Unpacking the kitchen is always one of the very first projects on our list to tackle after a move. A new home just doesn't feel relaxed until we're able to cook and eat comfortably in it. But setting up the kitchen is also one of the most exacting and potentially annoying steps of the unpacking process. So here's a little inspiration from Cassie Lynne, who got her new kitchen up and running (and adorable!) in no time...
A few tips we gleaned from studying Cassie's choices in her new kitchen:
• Even if your oven is floating, like Cassie's, store all the essentials you need for cooking close at hand. It's easy enough to put up a shelf or shelving unit to hold your olive oil, salt and pepper, spoons and spatulas, and the like.
• Indulge in some color. Many rental kitchens are not exactly cheerful spots on their own, with cabinetry and linoleum that looks drab without any touching up. Try bringing in some color, in the form of pretty tea towels, a shelving unit, even the canisters and pots and pans themselves. If you have nice-looking tools, like Le Creuset pots or an enameled teakettle, store them in the open.
• Hang artwork. Once you've taken care of the practical parts of unpacking the kitchen, don't forget to spice it up with some artwork. It's tempting to put off making the kitchen look and feel nice when you're beat up from spending so much time getting tools and food put away. Adding houseplants is another great way to make your kitchen feel warm and homey right off the bat.
We love all the sweet vintage touches in Cassie's kitchen; to see more throughout her new home, visit her Flickr page. Lucky for us, she also collects vintage housewares and other items and sells them on Etsy.
Tell us how you like to set up your kitchen! Do you store items in the open, like Cassie Lynne? Do you hang artwork first or last?
(Images: Cassie Lynne)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Very cute. I have to say I didn't see a lot of hope for that kitchen in the first pic, but what she's done with it is adorable! I love those numbers on the wall beside the stove.
http://www.swankydigs.blogspot.com/
view Tara77's profile
Wow! I wouldn't have imagined the dramatic transformation. Very cute, indeed.
view youngbloop's profile
Yes the numbers are such a nice way to provide visual interest in an otherwise bare wall. The space has so much character with just a few pieces. Thanks for sharing!
Grace Hester Designs
Silhouette- and typography-based artwork and prints
Experience my blog at http://www.gracehester.typepad.com
Shop my designs at http://www.gracehesterdesigns.etsy.com
Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gracehester
view gracehesterdesigns's profile
Really awesome! Way to turn a truly drab looking kitchen into a hip, fun, cute place.
view CJ26's profile
very nice. I really enjoy it's simplicity.
view austin Charles Benton's profile
Great decorating job, but who designed that kitchen?! The stove and fridge appear to be a million miles away from the sink! Smart gal adding that island on wheels!
view TravelingRae's profile
Better than my first kitchen!
Only thing I'd have done differently would be to place the Microwave elsewhere so that space is freed up on the main counter for food preparation.
view bepsf's profile
Great job! See it IS possible to have a clean, uncluttered kitchen that still has charm.
view phaedrus's profile
Interesting. But why did she leave those wood cabinet doors in the white cabinets? Just out of curiosity, were the wood cabinet doors real wood or fake?
I'm ready to cope with a really ugly kitchen with less space than this one -- but with similar cabinets. I need information, and help!
view AustinSarah's profile
The cabinet doors look weird - I probably would have taken the chance and painted them. I'm way too bland and would have just matched the white to the cabinets.
view ChrisGal's profile
Extreme Makeover - Kitchen Edition! Great job.
BTW, what's the story on those numbers? Are they metal? They look fantastic inside, but I'm thinking they could be cool house numbers, as well.
view mirandabee's profile
Great kitchen!! Can you share the name of the artist? I love that piece. Thanks
view remy's profile
Love the kitchen -- great job!
There are only 2 little things that bug me -- the microwave and stand mixer hogging precious workspace. I would put both of them elsewhere -- e.g., on the bottom shelf of the metro shelving by the window (microwaves do not need to be counter height -- I have mine below counter).
view mschatelaine's profile
I'd say she made lemonade out of lemons.
view spinsLPs's profile
Does anyone know where to purchase the wall-mounted pot lid holder shown in second-to-last picture on the right? Thanks!
view McK's profile
That is GREAT. Looks so cozy and easy to spend time in. I dream of having a kitchen with windows so I can grow herbs in the window, it always looks so cute!
view hollybledsoe's profile
Super cute!
view LoriSF's profile
Mck I have seen wall mounted lid holders at the Container Store.
view LoriSF's profile
Also seen wall mounted lid holders at Ikea.
view pinktea's profile
OK, I guess I am the only one who does not like this at all. This looks like something you do, while you are waiting for your really kitchen to be delivered or built. I think the wood & white cabinets is tacky and there is absolutely no counter space to speak of. There is some moveable counter space, but you have to clear off a lot of junk before you can even start cooking.
view cliokitty's profile
The text implied (in the "Indulge in some color" paragraph) that it is a rental- so painting the cabinet doors is probably not an option.
Probably something else that could be done with them, but no paint!
Probably not an option to wait for the kitchen to be replaced either...
view JG's profile
JG -- another option would have been covering the cabinet doors in some very cheap fabric would have been a good idea too.
view ChrisGal's profile
What do you do with no hood? Does grease or steam get annoying? We have the same oven deal in our place, and it's already bugging me not to have a light over the stove. I'm not sure what I can put there that won't be affected by heat/steam or whatever. An outdoor-grade floodlight in a metal pendant? What do other people do?
view Chester Shoeshine's profile
Hey everyone, this is MY kitchen, I'm Cassie. The kitchen actually already looks different, the last picture is the best representation of how it looks now except there's more art on the walls. The kitchen cart and stainless work table is all the counter top space I need. Since there's no food stored in the cupboards I don't use the counter under the cabinets.
I'm going to ask my landlord if I can paint the cabinets all white, and I'm also planning on putting up a better looking temporary backslash.
This is what my kitchen looked like pretty much right after I moved in! It's still got a ways to go :)
I appreciate all the nice comments!
view cassielynn's profile
Vintage-looking curtains and a colorful rug would do the trick. I love the turquoise accents!
view mjs7640's profile
Chester Shoeshine,, I have no hood in my kitchen. I've never gotten a rental with a hood (and I've been through a few) It annoys the hell out of me but I can't force my landlord to install a hood. I clean the cupboards above the stove a lot, and the celling a lot.
view Hollie's profile