You may be wondering about my kitchen. Did she finish it, yet?
The last thing you saw was a wall of wonky tile.
Truth is, yes, we did finish it, but I haven’t showed it to you, yet because it hasn’t been “decorated”. You would think with my large collection of kitchen items, I would have figured this out by now.
(Yawn….too boring.)
Things are looking just a little “too new” in here and I’m not cool with that.
(After seeing this pictures, I’m also thinking these shelves may need some trim work.)
(A little more colorful, but still…meh.)
I have two of these corner shelf areas that need to be decorated. They’re clearly not very functional.
(Even more colorful, but still, way too static.)
Hardly anything fits in these tiny triangular spaces.
(Getting warmer….)
I’m really struggling with what to put here. I would love to put some old rusty scales here, of course, but the shelf is far too small.
(Mr. Wonderful’s favorite.)
If I’m honest with myself, the plates look the best, but I’m not happy with that fact. It’s far too traditional for me and I’m not really a traditional girl, in the decorating sense of things. I like things quirky and weird and rusty. I don’t have traditional decorating like a painting or a plate wall anywhere in my house and I kinda like it that way. I do like it in other people’s homes, but not necessarily my own.
So this is how my kitchen looks now as I write this. After all my playing around with “stuff”, empty shelves and stuff strewn all over is what I’m left with. Don’t even get me started on that lower shelf…ugh!! It keeps falling out and I will now have to add some cleats to this shelf to get it to stay in because those stupid plastic holder thingies certainly aren’t doing the trick.
Tell me, please, what would you do with these spaces? I’m having a serious design brain cramp! Help!
Bye from the bungalow,
Hi, I'm Jean. I live in historic Butte, Montana in a Craftsman home built in 1920. This blog is all about my adventures (and sometimes misadventures) in updating and decorating my house with antiques and vintage goods I find at garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales or wherever cool things from the past are waiting to be discovered.
Instead of trying to go with one specific theme or color on the shelves try mixing and matching items–put some tiny with larger–mix textures and colors–don’t go so “matchy”. It might take several tries but you will come up with the right “mix”…
Maybe look on Pinterest “shelving ideas”? A lot of those have corbels as interesting details. How about your collection of salt/pepper shakers? Usually groups of like items are more impact full than a solitary piece. I also like Sandy’s idea but the small space makes it a challenge to find the right mix. But you do have some really cool collections. I’m sure it will come together,Jean. Sometimes it takes time to find just the right thing(s) for a particular spot.
Have you thought about painting or papering the back walls of the shelves….???
I agree with the doing something on the back walls of the shelves! In fact, I agree so much I have fabric and I bought liquid starch to do that to mine…you go first Jean!
I was thinking the same as Sandy, Jean. I’m thinking that you are doing one specific item or color at a time. Try something like three of the blue ball jars on one shelf, three red tins on another, and maybe a grinder in the middle. You could also break things up by sticking a plant on one of the shelves. It might be too formal for you, but what about stacking some saucers and teacups. Just some thoughts and I’m sure you will figure out what works for you. Walk away and come back to it. : )
It looks to me like you need pattern or color. Could you find some fabric that you like and cover a piece of thin wood with it. fit it into the cupboard and it’s something you can change out.
Another idea is words. You could print them out on the computer just to get a feel if you like the look.
Sorry! I got your email and went to hit the reply icon and hit delete by accident. Oops!! Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing your decorated shelves. BTW, I never ask my hubby’s opinion on decorating. He’s one of those who, wisely, leaves the decorating totally up to me. I once saw him hang a framed print just like a foot from the ceiling; it was just kind of floating there all by its lonesome.
Oh, isn’t frustrating when you can’t get a ‘look’ just how you want it? What about those metal ‘pails’ I see on the counter? I think those would be fun mixed with maybe a smaller item like a flower frog or vintage clock or something. I’m with you-I love the rusty and quirky versus traditional. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Susan
Whadda ‘ya got that’s rusty and flat to lean on the the side walls of the shelf with something colorful as the center?
Bliss
Hmmm, I think I would put a glass door with chicken wire behind the glass. I would put a chicken on top of a bowl of eggs in the middle and teapots on top and bottom. But that’s just me.
Love your shelves I also have the corner shelves in my kitchen.What about some plants small yet full like thyme or something like a sweet potato vine? your ideas are wonderful:)
it is frustrating jean…remember…incubation takes time
i agree with all that’s been offered thus far…and i was going to add what bliss said with something leaning against the wall, perhaps a vintage flat grater. varying heights and mixing it up (quirky style) on each shelf with coordinating colors is one way. if you’re visual like i am, go back thru your blog pics and see how you’ve styled other similar areas to get a vision for what might work. (i seem to “forget” what i’ve done before and this has helped)
happy decorating!
I think they all look good. Maybe you should have a rotating show. Plates are so predictable…
That’s frustrating, isn’t it? You get all that hard work done and then it doesn’t just come together as you would like. Look at the bright side; it gives you lots of reasons to play with decorating. I’m sure you’ll get going on it and get a burst of inspiration – sooner or later…
Liz
I had another idea, put vibrant patterned wallpaper in the background, I’m thinking aqua with white geometric patterns. Then put some rusty type thing over that (perhaps chickenwire, maybe stapled in a frame?) Then put white teapots or coffeepots or cookie jars in front of that. You could also put your vibrant red things in front of it for a big “pop”.
I actually liked the grinders and the coffee tin quite a bit. I think that maybe a small vintage table scarf hanging down off of one would break up the repition. Colored beadboard or wallpaper in the back would make them pop but it would limit what you could put there. I think you’ll find them alot of fun. Just need some tweaking here and there. We are finishing our basement. It has a kitchen area. i’m going for the farmhouse look with lots of white too. I’m having little rounded shelves on the edge of the cabinets by the window. Hoping they will be fun. I love red so I know that I will have pops of color here and there.
hugs,
Jann
Hi, Jean
I agree with Kathy from creative Home Expressions. You have some great stuff and you will find something. Have a lovely weekend.
Vanessa
Your kitchen will be gorgeous once you put your finishing touches in it. I’m thinking a bit of texture on the back of the cabinets…maybe some textured paper or something to soften the edges. I’m confident you’ll find the perfect solution.
I’m still having brain freeze over how to decorate my dining room walls once the board and batten goes up … making my head hurt! And I’m not the one to ask. I tend to skew to the symmetrical, same pattern repeat option. A la Mr. Wonderful …