The Kitchn Archive: Jan 2014

What strikes you most about this kitchen? I’m guessing you, like me, cannot ignore those wooden handles. Set against the greige cabinets, they’re a throwback to the mid century, but still look like they belong in this time. I’ve always liked wood in the kitchen, but this is a unique take on it, and I think the overall look is very soothing. Wondering about the cabinets? They’re painted “French Gray” by Farrow & Ball.

I admit that my spice storage is a mess right now. The bottles are not stored so much as piled together in a corner in my pantry. (Ugh.) Here’s one solution that could work, though, and it’s really smart: hang wire mesh drawer organizers (or pencil holders, depending on what you want to call them) on the wall! This super smart idea comes from Ashley of the blog Domestic Imperfection.

To top off this Wednesday, how about a dream trip to this incredible light-filled kitchen, with its big, beautiful skylight and stunning view. Jealous much? A skylight probably tops my list of dream kitchen details. What’s not to love about light flooding in from big windows stretched along the whole length of the ceiling? Do you have a skylight in your kitchen? Do you dream of having one?

Frances Palmer is a well-known ceramist whose beautiful pots, plates and vases have graced the pages of Martha Stewart Living, Elle Decor, and Vogue. While pottery is clearly her calling, she’s also a cook and a gardener and a passionate advocate of the handmade life. Read on for her take on what’s essential to be a happy and successful cook! I learned to cook from my mother when I was very young.

Who cooks and eats here: Ellen & Greg Gartland Where: Chicago, IL Rent or Own? Own Ellen and Greg Gartland’s simple and beautiful kitchen is a result of the pair’s creative approach to renovation. “Rustic elegance,” might sound like an oxymoron, but that’s exactly what the Chicago couple achieved in the design of their loft.

I diligently wash my blender after every smoothie, juice, and soup, yet recently I noticed it was still looking scummy. I mentioned this to my friend Angela, who recommended a super-simple way to get my blender looking clean and clear. (Yes, these are the sorts of riveting conversations that occur between Vitamix cult members. The tip is totally applicable to all blenders, though!) Angela pointed out that the stains on my blender container were probably the result of hard water buildup.

For everyone tired of the white subway tile trend (and we know you’re out there!) here’s something to cleanse your palate: Ten subway tile backsplashes in all colors but white! Last week I shared a photo of this kitchen, highlighting the clever way it used a section of empty wall space. But the chocolate brown subway tiles were another unique feature that could not be ignored — a definite departure from the white tiles we’ve seen everywhere for the last couple of years.

The winter doldrums have hit hard in my household. We’re bored and uninspired. We’re restless and itchy. We glower at the kale and turnips that not so long ago were sending us into rapture with their funky and surprising sweetness. Seems like all the tangerines are shriveled and bitter and the cabbage may end up as a soccer ball, kicked up and down some back alley, if it’s not careful. It’s a little early for the winter doldrums, which is worrisome.

Home is where the art is. If you’re hoping to infuse your kitchen with just a touch more personality this year, try carving out some room for a framed print. Find your style (contemporary or classic) and function (inspiration or utility) with some of my favorite prints. Try placing the chalkboard print in front of the glass on a flat-colored frame to give off the look of a hand-written chalk. Or add some interest by hanging three similar prints in different color variations side by side.

In the comments of this recent House Tour, several people remarked about liking John and Laurel’s vintage metal wire cookbook rack in their kitchen. It’s a classic workhorse of a shelf, storing one row of books at an angle that’s easy to read when standing in the kitchen. I scoured around and came up with five similar versions that are up for grabs: 1 Mid Century Modern Wire Shelf, $59 from VintageMementos on Etsy: very similar to the inspiration.

A couple weeks ago I was roasting some cauliflower for dinner and I used the wrong baking sheet, too much olive oil, and all at a rather high temperature. A good amount of oil ended up spilling in my oven and my apartment quickly flooded with smoke and an awful smell. There were no flames to speak of, but it was still concerning. After I turned off the oven and I could see through the smoke, the question became now what.

I love to bake, so I’m always happy when a birthday rolls around and I get to make a cake in celebration. And I find that after I’ve labored over the baking and icing, the most fun part is choosing fun birthday candles to compliment my creation. Here are five beautiful, tall birthday candle displays. Read on for styling and where to buy. I love these DIY Striped Candles from A Subtle Revelry.

One of the least rewarding aspects of cooking is cleaning up after the meal is done. A very long time ago, one of our readers asked, “How can I cook without making a huge mess?” We got so many smart answers, we can’t stop thinking about theme all these years later. Here are the eight best tips from our readers for keeping messes manageable and your sanity intact when cooking every day.

The word of mindful is trending hard these days so as someone who writes a ‘meditation’ column, I feel it’s important to come out and admit that I’m not a fan of the word. I appreciate the concept and the hard work that is often behind being a mindful person, but the word itself is too easy to grasp in a superficial way and that, unfortunately, is how some people relate to it. Either that or they nervously squirm in their seats in full aversion at the mere mention.

Remember this clever idea to use a magazine file for storing foil and plastic wrap? If the aesthetics of that weren’t to your liking, but the door storage bit was, then this project may be just what you need. Whitney of the blog Shanty 2 Chic built her own door organizer for all her parchment, foil, and plastic wrap boxes. It cost $10 and only took her about 10 minutes, and look how sleek it looks!

The kitchen island in this recent House Tour on Apartment Therapy, made of iron pipes and a live edge wood top, caught my eye because it’s not an island design you see very often. Owners Mike and Molly are fortunate to have enough space in their kitchen for a full-size table, but there isn’t actually a lot of workspace other than the countertop against the wall.

When we think of clever solutions for the kitchen, this is what we’re talking about. In a recent House Tour on Apartment Therapy, Jonathan Paul shares how he turned his large but underutilized Santa Monica kitchen into a space that triples as a place for him to cook, eat, and work. And he did it all with the help of a few IKEA butcher block boards.