As much as I always adored open shelving in my living room and bedroom (where, I confess, it doubles as a bookshelf), it never made sense to bring it to the kitchen.
It goes without saying that this space is prone to splashes and spills, especially around the stove. While I was prepared to tackle the inevitable dust in other rooms, the mess from food prep didn't seem worth it. Then Cameron Diaz changed my mind.
The actress's kitchen storage combines wood-fronted cabinets with open shelves, the latter of which exhibit a collection of crockery that feels personal to her. The tableware is, of course, functional, yet Cameron has made her pieces feel decorative, turning everyday items into ornaments that look beautiful while waiting to be used.
It's one of the chicest yet functional ways I've seen tableware displayed, and it's so easy to follow her example with dishes I already have in my cabinets.
Shop the look
A zoom into the iconic open shelves shows that, when it comes to cookware, Cameron likes to keep things quietly luxurious. Despite the pared-back colorway, the textured nature of these bowls ensures they're interesting enough to deserve a place in the prime area of her kitchen.
Diaz loves to put her culinary skills to the test in her kitchen, and with this comes a glass oil dispenser in a prime place by her stove. This similar piece features a cleverly designed spout that's designed to give a perfect pour and a built-in collar that catches drips to prevent messy rings.
If we had to choose a favorite item from Diaz's shelves, it would have to be her intricate china-style bowl, seen in her curated collection of other painted dishware in various hues. This blue and white bowl exhibits a finely detailed 18th-century Imari Oriental border encompassing a scene inspired by the Italian countryside – a beautiful accessory.
While I am sure Cameron's kitchen is far from compact, open shelves are perfect for small kitchens (such as in my case). They not only provide more storage space, but they also allow me to upgrade unused areas into decorative spaces, where I can display some of my favorite bowls, dishes, and glasses. Nicolle Whyte, the design director at Olive & Barr, agrees.
'Shelving works great in smaller kitchens; it provides both form and function while opening up the space. Not only will the addition of open shelving make your space feel lighter and brighter, but you’ll also have more opportunities to bring your personality to the forefront,' she says.
However, while Cameron's kitchen shelving looks effortless, Nicolle warns that my desired results do take some planning.
'Making open shelving look both stylish and functional does require some consideration as to what you put on the shelves,' she says.
'Those who have an abundance of crockery, glassware, and smaller appliances might prefer to keep their belongings out of sight, without the worry of things needing to feel perfectly styled.' With Cameron's kitchen as a blueprint, however, it's impossible to go wrong. Won't you join me? Let me know what you'd display on yours in the comments below.
