Open or shut? Which type of kitchen storage do you prefer? Some homeowners think open shelving looks cluttered, but others like the way they can access items quickly and check inventory at a glance. Open shelving demands a commitment to organization and ruthless editing, but fans say they like to display their dishware. If something is so ugly you have to hide it behind a closed door, why bring it into your home? Some designers feel open shelving is most appropriate for "old-fashioned" interiors, but fans of streamlined modern kitchens appreciate the style as well. 

The May 2012 edition of House Beautiful featured the kitchen Mary Jo Bochner designed for her 100-year-old, Savannah, Georgia, home. Bochner explained her choice to use open shelving as follows: "I think they look more old-fashioned, and I like to have all my plates and things accessible quickly. I can't stand a lot of doors. That's why I have all drawers underneath. And frankly, my husband always leaves cabinet doors open. So I just got rid of them!" Here is a look at Bochner's kitchen:
"The scale of the chandelier by Tim Adams, from Savannah's Paris Market, and of the antique etageres, from Charleston's South of the Market, creates drama. Then there's the simplicity of IKEA's Akurum/Rationell system with Adel drawer fronts. Hardware by Classic Brass. Double-drawer dishwasher by Fisher and Paykel."
Mary Jo Bochner's 100-year-old house in Savannah, Georgia.
Design by Mary Jo Bochner.
Photography by Trevor Tondro.
Interview by Christine Pittel.
"Kitchen of the Month" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (May 2012). 
 "The Traulsen refrigerator is 11 years old and still going strong. A 48-inch dual-fuel Wolf range is paired with a Wolf Pro Wall hood, equipped with convenient warming lights. 'I use them all the time,' designer Mary Jo Bochner says. 'I just set the food on that steel shelf until I'm ready to serve.' Kenmore microwave by Sears. Woven basket under table from Pottery Barn. Stool from World Market."
Mary Jo Bochner's 100-year-old house in Savannah, Georgia.
Design by Mary Jo Bochner.
Photography by Trevor Tondro.
Interview by Christine Pittel.
"Kitchen of the Month" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (May 2012).
"A Sony TV is tucked into a niche above the refrigerator. Open shelves made with wood salvaged from the torn-down walls hold a collection of white ironstone." 
Mary Jo Bochner's 100-year-old house in Savannah, Georgia.
Design by Mary Jo Bochner.
Photography by Trevor Tondro.
Interview by Christine Pittel.
"Kitchen of the Month" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (May 2012).
"The open shelves look as if they could have been here since 1912." 
Mary Jo Bochner's 100-year-old house in Savannah, Georgia.
Design by Mary Jo Bochner.
Photography by Trevor Tondro.
Interview by Christine Pittel.
"Kitchen of the Month" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (May 2012).
"Soft colors are restful; a custom beige on the walls; Benjamin Moore's Cromwell Gray on the door and White Dove on the trim." 
Mary Jo Bochner's 100-year-old house in Savannah, Georgia.
Design by Mary Jo Bochner.
Photography by Trevor Tondro.
Interview by Christine Pittel.
"Kitchen of the Month" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (May 2012).

The etageres in Mary Jo Bochner's Savannah, Georgia kitchen reminded me of the etagere in Darryl Carter's Washington, D.C. townhouse kitchen:

"An antique Italian etagere in the kitchen; the wine refrigerator is by Sub-Zero, and the range and hood are by Viking."
Washington, D.C. townhouse of designer Darryl Carter.
Interior design by Darryl Carter.
Photography by Simon Upton.
Text by Mitchell Owens.
"Cool, Calm, and Collected" produced by Anita Sarsidi.
Elle Decor (November 2009).
"A glass pendant light hangs above a Valcucine kitchen island fitted with a sink by Smeg; the photography is by Eric Slayton."
SoHo loft of Harriet Maxwell Macdonald and Andrew Corrie, owners of Ochre.
Photography by William Waldron.
Text by Kathleen Hackett.
"Lofty Ideals" produced by Anita Sarsidi.
Elle Decor (November 2010).
 "The Fisher and Paykel range is flanked by steel shelves topped with black granite."
SoHo loft of Harriet Maxwell Macdonald and Andrew Corrie, owners of Ochre.
Photography by William Waldron.
Text by Kathleen Hackett.
"Lofty Ideals" produced by Anita Sarsidi.
Elle Decor (November 2010).
 "Kitchen by Mick De Giulio, De Giulio Kitchen Design. Shelves by American Woodworking; Pusateri Designs brackets. La Cornue stove. Santa Rita stone walls. Jerusalem stone and marble countertop by Gino Rinaldi. Dessin Fournir stools in slipcovers of Rose Tarlow-Melrose House linen. Waterworks faucets."
Provence-style farmhouse in California.
Interior design by Renea Abbott, Shabby Slips.
Building design by Michael Layne.
Photography by Roger Davies.
Text by Degen Pener.
"Passion for Provence" produced by Mary Jane Ryburn.
Veranda (September 2007).

