Open Shelves Create Display Space for Treasures

For collectors of china, dishes, glassware and silver, displaying  the treasures and not completely covering your countertops is a challenge.  I mean a kitchen is meant for cooking - right?  Even after editing my culinary treasures when we sold our Chicago home, I still found myself overwhelmed by so much stuff.  And of course, I love it all and want to display it.  But I do need a few feet of counter space- I think????

Open shelves have really solved much of the problem .  I recently had the shelves in the prep kitchen and craft room installed and spent the day cleaning and placing treasures on the shelves. 

In the prep kitchen, open shelves allow many different display opportunities. 

 The shelves are 40 inches tall and 30 inches wide. I decided to display pieces that would add a

Paris bistro vide- silver domes, antique bakery cake stands, and black clay porcelain from Paris.

Daily dishes could also be a great alternative to store in these shelves, as the dishwasher is directly below them.  I can already envision them filled with old fashioned Christmas candies, tartan dishes  and Santa mugs at Christmas time. 

The little alcove shelf in the back of the faucet holds

old soda fountain bottles filled with dish detergent.

 Old bread boards and wine carafes are displayed with rustic dinnerware.

 antique weighted measuring cups from Europe with beautiful embossing. Notice the little lead weights that are attached to the handles.

Covered silver dishes for serving guests

In a pantry inside the prep kitchen, an open shelves hold serve and dinner ware.  Being open, it is very to see and grab what you need. 

 Brass powder coated shelves flank the brass sink in the dining hall  and hold special barware and glassware. They are lit from the top by black and brass sconces.

This sink area  serves as a bar when we have parties.

Vintage champagne coupes await the sound of bubbly.

Antique vintage barware. 

An open shelf cabinet from Restoration Hardware fits perfectly between the doors.  It will

be changed seasonally to showcase different collections.  Plus there is great storage underneath.

For now,  my collection of black transferware and pewter is displayed. 

Adding the back splash with the ledge on the top, allows display of cooking condiments and decorative pieces and keeps them off the countertops. 

 

 Gray powder coated shelves were added in the craft room to hold crafting supplies and

crafting creations.  

Acrylic boxes filled with old lace, rhinestone buckles and buttons sit beside

crafted treasures.  

Open shelves are very popular today, and a  nod to the kitchens of yesterday.  I find them to be

more useful to find, use  and enjoy what you have, rather than hiding everything behind

doors.  Yes, it means a bit more dusting, but why have  treasures if you can't enjoy them.

My mother in law used her sterling silver flatware everyday- that was a smart woman!