When it comes to kitchen inspiration, we're constantly coming back to none other than The Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. While her Instagram page boasts a wealth of delectable recipes, the design of her culinary space is just as bookmarkable. We're particularly into a recent video she posted with her husband, which showcases her lovely open shelving unit.
A home trend everywhere from the living room to the bathroom, open shelving is beloved for its sleek appearance and showcasing abilities. If you've been considering trying it out for yourself, the experts remind us there are a few strategies to keep in mind.
'Styling open shelving comes down to your own personal style,' says String Furniture CMO Bo Hellberg. 'Experiment with your style, and don’t overwhelm the shelves.' While it can be tempting to utilize open shelving as an opportunity to display tons of prized possessions, less is often more.
'When it comes to styling my own shelves, I have found that selecting just a few beautiful pieces to display can make the most decorative impact and be the most sentimental,' Bo says.
Bo Hellberg is the CMO at String Furniture – the storage powerhouse hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. In 2020, String Furniture was awarded Furniture Supplier of the Year, but the basis of String's designs has shaped storage habits since 1949. In 1952, String shelves (now String Furniture) were ordered to decorate the newly built UN headquarters in New York City.
To narrow down what you want to display, Bo suggests thinking about the different tones we want to work with. 'Coordinating different colors on your shelves is another simple and effortless way of making these pieces stand out and decoratively tie a room together,' he explains.
Ina's approach of neutral, ceramic dishes along with glasses is a foolproof plan for those wanting a simple, refined appearance on their shelves.
Finally, going back to basics can be one of the best ways to look at open shelving; everyday dishes and glassware often get thrown behind a cupboard door or into a dishwasher, so if you have pieces you are particularly fond of, open kitchen shelving could be the solution.
'Many forget that storage can be part of the interior design scheme, and by displaying and styling our objects, we can merge function with decoration,' Bo says.
Shop the Ina Garten-inspired edit
This stackable set of four cereal bowls is both functional and stylish in a muted gray.
We love these crafted bamboo dinner plates, which are highly durable and visually pleasing.
These stylish, double walled mugs keep drinks warm and look sleek on the shelf.
-
Should you choose your paint color or your furniture first? Trust me, there is a right order if you want a cohesive schemeDesign has no strict formulas. Nevertheless, there is a sensible and a not-so-sensible order to approaching designing a room – we ask the experts what comes first, paint color or furniture choice?
-
The ultimate summer barbecue menu – stylish, seasonal, and so easyFrom our home-made rub and our best-ever grilled lamb to our smoky lapsang souchong ice cream and whisky cocktail, we can help you get your summer barbecue party started
-
Dinner party faux pas? Ina Garten says this common gift is a big mistake (and what to bring instead)'Everyone’s arriving and then all of a sudden... you have to figure out what to do': The Barefoot Contessa breaks this dinner party custom in favor of this alternative
-
Ina Garten uses a French-inspired rolling pin for perfect dough – the handle-less design will change how you bake (for under $10)The Barefoot Contessa uses a traditional European pin, with a clever tapered design that offers total control over your dough – and it's so affordable
-
Ina Garten swears by the only roasting pan you'll ever need – it cooks vegetables and meat to perfection for under $100This roasting pan keeps everything well-cooked in Ina Garten's Hamptons kitchen – it's stylish, durable, and easy to use at an affordable price
-
Ina Garten's storage pantry is an insightful window into all of the best cookware used by the chef – and it's easy to recreate on your kitchen shelves from $48
The beautiful dishware in The Barefoot Contessa's Hamptons pantry showcases the tools she uses most often to cook – this is exactly how you replicate it
-
Ina Garten uses this multi-purpose basket to bring order to her East Hampton kitchen – it's Vietnamese-designed and currently under $34
The Barefoot Contessa shared the specific basket she swears by to keep her kitchen organized – it's now at one of the lowest prices we've seen
-
Ina Garten's spring dining table challenges design conventions – she's mixed 'things up thoughtfully' (and it's so easy to recreate)
The Barefoot Contessa's tablescape features mixed and matched chairs, colorful napkins, and gorgeous floral arrangements for a unique seasonal set-up
-
Ina Garten's kitchen bowl set allows you to 'prep, mix, and bake like a pro' – it includes every size you could ever need (for under $49)
The Barefoot Contessa's bowl set has influenced culinary habits since 1905 – they're ultra-strong and nest inside one another for space-saving storage.
-
Ina Garten depends on this iconic stand mixer for perfect recipes in her East Hamptons kitchen – it's on sale now for under $350
The Barefoot Contessa is loyal to the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer – a beloved model that counts Jennifer Garner and Selena Gomez among its users
