You ask, we answer: Kitchen help

by Christina

Reader Anne asked for some help with her new and already lovely kitchen.  She writes:

My new house has a beautiful kitchen with lots and lots of cabinets lining the walls.  They are a light mahogany in color. Counter tops are black & brown granite. Unfortunately for me, design challenged, they don't go all the way to the ceiling. This leaves about 18 inches or so of space between them and the ceiling. Space that needs some style! I've seen kitchens that use baskets up there, kitchens that use birdhouses....but I'm looking for ideas

~~~

Anne, I'm so glad you've come to us for help!  I have a few ideas for you that do not include baskets, chickens or fake plants.

Personally, I think this is a tricky area. I recommend keeping it simple, use a collection of like items and a few pieces that are unique. Take into consideration the feel of your home, is it modern, traditional, vintage or an eclectic mix?  What ever it is this needs to tell the same story you're already telling in the surrounding rooms. I'm thinking of all white pottery with maybe some thrift store milk glass in the mix.  Old blue colored mason jars (also a thrift find, about 1-3 dollars per jar though you can get them on-line, too but for a bit more)  If you're into fiesta ware, you could put a collection of their juice pitchers up there. Add in a large T for your last name and maybe prop up a print somewhere. Globe collections are really in right now and I found a few at Target that are just gorgeous and just 13 inches high. (I totally whipped out my tape just for you!) If you get it up there and are looking for more of a pop, paint the area above a few shades lighter or darker than the rest of your kitchen and add some lighting. You can get a rope light for less than $20 that will add to the drama and no one will know it's a rope light. Here is a little eye candy in the hopes of inspiration.

 

{photo credits: decor pad, Anthropologie, Target, me}

Just get out and see what you can find. If your not into the vintage stuff hit up Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Marshals. Start small, don't go out thinking you are going to knock this out in one afternoon. Look for the first piece, something you love and let that guide you the rest of the way. This could take a long time but once you have direction it should be easier and, maybe, even fun.

One last tip; if you're still a little stumped take some time to scour design blogs, check out kitchens on Flickr, you're bound to find something that fits your style.  Hope this helps, good luck!

{Have a question for Style Lush? Let us hear it! Drop us an email at StyleLushBlog at gmail dot com}

Comments

[heidi]

Am I the only one that sees this as just a dust collection? As much as I love these ideas, I'm terrified what it would look like if I them in my home. On the other hand, I'm guessing other people actually dust so this wouldn't be an issue.

[Anne]

I had to stop and think for a minute when I read the start of this post. Did I send in this question? I don't *remember* sending in this question. But that describes my kitchen. And my name is Anne. I actually wasn't sure until you mentioned putting up a "T" for her last name, and I was all *phew*, I'm not going crazy. My last name starts with an F.

[Elizabeth]

I keep all my extra GIANT mixing bowls and stuff like cake stands and pitchers up there - I don't use them often enough that it's annoying to have them out of reach, and it looks nice, I think.

That being said, when we re do the kitchen, I'm moving the cabinets all the way up the ceiling because I hate that stupid space between the cabinets and the ceiling.

[Annie]

Thank you thank you thank you! These are great ideas, especially because they got me thinking about something other than BASKETS. I don't want baskets up there. AT ALL. I always like what I see in OTHER peoples' kitchens...but doing my own is another thing entirely. Will let you know how it comes out!