do. Don’t, however, fall into the slightly less organized person’s trap of buying all of those special containers, decanting everything into them one time and then continuing to buy regular packages and shoving them in on top of the pretty ones, which then tumble over, completely ignored and neglected. I suggest starting instead by making it a routine to go through the pantry every time you go to the market. Consolidate containers, clear out old stuff and wipe down the shelves. Add a few nice wire baskets if you want to corral wayward boxed goods. And if you do want to upgrade to pretty matching containers, remember to label their contents.
The utensil drawer. We all have that one main kitchen drawer that houses utensils — no problem there. But it isn’t just utensils, it it? It also likely holds a random assortment of cooking tools, cookie cutters, various thermometers, broken chopsticks and a few stray rubber bands … at least mine does. The problem here, I think, is that the utensils don’t quite fill the drawer completely, which leaves ample room for marauders like leftover skewers from the barbecue last July. I suggest we start thinking of this drawer as the kitchen workhorse drawer: Let it contain your everyday flatware, plus any other small tools you reach for constantly (measuring cups and spoons, an extra timer), and that’s it.
The junk drawer. Let’s begin by not calling this the junk drawer — call it the “really useful stuff” drawer instead. Batteries, scissors, stamps … this is stuff you need! No actual junk belongs in there. If there is any junk, get it out. If it’s still crammed too full, you probably have some not-so-useful stuff in there, like old birthday cards and that dead cell phone you’ve been meaning to take to the e-waste center. Get that out, too. Now add neat little dividers and give yourself a great big pat on the back.
There’s no rule that says you have to limit your collecting to accessories. This assemblage of black chairs is a lovely example of collecting items that you will use and enjoy every day
Sometimes it makes sense to stock up. If you entertain frequently, it can be more cost effective, and less wasteful, to make a one-time investment in a large set of basic dishes and glassware. Otherwise, you’ll end up either using paper goods or renting every time, which can be a hassle.
But there’s no need to stock up on things that don’t fit your life. Be realistic about what you use and skip the rest.
Aim to have enough but no more. Having the right tools to get the job done properly is essential to any task, from cooking to woodworking. Have on hand what you need for the jobs you do regularly but no more — if you bake every week, it makes sense to have plenty of sheet pans, muffin tins, mixing bowls and all of the rest. If you find yourself in need of a specialty item that you likely will never use again, see if you can rent or borrow before buying your own.
8. Clear your kitchen counters. I did this recently and put back only my coffeemaker, toaster oven, a small table lamp for ambience and a favorite folk art wooden cow. Everyone who comes over remarks on how clean my kitchen looks (it’s really not all that clean, proving this is a great trick). Coffee grinders, espresso makers, spices, olive oil, cookbooks, toasters, tchotchkes … while you’re at it, take a look at how many hanging dish towels you have. Take everything out of the room and reassess. Perhaps you’ll create a more organized coffee station, with all the fixings in the cabinet overhead. Maybe you have been buying ground coffee lately and the grinder is just cluttering up the space. Perhaps you’ll find a place near the range to tuck all of your spices. Maybe you have a lucky rooster who needs a more prominent spot.
9. Mix up your kitchen table or dining room chairs. Gather every chair that’s comfortable for dining in your home and experiment. For a rectangular table, give host and hostess chairs a try. You may want to alternate two different styles or have a completely nonmatching group.
A kitchen that receives eastern light will have a soft, sunny glow at breakfast but will need some help to be a positive family gathering spot in the late afternoon when dinner is being prepared. A light wall color that has a yellow or an orange tinge can give the room a sunlit glow at the end of the day. Acknowledging the pluses and minuses of the room’s light conditions will help you narrow down your color choices.
Jeanne Finnerty Interior Design SaveEmail Look at the materials in the room. How light bounces off walls, countertops and floors is another condition to note before making color selections. If a black honed-granite countertop is draining light from your kitchen, the walls and floor will need to be pressed into service to amplify the sunlight. You might choose a warm yellow floor to step in for the sunlight being extracted from the room. Light-colored cabinets also can send natural light where you need it.
