When we showed you Susy's simple and perfectly organized kitchen, several of you immediately went ga-ga over her minimalist spice rack. One reader sent us the photo above and begged us to tell her where to find.
Well, you can't buy it, but you can build it! Susy built the spice rack out of common and inexpensive materials, and she very kindly shared her template with us. Read on for instructions, photos and even a diagram!
Susy says she is rather embarrassed by all the attention the spice rack received; she says it's rather silly and inexpensive. We think she's being overly modest - we love how simple the rack is, and how many spice bottles it holds. This is far more usable than the tiny 6 or 12 bottle racks we usually see. Also, even though the spices are exposed to light, we like that they are far away from the stove. Even a drawer near the stove can get hot, and a rack on the wall is probably better.
Here are Susy's instructions:
• The molding came from Home Depot. It's plastic - almost like a Styrofoam - and square. It's easy to cut in a miter box. (I'm always on the lookout for stuff like that.)
• Molding specs: "Blind Stop White Vinyl Never Rot" cellular vinyl moulding. 5/8" by 5/8". $5.15 per 8'. SKU 246871.
• I made ten 2-foot pieces and three 22-inch pieces.
• With little white brads, I nailed 5 of the cross pieces at equal intervals on the uprights (just far enough apart for the jars). I then nailed 5 more cross pieces onto the existing cross pieces to make the shelf wide enough for the spice jars. I'd originally intended just one piece but the resulting shelf was too narrow for the jars. Then I nailed it to the wall, again with brads (it's very light).
• The jars are from Cost Plus originally but I've also found them at Bed Bath and Beyond. I alphabetize them roughly (they're out of order all the time) and also label the tops with Avery removable round stickers. Mainly I just pick 'em by sight when I'm cooking.
Thank you so much, Susy!
• See the rest of Susy's kitchen here: Look! Susy's Perfectly Organized Kitchen
Related: Look! Beautiful (and Cheap) Spice Storage Solution
(Images: Susy Hammermeister)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
it's so pretty but i would be paranoid about accidentally knocking one bottle down, which would send the rest of them tumbling along with it.
view mpiedlourde's profile
What about exposing the spices to light on a daily basis? I love the idea of these shelves, but spices should be in dark spaces.
view wesaturtle's profile
I second wesaturtle.
Beautiful spice racks out in the open are "design elements" too often. Or worse, ones above the stove where the residual heat would release their essential oils before cooking.
But this one is quite beautiful.
view cashba's profile
http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=18
Would these amber jars take care of the light exposure issue? Not quite the same size, but the price is certainly right.
view Juliakay's profile
What about the hanging dish rack? Any hints on how Susy did that?
view sunrei's profile
Thanks so much for the tutorial! I think it's perfect because it's so simple. I've been looking at spice racks and a similar rack that holds that many jars tends to be over $100, and/or ugly as sin. I am definitely going to try this :)
view kittykittymeowmixhead's profile
No issue of light if you use up your spices fast (I sometimes use half a jar that size of curry powder in one dish! Not to mention paprika)
Its also fine if you keep your spices whole, and in air tight containers.
view Nolann's profile
Nailing from the back side will hide the brads. I have at least this many spices and am clumsy so I don't think this rack would work for me. I'd also be worried about light exposure since I mostly cook for one and don't use up spices that quickly. However, I applaud all cool efforts at organizing small spaces and this is very attractive.
view Annieo's profile
That is such a great idea! Someday....
view bayareababyblog's profile