Alicia Silverstone may be closely associated with a high-tech wardrobe full of plaid ensembles in her role as Cher. IgnorantHowever, her current interior style is less retro and more sophisticated, and the actress' kitchen is a perfect example of this.
Actress Silverstone recently posted a video of herself cooking for guests in her modern, minimalist kitchen. The wooden kitchen island, white cabinets, and brass hanging lamps are stunning. Though the kitchen is quite spacious, she makes the most of every inch of storage space with a key feature: open shelving. Silverstone uses a corner of her kitchen to store decorative mugs and china, adding color and charm to the contemporary space.
Both a practical storage solution and an opportunity to show off items that might be hidden behind cabinet doors, open shelving units are a no-brainer choice, as the experts explain.
“This trend could be described as a marriage of functionalism and maximalism,” explains Catherine Jacob, head of design at Hobia. “Individual items on a wall shelf serve a practical purpose, but when displayed as part of a larger assortment, the open shelf and its accessories become like a work of wall art in their own right.”
The location can be completely customized based on your existing kitchen layout, but experts say there are a few strategic places where open shelving works especially well.
“I like to incorporate open shelving as focal points on the sink wall to either side of a window, or on the stove wall to either side of the range hood,” says Mary Dimicino, senior kitchen designer at Bakes & Crops.
Once you've decided where your shelves will go, you can start decorating — just be thoughtful about how many items you place on each shelf, so they don't look crowded, suggests Dimicino.
“When styling open shelves, we recommend sticking to one color or pattern and arranging items like bowls, plates, and glassware together for a clean look,” she says. “In general, less is more.”
Ultimately, Jacob encourages having fun with the process of curating your open-shelf space, as it's ultimately a completely expression of personal taste.
“There's a lot to like here, as the 'always on' display approach demands disciplined organization and careful curation of the kitchen items you love most and use most,” she says.
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