kitchen open shelving

My love affair with kitchen open shelving continues unabated.

I think it's my attempt to walk on the domestic wild side.

{I don't get out much}

I like to think of it as my mark of defiance.

The sheer stubbornness of refusing to acknowledge that this shelf could very well end up going pear-shaped due to a variety of toddler-related circumstances at any moment. It's living on the edge, suburban style.

Anyhoo, it's here to stay.

Life's too short to be sensible all the time. Every now and then you've just got to do what you love.

Here it is again:

Surprise, surprise, it turns out I've amassed quite a collection of images in my picture file.

In trying to clear it out, I found this HUGE stash of the object of my affection.

This is therapy.

My thinking is that maybe if I post these pictures I'll feel at least I've done some form of open shelving decoration...even if just in Blogland.

What am I saying... JUST Blogland?? Where else could be better??!!

Where do I start? The sink? The colour of the cabinets? The high ceiling? The huge window? The taps?

And of course....the shelves.

Happy, happy, happy.

This just screams "Come over and play!"

Such an unexpected dark colour in the kitchen.

It's gorgeous with the white china I think.

Very cute.

I wonder if the owner of this takes a tape measure to the supermarket to make sure the teabag boxes fit perfectly?

I know this is a little quirky, but I can't help but wishing this person lived next door and she was my very great friend.

You just know she has an awesome chocolate cake recipe.

Maybe a little too perfect for my chaos-loving ways, but still gorgeous.

So, so pretty.

{sigh}

Now we're talking.

I feel like bouncing up and down on the chair clapping my hands like a demented seal.

Do you think this is some one's actual kitchen?

Maybe the whole family took a pottery class and got a bit carried away.

Groovy blackboard - check.

Cool, retro coffee maker - check.

Gorgeous glass cake cloche - check.

Artisan bread - check.

Perfection - check.

I love this...but I'm not so sure about the ENORMOUS grilled cheese sandwich toaster next to the stove.

I was drawn to this because of the shelving.

I stayed because of the cake boxes and bowl of icing.

Such an inviting aspect.

Those stools look heinously uncomfortable, obviously they don't like guests to stay too long at the table, but it does look very "holiday cottage" cute.

If I lived here, I would insist on always wearing a frilly apron and perhaps some lovely red ballet flats.

Understated and lovely.

If only my children wouldn't be tempted to grab these by the handful to use as instruments of torture, I would display my cutlery like this all the time.

Unfortunately, the temptation would be far too great.

See above.

Hmm, methinks this is a happy place.

{Hint: there are three cake stands}

I particularly love the escape hatch door under the window.

I could really use one of those at about 6:30 every evening.

Simple. Practical. Perfect.

How do you think they get the KitchenAid down?

At the end of the day, I guess it's really not about the shelving, or what's on them.

It's who sits around your table and the memories you create as you break bread together.

Thanks for all your wonderful comments and hilarious insights this week.

You guys are the best.

Meredy xo.