We are just in the process of starting our kitchen remodel, and intend to have open shelving. We just build a pantry off the kitchen to house all the stuff that isn't pretty out. So, that way the open shelves can be neat and organized. I love to cook, and having my serving dishes out makes for easy access. Love it!

The downside of open shelves is the regular washing of all the displayed items that is required- the closer to the stove, the more often they need washing. Even items fairly distant get greasy/grimy over time. Something to factor in.

Agreed with Susan.

If you cook regularly, the items stored on open shelves will develop this tacky, greasy film that is very hard to clean off. Closer to the stove means faster buildup.

I agree that open shelves are nice, and work well for items that are used very regularly, but you should definitely factor in the increased cleaning time that they will create for you.

we are in the process of putting up some open shelves in our kitchen right now! I am concerned about what to display on them-I don't want it to look like a flea market up there!

In my current rental, no room for open shelving and in this kitchen, leaving the doors on looks best due to the cabinets being original to this 1960 era building for a seemless look, but have had some open shelving in the past though.

I would agree that open shelving means more to clean over time as stuff on them and the shelves over time. Amonia and water work wonders here though.

I would not recommend you put wooden salad bowls and such on shelves over the stove for they WILL get nasty in a hurry and not all kitchens have good ventilation, if they have any at all.

In a past studio apartment from the mid to late 20's, I had room for a shelf for spices over my stove and had a flourescent tube light fixture under it for cooking as I had a single bulbed original fixture high up in the center of the ceiling. To the left of the stove was a very wide 2 door upper cabinet that I had to remove the doors on due to the narrowness of the kitchen and the broom closet behind it so had open shelving there for dishes and glassware. I will attest to grease/dust/dirt getting EVERYWHERE. Heck even having closed doors is no guarentee for I have icky glasses that I've not used in a good while looking hazy now after 5 years so will have to wash when I go to use them. In all of my kitchen from that one to my current one, I have a plastic coated wire grid where I hang the most oft used pots and pans on and they do just fine since they all get used most of the time and are not right over or near the stove but even now with an exhaust fan that I use, grease and dust and dirt get everywhere.

However, that said, I love, love open shelving for the most oft used items such as daily dinnerware/glassware etc. The rest can hid in cupboards or drawers.

Can anyone tell me who manufactures that stove? It's amazing. Thanks!

i pondered the pros/cons of open shelves before my kitchen remodel and don't regret it one bit, having open shelves on the opposite side of the stove in a galley kitchen. so far, no problems with build up. just keep everyday use items on the shelves so they get used and washed often. it creates so much more visual interest, and in a small kitchen provides a more open, airy feel.

i like the wooden bowls. those would be great to eat from- anyone have any ideas where to get a few?

Oneformybaby:

I picked up a few of these at Homegoods. I love that store ...

Open shelving would be best farthest from the stove as possible - and then you will still get the grime. I prefer doors so I can shut my nice things off and not let them get all icky.

The grime factor is a huge one; we actually bought quilted china cases for our "good" china so that we don't have to wash it all before we use it--and that's behind cupboard doors.

Bottom line; open shelves look good, sell dishes, and may preserve renters when their kitchen cupboards are absolute trash, but for anyone who owns the kitchen and hopes to store things and use them, cupboards are the way to go.

II have open shelving over my stove and counter top. The secret is to only keep items there that you use all the time, or items that are only for display. I have four plates, four bowls, four mugs, salt and pepper, salad bowl and some decorative items. I use the dishes every day. Even if I don't it is only the top plate that gets a bit of dust. There is that much dust on your countertop.

Besides if it doesn't work for you then don't do it.

My seriously tiny kitchen means open shelves are essential for storage. The items don't get too grubby as they're used and washed frequently.

klacko --

It's a 1940s O'Keefe and Merritt:

http://www.antiquevintageappliances.com/stove16.html

There are many other similar stoves that can be had for cheaper than at this particular retailer. Just google "vintage stoves"... Personally, I am in love with Chambers stoves.

I find this shot rather staged because of my experience with the grease. I just don't think you would go through that many wooden bowls on a daily basis, or that many vases.

They are both bound to get grimy right on top of the stove, and neither one is easy to clean.

I think if it were truly not staged, then you would see plates and bowls (ceramic) up there instead.

Personally, I love open shelves, and like cupboards mostly for pantry items (in which case I like very shallow floor-to-ceiling cupboards).

I've cooked in this kitchen (it is a hotel/b&b on the island of Bornholm in Denmark), and loved it. The stove is what looks like glass next to the tea cups.

http://emmas.blogg.se/images/2008/bilder_6_1209766031_865945.jpg

I love the big jar labelled Quaaludes!!