2.18.2011

An Organized Life: The Kitchen

Here is my kitchen. Since I learned how to cook last year I quickly realized that our kitchen was a mess. Not necessarily looks wise, but in how it functioned. Here is how it works for us now...


We have two fruit bowls so it keeps access easy for the kiddos and I. Actually seeing the fruit out makes us want to eat it more.


The large basket keeps all our bread at easy access and the small one keeps all our bars like granola, lara, etc bars within reach. I like having all our wooden cutting boards out in plain view, but I keep the plastic meat cutting board hidden away.


This is my baking drawer. It has all my specialty flours and sugars. I keep our all purpose, bread flours and sugar in jars on the counter.


This is an example of inside our cabinets. Everything is neatly lined up and yes we use chinet recycled plates for when we are on the fly.


A few of my favorite cooking books stay out all the time. The rest are kept in a cabinet. I do need to take the time and write down all my favorite recipes on recipe cards instead of having loose sheets of paper tucked everywhere.


The basket is a new addition that I adore. I needed a space for all my table linens and went back and forth with the idea of getting a low cupboard. The only problem with that is that one of our current pieces would have to go in order to accommodate one. I then came across this basket at World Market and new it would be perfect.


The barstools are not new, but the slipcovers are. They were a blue that didn't quite blend into my neutral color scheme and I really wanted a natural linen. I decided before hiring out that I would try to make them myself. The first two went well and the third was a whole other story, but I got it done after much frustration. They are NOT perfect by any means, but they are good enough for me.

*To see a full view of my kitchen you can go here.

35 comments:

Melissa @ Veranda Interiors said...

Recall those antique brass pulls you wanted from RH? They are now on clearance, thought I would let you know!!

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1080030&categoryId=cat1512023

I want to come for coffee, your kitchen looks so cozy and welcoming, love it all!

Kellie Collis said...

What a lovely kitchen! And do you know that organization makes me smile? Enjoy the beautiful weekend, Kellie xx

Unknown said...

I think that a canister full of cooking utensils is as pleasant as a vase filled with flowers, especially wooden spoons! I need to checkout the Sesame Street cookbook...

Have a great weekend!

Melissa Marie Head said...

Love the organization and the fact you can tell you use your kitchen. The slipcovers look amazing! Great job.

Andrea said...

Cooking looks like a dream in your kitchen. The slipcovers look awesome! Well done.

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

Bonham loves looking at the C is for Cooking cookbook. Too bad he won't actually eat any of it!

Tiffany @ Savor Home said...

I too just started to seriously cook a few years ago and an organized kitchen makes it SO much easier! You have done a great job. I hope you had a fun week!

lizziefitz said...

Function and style. Great post! PS the hardware that you linked on your wish list is currently on sale:)

Tash said...

An organized kitchen makes for a happy chef :) Your kitchen looks fab and so do the slipcovers!
Happy weekend!
Natasha xo

Char said...

it looks like home

Katie Baba Nielson said...

i really like your slip covers. i'm a half-seamstress, so i, too have learned to be happy with imperfections in this department. i think it adds character! great job!

Ashley said...

Your kitchen blows me away, Paula...it's gorgeous! Did you have extra deep drawers built to accommodate your jars for baking? Love the rug in the kitchen, too!

Nuha said...

I like how uncluttered your kitchen is! I feel like ever inch of my counter space is taken up, but then again they give you very minimal counter space in apartments. But I'm curious, is it hard to take care of wood flooring in kitchens?

Julie-Inspired said...

So pretty...and very organized!! I really love the rug that you have, I need one like that! Have a great weekend.

Allison {Live Love Small} said...

your kitchen is cozy and inviting. i agree with having a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter at all times makes everyone eat more...

Jennie Bee said...

What a Great Idea to put the Bread in Baskets! I also need to have the fruit available to eat.

Emma at The Marion House Book said...

So true about keeping the fruit in plain sight. If I don't see it I won't eat it.

The slip covers look amazing! You obviously are very talented in the sewing department. I have a hard time even attaching a button!

Julie said...

Love your organized and beautiful kitchen! Wish you could lend a hand in mine.

LBM said...

What a great kitchen! I wish mine were so well put together.

A suggestion for your loose recipes: I bought a binder and the clear plastic sleeves that go inside. Each time I pull out, print or receive a loose recipe—if we love it—it goes in the binder. I have it organized with tabs just like a cookbook would be. It works, and if something splatters while on the stove, the recipe is protected! Just a thought:)

Anna said...

Well done on the slipcovers! Learning the "this is good enough" mantra is so freeing, isn't it!?

Unknown said...

You are one talented lady making those seat covers. I would be too stressed to even try. Your kitchen is great Paula. I too use chinet plates for easy meal times.
Thanks for another peek.

bron @ baby space said...

I love how organised you are. Very inspiring. My kitchen (and in fact the desk I'm sitting at right now)could def do with some of this super-sorted treatment!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow your kitchen looks great. You have it organized so well.Really like your blog and am glad I found it!

annie@mostlovelythings said...

I love an organized kitchen...it makes everything from coming home with the groceries to cooking and emptying the dishwasher so much more enjoyable. Yours looks fantastic! Your slip covered bar stools look fabulous...I so wished I had learned to sew!!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

oh my goodness. I'm so jealous and in awe. So pretty.

Did you use a pattern for those covers? I want to make covers for my chairs.

Julia said...

This post is so inspiring to me! I really need to figure out how to make my kitchen more efficient and organized :) You did a remarkable job!

Stephanie Sabbe said...

the stools look great!

I'm still loving the colors you and Marianne picked out for the cabinets. You sold me on the two toned.

Bridget said...

nice organization paula!

and those slipcovers look fine by me!

Unknown said...

I think kitchens are the hardest part of a home to organize. It takes a while to figure out how you use things when you cook and where everything needs to live so it can be convenient. I looks like you've done a great job and I love all the finishes you've used. I think the the grey/blue cabinets are wonderful.

MaryBeth Houlihan said...

thanks for sharing! it makes me want to reorganize my kitchen.

Amanda said...

I really like that you put those cookbooks out in order for a quick reference. I keep mine crammed in my spice cabinet, so maybe during spring cleaning, I'll have to do what you do!

I have the same problem as you: printed out recipes everywhere! :)

Tara said...

Love the Kitchen Paula! I want to make slipcovers just like those-imperfections and all.
Just an observation- looks like you need to run a bead of white caulk down the top and bottom of your tile. It will give it a finished look and keep water from running down the crack. It's easy run the caulk down the line and gently run your finger over to smooth it out. keep a wet rag handy.

hogger and co. said...

Nicely organized kitchen! Love those bowls!

Unknown said...

You have kids and your kitchen still looks that clean? I am impressed.

メル友 said...

せっかくのお盆休みに家にいてる暇人達に軽い診断テストを用意してみた。意中の相手は君をメル友止まりかそれともそれ以上と意識してくれているのか簡単な質問に答えるだけで判断してくれる!まだ遅くない!この診断で弾みつけて意中の相手を遊びに誘おう!