Open Shelving in our Farmhouse Kitchen

Finally we’re getting the rest of the open shelving added to the kitchen!  I’ve been talking about it since before Christmas and here it is April, almost 5 months later.  Better late than never and no harm was done except that my nerves were getting frazzled because I was running out of space to store my white ironstone finds.

Open Kitchen ShelvingIf you’ve been reading my previous kitchen posts, you’ll remember that we didn’t have anything on this wall at all.  I’ve had a chalkboard on this wall and at one point hung a small, antique cabinet but they just did’t seem to fit this space.

 

Open Kitchen ShelvesAt first I considered placing 2 shelves on this wall but realized there wasn’t enough space above the bead board, plus it would feel claustrophobic and heavy.

 

White ironstoneI had some pre-made shelves I bought on a whim to use where ever, and thought they might fit here, but the size wasn’t quite right.  So off to Lowe’s we went.

 

Ironstone pitchersWe ended up buying two 8-foot plain pine boards at $10 each and had the Saw Guy at Lowe’s cut them down to 65 inches. We also purchased simple white brackets with curlicues. The brackets came in a pack of 2 for $10.

 

Kitchen ShelfI painted the shelves with the same paint I used on the bead board … an ultra white kitchen cabinet paint. I was happily surprised to find the boards only needed one coat of paint!

 

White ironstone bowlAs soon as hubby finished hanging the first shelf, I got busy playing with some of my ironstone collection.

 

White ironstone bowlI absolutely adore this ironstone bowl I bought at the Geneva Antique Market for $24. I love its imperfections.

 

Daffodil BouquetThe daffodils are in full bloom outside, so I picked a bouquet and stuffed them in my enamel pitcher.

 

Shabby mirrorA little white mirror adds a bit of whimsy and reflects the wonderful light that streams in the trio of windows above the kitchen sink.

 

Open Kitchen ShelvingI love the simplicity of this shelf. It’s understated so the ironstone is able to take center stage.

Open Shelving in a Farmhouse Kitchen via Town and Country LivingHubby hung the second shelf on the other side of the kitchen and it was immediately primped with more ironstone. Total cost for both shelves was a mere $50. We used 3 brackets on each shelf instead of two, partly for added support and also because I think it looks better.  Decorators always say to group things in odd numbers!

Sharing this post at Fabulously Creative Friday

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

57 Comments

  1. I absolutely love your kitchen, and these cabinets are perfect! My kitchen is yellow too and I couldn’t imagine it being a different color. There is something so crisp and clean about yellow and white in the kitchen or bathroom. Love your shelves…..great budget friendly way about it too!

    Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos

  2. I absolutely love this look. if I could build my dream farmhouse it would feature nothing but lower cabs and all upper shelves. You know I love your home. I recently did a Yay or Nay question on my blog about Open Shelving and it was a pretty unanimous Yay. 🙂

    Have a great week! xxoo

  3. LOVE IT! This is the perfect cottage kitchen! How delightful and warm and cozy! The addition of your shelf gives you a space to fill with fabulous finds and I see you did!!! The little hanging basket is so adorable! What a lovely welcoming kitchen!

  4. It looks so nice. I have a similar place above my stove I have been going back and forth with, whether or not to put a shelf or 2 there. Now that I see what it will look like, I think I’ll go for it.

  5. Oh my goodness…you mean you had an empty wall??!! I love the shelf with all the always lovely white ironstone, it’s great!! Wish I had an empty wall to do that, but me, everything is taken!!!! Have a great week.
    FABBY

  6. Love the new shelf….its perfect and needs the 3 brackets for the weight of the ironstone. Its always cheaper when you construct yourself instead of pre made shelves. No empty walls here either!!!!

  7. Your open shelving is lovely Jennifer, and the fresh flowers and little mirror make it even more fabulous. Have a great week!

    xo, Tanya

  8. I am a huge fan of white kitchens, and white jugs, enamel wear and dishes! We have moved to a new house and completed our kitchen reno…I am always looking for ideas on how to display my white jug collection. Love your home,,,,I am your newest follower! Have a great week!

  9. Your kitchen looks bright and airy, so nice. I love the shelf, and how you decorated it and added this wooden board -it’s adding a lot of warmth:)

  10. Jen…this is perfect! So sunny and open and airy! I love the pretty brackets you used and the ironstone looks perfect. I have open shelves at the lakehouse and it’s really fun to change things around on a whim! What a great idea using bead board behind the stove.

    I love that Lowes and Home Depot will cut your wood for you. I’m still waiting for hubs to hang two shelves in my bathroom that I just bought at HD.

    Enjoy this great weather, I don’t know if my daffs are too far gone to cut and bring in, they bloomed during all that rain we had.

    XO,
    Jane

  11. Jennifer, this looks perfect and I love the ironstone, That picher with the daffodils, which are my favorite, is bright and cheery and adds such pep…..love the rug in front of the oven.

    Cynthia

  12. Your new open shelving looks fabulous, Jennifer! You two did a really nice job and the brackets finish them perfectly. So pretty with your things arranged on the one pictured!

  13. Hi Jennifer,

    Your kitchen it truly an example of cottage charm! The white wainscoting, ironstone and curlicue bracketed shelves accented by softly sunlit daffodils are all so warm and welcoming. And, done on a budget! Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

  14. Your kitchen is gorgeous and every detail just perfect! Love the shelves! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! Hugs, Maria

  15. Darlin’, this is absolutely awesome. I so love your shelf and the things you have on it.
    We have never bought expensive shelving, either….we do just as you did.
    Very pretty…
    xo bj

  16. I love open shelving in a kitchen – you and your hubby did a great job! Love all your Ironstone, too. Did there used to be cabinets on that wall?

  17. I just adore the bright, airy look of your kitchen, Jennifer – and your new shelf adds to that pretty look! Love it!!! And your ironstone looks just beautiful on it!!!! 🙂 I’m curious to see how you use the extra shelf in your bathroom. I’m having “what to hang over the toilet” issues right now. lol Tired of seeing that vintage glass cabinet there, and am in a dilemma on what to replace it with. 🙂

    xoxo laurie

  18. I just always love everything you do. Your home is so warm… light and bright. Happy too. It just looks “happy”. Always.
    The new shelves are styled so cute and the little swirls are perfect for hanging goodies from!
    Delightful 🙂