"Kitchen by Mick De Giulio, De Giulio Kitchen Design. Shelves by American Woodworking; Pusateri Designs brackets. La Cornue stove. Santa Rita stone walls. Jerusalem stone and marble countertop by Gino Rinaldi. Dessin Fournir stools in slipcovers of Rose Tarlow-Melrose House linen. Waterworks faucets."
Provence-style farmhouse in California.
Interior design by Renea Abbott, Shabby Slips.
Building design by Michael Layne.
Photography by Roger Davies.
Text by Degen Pener.
"Passion for Provence" produced by Mary Jane Ryburn.
Veranda (September 2007).

"In the kitchen of the 'bunkie house' [a separate guesthouse for the homeowners' grandchildren], a grand French table with lyre bases anchors the room. Custom benches in Rogers and Goffigon fabric. A Verellen chair in linen provides extra sitting room beside a Baker side table. Shelves and pot rack by Bradley Hughes. Best by Broan range hood and Rohl faucetry create clean modern lines."
South Carolina home with views of the Pocotaligo River.
Photography by Thibault Jeanson.
"Marsh Magic" by Linda E. Clopton.
Veranda.
"Open kitchen shelves hold dishes for everyday use. This style can force you to be organized because everything is in plain view. The shelves and how you store your items not only serve an aesthetic purpose, [they] also let you see inventory at a glance. Arrange dishes by color to create an eye-catching visual display."
Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles home of photographer Amy Neunsinger, her husband Shawn Gold, and their children.
Interior design by Amy Neunsinger.
Photography by Amy Neunsinger.
"A Ranch House Makeover" by Alexandria Mott.
"In the kitchen, industrial elements like exposed air ducts, polished concrete floors, and stainless-steel appliances are warmed up with open shelving and vintage accessories and hardware. The wall near the Sub-Zero refrigerator 'needed some life,' so [Amy] Neunsinger hung a photograph of her sons, Jackson, six, and August, three. Island sink by Michael S. Smith for Kallista. Thassos white marble counters and backsplash from Walker Zanger. Viking range; vintage French pendants from Obsolete."
Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles home of photographer Amy Neunsinger, her husband Shawn Gold, and their children.
Interior design by Amy Neunsinger.
Photography by Amy Neunsinger.
"A Ranch House Makeover" by Alexandria Mott.
House Beautiful.

Here is another kitchen with open shelving and exposed ductwork:

"In the kitchen, new stove ducts were left exposed to spare the tin ceiling." The floor was composed of wood salvaged from old barns. " 'I prefer things that naturally look better with age, as opposed to those that feel pristine and perfect,' " says Jenna Lyons.
1890 Brooklyn, New York, brownstone formerly owned by Jenna Lyons, creative director of J.Crew.
Photography by Melanie Acevedo.
Text by Lauren Sandler.
"Totally Modern Timelessness" produced by Kim Ficaro.
Domino (November 2008).  

Peri Wolfman, former vice president of product development for Williams-Sonoma told Elle Decor, " 'I absolutely love tableware, and I want to see it all the time. I love the repetition of things in the same shape.' That means open shelving in the kitchen for 'glasses and more glasses and those ironstone pitchers I schlep everywhere.' " The next two photos provide a peek at the Hamptons kitchen she shares with her husband Charley Gold:
"Open shelves in the kitchen display tableware."
All-metal Hamptons compound of Peri Wolfman and Charley Gold.
Buildings and grounds designed by Jack Ceglic.
Photography by Joshua McHugh.
Styled by Lili Abir Regen.
"White Magic" by Suzanne Slesin.
Elle Decor (June 2008).
"Open shelves in the kitchen display tableware. The Pro 48 refrigerator is by Sub-Zero, the range is by GE Monogram, and the hood is by Best."
All metal Hamptons compound of Peri Wolfman and Charley Gold.
Buildings and grounds designed by Jack Ceglic.
Photography by Joshua McHugh.
Styled by Lili Abir Regen.
"White Magic" by Suzanne Slesin.
Elle Decor (June 2008).
 "Open shelves in the gallery-style kitchen 'keep everything right at hand,' [Lindsey] Bond says."
1950s Birmingham, Alabama, cottage of designer Lindsey Bond.
Interior design by Lindsey Meadows (formerly Lindsey Bond).
Photography by Jonny Valiant.
Interview by Lisa Cregan.
"Modern and Easy" produced by Doretta Sperduto.
House Beautiful (October 2010).
"The designer is a stickler for symmetry and balance. She had the window moved four inches so that it would be directly opposite GE's Cafe range and Profile hood and directly above the GE Cafe dishwasher. It's centered between two Blanco undermount stainless sinks."
1950s Birmingham, Alabama, cottage of designer Lindsey Bond.
Interior design by Lindsey Meadows (formerly Lindsey Bond).
Photography by Jonny Valiant.
Interview by Lisa Cregan.
"Modern and Easy" produced by Doretta Sperduto.
House Beautiful (October 2010).


