In the Kitchen

Story & photos by Lisa Marie Blair

There are infinite ways to add charm and personality to your kitchen. Start by asking yourself these questions. What functional pieces serve your daily needs? What interests you and pleases your eye? We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, so it makes sense to enjoy the space we are in. Reach into what you have in your cupboards and pantry, and start getting creative. You can take your kitchen and spice it up considerably by just switching and swapping a few items.

Once you decide on the kind of theme you want in your kitchen, start by creating a vignette to showcase your style. Begin with a focal point, and then layer in all the other pieces. Different textures will add interest and depth to your kitchen. Scandinavian, Traditional and Farmhouse are three very different styles featured here that dramatically change the feel in this small kitchen.

An art enthusiast can display smaller pieces of work against the backsplash. Layering is always a great idea and artwork always looks lovely when paired with a coordinating piece. Displaying other kitchen wares like a spoon rest, butter dish, or pitcher will be both functional and beautiful. The list really is endless and provides a great way to showcase your favorite kitchen necessities and accessories. A culinary aficionado should display the items they love and use the most. Multiple wood cutting boards leaning against the backsplash will be conveniently located and ready to use. Cookbooks, cake stands, and a utensil holder full of task tools can be both pretty and practical. Flour and sugar canisters need not be hidden away as they can also be attractively displayed. A classy ring holder next to the sink can save you the ordeal of having your jewelry go down the drain.

A coffee lover will want everything they need to be readily accessible to feed their love for caffeine quickly. This means different things to different people, but the range is wide and can be everything from a simple Chemex pour-over, to a barista style espresso machine. A tray works wonders for holding essentials like coffee filters, stir sticks, and to-go cups neatly in one location. No reason to hide those coffee grounds/ beans. Display them in clear glass canisters on your countertop.

The kitchen is often neglected when it comes to decorating because it is viewed as a space to be practical versus stylish. Your kitchen doesn’t have to be just a place where you prep, cook, and serve meals. Your kitchen, styled to suit your personality, is the kitchen you’ll want to be in. n