If your house if anything like mine, the kitchen is it's workhorse. I spend most of my time in this room and it is the room most used by every member of our family. Therefore, it can get cluttered and dirty in the blink of an eye. I have instituted a new cleaning schedule to try and keep the clutter/dirt at a minimum. It is working great and has allowed me to see a few things I needed to change as well as a few that I'm glad I have already done.
Function is the number one thing we should all strive for in our kitchens but I don't think you have to sacrifice beauty for functions sake. Here are just a few things you can try doing to add beauty and fun to your kitchen.
A Pretty Catch Dish
I use olive oil everyday in my cooking so I like to have a bottle of it close and easily accessible so I have it on my countertop. Every now and then a little oil will run down the outside of the bottle, so to keep it from getting on my counter I put a paper towel underneath. It wasn't the most attractive option so one day I finally realized I could put a nice dish underneath instead and accomplish the same thing but with style. I went into my pantry and found a dish given to me by my dad from one of his trips to Europe when he was still flying. I rarely ever use it but like it so now it graces my countertop, allows me to see if everyday, and has a purpose.
Soap Dispenser & A Brush Holder
I don't know about you, but I think the bottles dish soap comes in are ugly so I don't want it visible but I want the soap accessible because I use it so much that I want it easy to grab. So awhile back I turned to a bottle meant for oil and added dish soap instead. It has worked out great and doesn't make me cringe when I look at my counters. Recently I was getting frustrated with the scrub brushes laying around and looking cluttered behind my sink. It finally dawned on me that if I put them in a glass it kept them upright, allowing them to dry better, as well as looking so much more pleasing to the eye.
Not Just Cook Books
My mom and I are Ina Garten fans. She is an amazing cook and you really can't go wrong with any of her recipes. Her cookbooks are not only filled with yummy recipes but are also beautiful works of art. She has done such a good job in organizing them and allowing the pictures to capture the beauty of the food one can prepare. I don't buy cookbooks that don't have pictures. Food should not only taste good but look good too - but that 's another post.
Over the years I have collected all of Ina's cookbooks. Since I don't really have a great place to put them right now I have them on my counter to add color as well as serve as the base for a hot pot trivet, a few clay figurines my kids made at school, as well as a cool bottle that once held vinegar from Italy a friend brought back for me after one of her trips there.
I love using things that are intended for one purpose, for a totally different one. These are a few of my "secondhand" functions I have used in my kitchen to make it just a little nicer and a more inviting place in my home. What are some creative things you have allowed to serve a "secondhand" function? I'd love to see them.
Happiest of Tuesdays!!
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