Speed-Dial Color Selection to Get the Best Result
“While this kitchen has a work triangle, it also has work zones,” Stephens says. “One person can be working at the range while the other works at the dishwasher-sink or the baking station.”
8. Only in France would you find something this authentically charismatic. The raw stone floors, trough-style sink, worn tile backsplash and distressed dining table and chairs could have all been expertly reproduced — but it’s doubtful.
12. There’s a lot to love about this Alabama kitchen — the worn and raw ceiling beams, the quaint sitting area, the rich and dark wood island, and the voluminous space for getting things done.
13. It’s hard to imagine not being comfortable in this New Hampshire kitchen. A lot of the relaxing vibe comes from custom color choices. The pale green cabinet color is close to Weekend Getaway, while the light cream color resembles Man on the Moon, both by Benjamin Moore.
14. A thin brick tile floor in this Pennsylvania kitchen supports cabinetry painted with cream and red milk paint from Real Milk Paint.
15. The soothing, sun-dappled colors and open space make this English kitchen a winner. Plus, that plate rack over the sink is so convenient.
2. Storage, Style and Efficiency in San Francisco This couple wanted to create a more efficient space where they could enjoy daily meals, relax and feel a connection with their backyard. Cool feature: The Calacatta-marble-topped island includes lots of built-in designated storage, including a crafts drawer for the kids and a pullout cabinet for a large mixer and a food processor. Location: Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
3. A Dark Kitchen Brightens Up Walnut wood for the shelves, trimwork and island countertop warm this otherwise all-white space. Cool feature: The remains of an old brick fireplace became a niche for wine storage.
4. Broken China Makes a Splash in This Kitchen Looking to add charm, this homeowner and her designer painted the walls red with orange and pink undertones. Cool feature: After discovering a broken plate while unpacking china for possible display, the designer created a mosaic backsplash from the shattered pieces.
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6. High Function and a Little Secret in Missouri Smart storage maximizes function in this modest cottage kitchen. Cool feature: Pantry cabinets slide away to reveal a hidden fort under the stairs. Location: Springfield, Missouri Size: About 15 feet by 15 feet (21 square meters)
8. Pushing Boundaries in a San Francisco Victorian Playful color and scale create a modern interpretation of a turn-of-the-20th-century kitchen. Cool feature: Extensive Shaker-style cabinets painted Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue add big personality to the narrow space.
Eliminating upper cabinets doesn’t have to mean cutting back on storage, however. Open shelving can be used to conveniently store those items that are used most, while also giving the room more visual depth. In this example the tile backsplash continues behind the shelves, up to the ceiling. This simple move provides a dramatic focal point and makes the room feel taller too. Tell us: Share your trick for getting the most enjoyment and productivity from your square footage in the Comments!
Mix traditional and retro. Playful design is often about an unexpected juxtaposition. Disco balls are not, of course, authentic decor for a medieval priory with a beamed ceiling, but quirky finishing touches like this will set your home apart. When you’re tired of them, just take them down.
3. It might be tight, but there’s no chance of getting claustrophobic in this Cincinnati galley kitchen. There’s just too good of a vibe going on. The raw-brick wall, red trim paint and reddish stained floor (laid diagonally to give the appearance of more space) all contribute to its welcoming feeling.
Get creative with chalkboard paint. This medium's popularity has exploded in the past few years; I see chalkboard most often in the kitchen. Refrigerators, islands, menu boards, cabinetry ... you name it, and someone has chalkboard-painted it and then chalked a grocery list, schedule or favorite quotation on it.
Get rid of limiting ideas about what’s allowed to go where. If you pay bills at the dining table, move your serveware to the kitchen and use your credenza to hide a basket with all your check-writing essentials. Maybe the sideboard shown here is stocked with wedding china, or maybe it’s full of office supplies. Either way, it looks fantastic.
Instead of being angry with yourself for not using your office properly or forcing yourself to work in a place where you don’t feel productive, embrace your habits. Set up an area in your kitchen that has room for the things you need while you work. By giving them a home, you’ll automatically taken care of the work-cluttered desk, and now you can use your former home office as a media room, storage space or whatever-the-heck-you-want room.
PLATE RACK, LAMPS
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