Comments on: Open Shelves

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:45:26 +0000

Hi Tamsin,
If they are actual wood you should be able to use gloss paint, but if you have laminate like me, cupboard paint is really good. Crown and Dulux make it and you can get it in a few colours. Would love you see yours when they are done

By: Tamsin

Tamsin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:53:04 +0000

I took the doors off some of my cupboards and it improved the look staight away. Anyone know what kind of paint I should use to tart the shelves up a bit. I presume it’ll have to be some sort of specialist paint with them being covered wood (MDF I think???).

By: Kath@Parklover

Kath@Parklover — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:13:23 +0000

I have some open shelves which I love – they are tall slim metal catering style ones, thus no problems with dust. I have some posh teatowels from Heal’s that have magnets attached, so if any part of the shelves are looking unsightly, I attach my posh teatowel to the sheld above and obscure the mess. I am sneaky!

By: PS~Erin

PS~Erin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:20:12 +0000

I don’t think I could handle it, but I do love the look of them. And I love those glasses in the last picture. Maybe I’d feel the need to display them if I had them, but I think I’d still just opt for glass front doors.

By: Juliette

Juliette — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:04:44 +0000

after doing this in 3 different kitchens, I have finally learned my lesson: no open shelves in the kitchen. If they are near (not even over or next to, but near) a stove, you will get some kind of cooking grease/dust goop on them unless you have a wind tunnel of a fan over your cooktop.

If they are far from your cooktop, you get dust. Also, they likely then far from where you will use them often, making them likely not a great location.

Regardless, if you don’t use every single thing on your open shelving often enough, they get dusty or cooking grease/dust combo, which is super hard to clean off if it builds up for a while (like on on a cake stand).

Another thing: whatever’s on those open shelves is on display. Make sure it looks good on display. =)

They CAN work, but be very very careful. I’m into glass doors or just plain old closed doors. Maybe your kitchen is a good fit for open shelves, or you’re determined =)

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:25:06 +0000

Very Pretty! I’ve just renovated my kitchen, but haven’t shown it as I need to find more happy items like these ones.

By: teresa

teresa — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:41:35 +0000

IN our little hamlet I have open shelves and love them! I would do it all over again!
Love the new look of your blog. =)

By: HomeBaked

HomeBaked — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:18:20 +0000

I think they look gorgeous but I’d be worried about more breakages that way – especially as I’d want my best items to be out there on show. The dust would be an issue for me too, our old victorian house is prone to a lot of dust!

By: Tamsin

Tamsin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:50:35 +0000

Great post, I’ve never thought about open shelves, but love the idea! I think this may be happening in my kitchen very soon as I hate my cupboards with a passion.
I don’t think my hubby’s going to be too pleased when I make the suggestions I feel a kitchen make over coming on……

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:21:07 +0000

Claire thanks so much for the tips on buying a dishwasher. I will be asking advice because I’ve never owned one and I want to get a good one x