no uppers for me

i've decided.  no upper cabinets for this girl.  the kitchen will do without, and i will find ways to optimize the storage space for the many things a well equipped kitchen needs - the rest; to good will.

the upper cabinets, unless they are part of a huge wall with no counter space in between, can wind up looking heavy and restrictive.  i would love to see more art in the kitchen.  i like this chalkboard fad - that can be good (and practical).  its nice to see menus from favorite restaurants, or special gatherings (and inspirational for those of us who dread that "what is for dinner" question).  and i can't get with open shelves, although i do like the way they look when done right.

a few good examples of this look, and how to do this effectively, below.

image via La Dolce Vita

love hardware.

via Everything Fab

open, airy, delightful.  those windows are amazing!

James D. LaRue Architecture Design

so much light!  the uppers take up full walls as not to be considered "upper cabinets" but more of a pantry style look. 

and i have to sneak a little bit of my favorite color in too

Pretty Little Houses

it's the Smeg.  i fall for it every time.  so cute.  and for those of you who know me, no problem that it is not going to hold a lot of stuff - our fridge is usually kinda, well... not so full.  i am following in the footsteps of my mother.  if there is nothing in the fridge, might as well go out to dinner.

and now for organization........... 

BHG 11 clever storage solutions

and

also from BHG.com

all makes perfect sense.  and while we are at kitchens, one of the most favorite kitchens i have ever been in (outside the ones of my  youth that conjure up sicilian gravy on the stove, or krumkrakkars) was a little galley kitchen overflowing with furniture, including a sofa.  it was lovely.  the house was not open concept, and we all know that everyone winds up congregating in the kitchen.  cindy put a sofa in her petite kitchen and hours were spent laughing, reading or drinking - most likely a combination of the 3.  and now that open concept spaces are becoming more common, i think i will work with it and still find that sweet spot for a sofa.