I've been working with the slab style formica cabinets, and have gone for a more modern look. Stainless Steel was an obvious choice for one of the finishes and it was what I went with for my spice rack.
BUT! Here's the big secret: I hate most "modern" kitchens. GASP!
Don't get me wrong! I like modern functionality - like appliances that don't burn the cookies at the back of the oven, and leave the rest doughy - but I prefer a very vintage, classic looking kitchen. A kitchen should inspire appetite, and so should be warm and remind you of grandma's house (or at least the grandma you wish you had, not the one farting-in-her-sleep, bringing you lint-covered candy from her monstrosity of a purse). It should not feel like the dentist's office: all tools and sterility and no candy. Hurumph.
The solution?: Stainless steel spice rack with spices in romantic mason jars.
The Curry, Lavender, Wasabe powder, crystallized ginger, they are all accessible when I need that special secret ingredient, so secret that it evades even me. That is, it's a secret until I see it on the shelf, pop off the top, take a whiff, and know I've found the key to Atlantis...or at least my impromptu "chicken-is-about-to-go-bad" hodge-podge of a dinner.
How To:
1. I got the stainless steel spice racks for $19.99 each at IKEA.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90022781
2. The mason jars, which evoke an old world feel and make me feel like Juliette Binoche from Chocolat, were $1 each at Michael's. Score!
3. I used a label maker and put labels on the top, so the side view would just be pretty spices with varying colors and textures. I just saw label makers for sale at the local grocery store in the office supplies aisle, but you can probably just go to your local office supply or container store.
This also gave me an opportunity to display the stunning Depression Era glassware my mother-in-law, Nancy, gave me. The opaque, minty-green glass shows up on my salt shaker, salt bowl, and antique measuring cup. Note: just a few pieces are on display, not the whole collection. "Clutter does not the cook inspire" - Yoda.
The end result is so pretty, it kickstarts me into a frilly, twirly tornado buzzing around the kitchen, grabbing spices at will and concocting magical dishes that motivate my husband, Aaron, to come home from work on time and sit down to dinner as a family.
Magic.
The Before:
I love depression era glass. My father unearthed a reamer from the basement of our house and it is the most blessedly efficient orange juicer I have ever used. Better than the electric ones! It has the same color: key lime green. I found a similar one in a kitchen antique store for $125 and startled the owner by bursting into hysterical giggles (because the wonders of my basement never cease!).
ReplyDeleteLovely job on the spice rack. I'm sure that it inspires all kinds of new twists on old recipes. My favorite twists tend to be a pop of spicy where you don't expect it---like jalapeno apple butter.
Oh, in the next life, I want to come back as Juliette Binoche. Or at least grant me that gorgeous plum dress she wears in Chocolat and some red heels.
ReplyDeletedid you repainted the kitchen in white?! without me?!!! :)
ReplyDeletemiss you!
green, but the flash makes it look white-ish. Oy. And I want that juicer. I need more juice in my life. Miss you Super! Miss you Rahel!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great spice rack. Next kitchen perhaps. And I love the green glass.
ReplyDeleteGlass in spice racks are the best. Do you want to display the spices? With the magnet on the bottom of the spice cans you can even attach them to the refrigerator or even the stove.
ReplyDeleteOoh! What a great idea. I think I saw saw container magnets at Ikea. They had a glass lid for viewing the spices. It makes me want a stainless steel backsplash to keep my magnetic spices on...
ReplyDelete