I have lived in a big city for most of my adult life; first New York, and then London. As for most people, a big city, for me, has always meant living in a small apartment with a teeny tiny kitchen.
In fact, archival images show that even Audrey Hepburn sacrificed space for access to the Big Apple. A 1954 picture reveals that the Breakfast at Tiffany's actress did most of her cooking in an ultra-narrow galley kitchen. Despite the low square footage of the space, her kitchen appears bright and expansive. One color is to blame: white.
I'll admit, I've never been a fan of white kitchen ideas. My interior design style tends to be maximalist and colorful; I love prints, textures, and bric-a-brac on every surface. The combination has always seemed too sterile and smooth, absent of any trace of personality.
Embrace the modern design meets vintage style aesthetic in your kitchen. Whether used practically to store dried goods, or simply styled on shelving, this canister will blend effortlessly with your kitchen style.
Italian luxury just got more accessible. These towels bring a hint of Southern European beauty to every kind of kitchen, and they're as practical as they are good-looking.
Nothing adds a touch of luxury to your kitchen like marble decor. To add a decorative element to your space, add a marble tray like this one to your island or countertops, topped with a candle, bud vase, or even a pretty olive oil bottle.
However, even I have to own up that the color is perfect for Audrey's small kitchen, reformed hater that I am. The long white cabinets draw the eye up, emphasizing the impressive height of the room, rather than its narrow width. Her white tiled countertops look clean and expansive, even with the presence of a large vase. Even the white trim and shutters on the window brighten and enlarge the space. It shows that if you're decorating a small kitchen, there is no better color than white.
Audrey's space contains another equally important lesson, which is that evocative decor is an essential part of making a small white kitchen look interesting. The actress uses a low round vase filled with irises, but any type of floral arrangement is a great addition.
Depending on your style, you can use a variety of countertop accoutrements like interesting salt and pepper shakers, pretty tea towels, and a marble cutting board to stun your guests. All of these accents add interest, without minimizing much-needed space.
From here on out, as long as I am living in a small apartment, I will keep my cabinets painted white. If Audrey Hepburn is doing it, it can't be too wrong.