Ruard Veltman designed the kitchen in the next photo. The open shelving makes dishes accessible from both the kitchen, which is pictured below, and from the dining room via paneled doors that open to reveal an old-fashioned pass-through:
"A custom-made table abuts the kitchen island to create more prep space and encourage sit-down meals. Open shelving offers plenty of storage and is also accessible from the dining room's pass-through."
North Carolina home in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Architecture and design by Ruard Veltman.
Photography by Eric Piasecki.
Styled by Philippa Brathwaite.
Interview by Mimi Read.
"Poetic Vision" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (April 2013).


Here is a photo of the pass-through between the kitchen and the dining room:
 "In between a pair of upholstered doors in the dining room, there's cabinetry that looks like paneling, and when you open it, it's like magic - you can reach into the kitchen's shelves. It's an old-fashioned pass-through. You can put the dishes away in the kitchen after they're washed and take them out again in the dining room when you need them. It's useful and playful. It makes the house come alive."
North Carolina home in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Architecture and design by Ruard Veltman.
Photography by Eric Piasecki.
Styled by Philippa Brathwaite.
Interview by Mimi Read.
"Poetic Vision" produced by David M. Murphy.
House Beautiful (April 2013).


Ruard Veltman, who designed the kitchen pictured above, told House Beautiful that "my visual aesthetic was influenced . . . by Bobby McAlpine. He taught me in architecture school, and I worked for his office right after that. Bobby designs houses that define American style. They blend modernism and tradition in this wonderful way. His architecture has a soul."

Here is a look at a kitchen with open shelving that Bobby McAlpine designed for himself:
"Plush upholstered pieces let dinner guests get comfortable during prep time. Bar stools in cowhide and wing chair, McAlpine Home for MacRae. Stove and refrigerator, GE Monogram. Fittings, Dornbracht. Custom cabinets, island, and shelves."
Architectural renovation and interior design by Bobby McAlpine, McAlpine Tankersley Architecture.
Original architecture by Robert Anderson.
Photography by Max Kim-Bee.
Written by Mimi Read.
"Brave New World" produced by Carolyn Englefield.
Veranda (March - April 2012). 
"The custom countertops and shelving in the kitchen are birch, the oven and cooktop are by Gaggenau, and the antique stove in the foreground is original to the house."
Swedish architect Gert Wingardh's 17th-century cottage on the North Sea Coast.
Design and renovation by Gert Wingardh. 
Photography by Jean-Francois Jaussaud/Luxproductions.
Original text by Robert Colonna d'Istria. 
Elle Decor (January - February 2013).
Originally published in Elle Decoration France.
"Cabinet doors disguise refrigerators, ovens, and wine storage. Custom island, pot rack, and hood. Range, Wolf. Stools, Dennis and Leen, in Great Plains fabric. Limestone walls and floors, Exquisite Surfaces. Antique and vintage faience pottery."
The "chef-grade country kitchen" in the weekend getaway of Napa Valley winemakers Robert Adler and Alexis Deutsch Adler.
Architecture and interior design by Richard Hallberg, Richard Hallberg Interior Design.
Photography by Max Kim-Bee.
"Amid the Vines" written by Douglas Brenner.
Veranda (January - February 2013).

Says Kelly Klein regarding her Palm Beach, Florida, kitchen [below], which is "open for all to see, 'Some people don't like looking at their things. I like seeing my glassware and dishes."
"[Kelly] Klein outfitted the kitchen with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf range, Dornbracht sink fittings, and a custom-made hood."
Palm Beach, Florida, home of Kelly Klein and her son.
Architecture by David Piscuskas of 1100 Architect.
Photography by Nikolas Koenig.
Text by William Norwich.
"Cool and Compact" produced by Carlos Mota.
Architectural Digest (August 2012).

One option for homeowners who do not want to commit to a completely open shelf plan is glass-fronted cabinets. I think a kitchen composed completely of closed cabinets can seem, well - a bit closed. Adding some glass-fronted shelving can open up a space and allow homeowners to reveal a sampling, but not all, of their kitchen collections. For inspiration, take a look at the kitchen of Monelle Totah, vice president of design for Williams-Sonoma: 
Monelle Totah updated her kitchen "with [honed] Carrara-marble counters and stainless-steel appliances [Viking range and Bosch dishwasher], but honored the space's 1920s look by keeping some of the original ceiling-high cabinetry - which contains her overflowing silver and glassware collections - and installing a vintage-inspired nickel light fixture and classic drawer pulls."
San Francisco flat of Monelle Totah, vice president of design for Williams-Sonoma.
Photography by Simon Upton.
"Round-the-World Style" by Martha McCully.
Elle Decor (July - August 2009).

In my own kitchen, I have a mix of closed and glass-fronted cabinetry:
Honed absolute black granite countertops. Miele dishwasher. Wolf range. Faucets and stainless-steel sinks, Blanco. Subway tile, American Olean.
Interior decoration by Kathleen Sams Flippen, Spaces by KSF.
Photo credit: Kathleen Sams Flippen.
Kitchen renovation by Premiere Design and Construction.
Holophane pendant, Shades of Light. Slipcovered Parsons chairs, Ballard Designs.
Interior decoration by Kathleen Sams Flippen, Spaces by KSF.
Photo credit: Kathleen Sams Flippen.
Kitchen renovation by Premiere Design and Construction.

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