If you're already familiar with Isabella Rossellini's New York farmhouse, the beauty of her pantry may come as no surprise.
The Conclave actress designed a beautiful rural home (named Mama Farm) along with acclaimed architect Pietro Cicognani, and many of its rooms are defined by their natural wooden features. Naturally, this extends into the pantry, where custom Chilean applewood shelves line the entire wall.
In a post, Pietro labels the space as 'pantry perfection,' and consequently, it's serving as an inspiration point as we work through the last of our spring cleaning. Unfortunately, we can't all enjoy a space as sizable as Isabella's (nor can we enjoy the same high-quality wood), but we can replicate her pantry storage ideas on any scale. The secret, designers say, is in her storage baskets.
This four-piece set of wicker baskets would work well for stylish storage in the kitchen or the pantry.
A zoom into the pantry shelves shows that, when it comes to cookware, Rossellini 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 on your shelves.
These nesting baskets will look great in any modern rustic kitchen ideas, and are made of hand-woven, eco-friendly water hyacinth. They're the perfect starting point when looking to replicate Rossellini's technique.
Isabella has collected a trio of wicker storage baskets (much like these from Amazon) on various shelves in her pantry. If you're working with shelves as large as this, you can space them out, as she has done. However, if you are navigating a small kitchen or pantry, Claire Garner, of Claire Garner Design Studio, recommends stacking your baskets on top of one another.
'I always recommend stacking baskets as they provide a space-saving solution and prevent items from being lost or forgotten at the back of shelves,' she says.
'Wire baskets [such as these from Amazon] are perfect for adding rustic charm, while clear baskets offer a sleek, modern touch. The open design of these baskets makes it easy to see what's inside, simplifying the process of keeping track of your pantry contents.'
Next, Isabella has kept her dried goods concealed (likely in the wicker baskets), which contributes to the sleek, minimalist feel of her pantry. However, Claire reassures that you don't need to keep everything hidden, especially if you easily want to keep track of what you have left.
'For storing dry goods like grains, pasta, and snacks, glass jars with wooden lids are an excellent choice. They not only add a refined, sophisticated look to your pantry but also allow you to see the contents at a glance, ensuring both style and functionality,' she says. 'These jars create a cohesive and organised appearance while keeping items fresh.'
'The key to effective pantry organisation is visibility. By making sure everything is in clear view, whether in stacking baskets or transparent jars, you reduce waste and avoid overbuying. Keep frequently used items within easy reach and group similar products together to make retrieval simple. This approach not only enhances the practicality of your pantry but also elevates its overall design.' When in doubt, use Rossellini's space as a blueprint, and go from there.
