While our style is certainly modern, we’re not crazy about uber minimalistic kitchens that look like they’ve never been used. To us, there is a balance between simplicity and the use of light, color, texture and layers to make a space feel comfortable and inviting. For the kitchen, I have always been drawn to the idea of selective open shelving. But I’m also hesitant. How will it stay looking nice? Will those pretty exposed dishes become a victim of dust, food splatter, or worse…dog hair? (You’d be surprised where it drifts to.) Swayed by caution and the ease of adding a couple extra IKEA units to our list, our previous kitchen iteration showed a bank of mostly white-doored upper cabinets. But then, a few weeks ago on our lighting furniture shopping adventure, we stopped in the Henrybuilt showroom. Just to look. Just to drool. Just to change my mind that indeed open shelving is worth the risk.
What do you think? We actually have a solid collection of white dishes and simple glasses that I wouldn’t mind showing off…and a colored back panel would really give a nice punch. Of course, this adds two more pieces to the “to build” list but we think it will be worth it. We also nixed the mustard yellow [for now] and changed the countertop color to something more neutral to represent the fact that we haven’t really decided on anything yet. We’re also still debating whether or not to extend the backsplash up the wall on the range side. [This is when the push/pull command in sketchup comes in handy. Up? Down? Up? Down.]
In other news, we decided that our big-bowl-little-bowl sink that we bought on clearance a few years ago will be going the way of Craigslist. We just don’t see a use for the small sink part (since we won’t have a garbage disposal) and would prefer one single basin. We’ve also had a few discussions about faucets, but have yet to do any real shopping.
And it’s already February! One more month of planning and prepping and then it’s d-day!
we have open shelving in our kitchen. i have 2 shelves that i use for everday dishes and those items are fine – they do not get dusty because the top dish is usually only there for a day or two before it gets used and washed. we have 2 goldens and 2 cats so i understand the fur drift concern. we have 2 longer shelves that are used for cookbooks, wine glasses, and a few other kitchen supplies. those things do get dusty because they are not used as often. it’s not horrible though, if i know we’re having people over i just make sure to wash the wine glasses first. when we renovate our kitchen for real, i will probably keep some open shelving for everday dishes and cookbooks. so i say go for it!
Thanks for the feedback Katie. That’s a good point about using open shelving for frequently used items. I think I’m officially convinced now! =)
Hey ya’ll, in case you missed it, apt. therapy posted a link to this kitchen,
http://www.thedesignfiles.net/2010/03/daylesford-home-jessie-fairweather.html
which brought to mind your sketchup plan. Thought it might be fun for you to see, it has many of the same elements and colors.
But i’d like to point out the dishwasher placement, they might be on to something w/ it on the left of the sink, in ya’lls layout you might have some door bump issues. Just something to think about. When we cook, my fella spends all his time at the stove, while i move around prepping and cleaning as i go, i.e. i open and close the dishwasher A LOT, which is snug in our galley, but in your layout in think i’d be hitting him in the butt constantly.
Anyhow, my 2 cents, ya’ll might cleanup only after the meal and would prefer the dishwasher a couple steps closer to your lovely open shelves 🙂
brandy
Hi Brandy,
I saw this kitchen too! It definitely had me thinking about countertop colors again…
That’s a good point about the dishwasher placement. Unfortunately, we’ve already installed the windows on that wall so moving things around might put the sink in front of a mullion which wouldn’t work. But I’m definitely going to give it some thought. I guess I’m just used to putting the dishwasher to the right of the sink but I’m actually left-handed so there is additional logic in flipping it!
Brandy,
We’ve been discussing the door bump issue over breakfast this morning and are going to make the change, moving the dishwasher to the left. Thanks so much for your thoughtful commment.