Don’t you just love tweaking? You know, it’s when you have something nice, but you know it could be nicer. That happened to me in my office/pantry.
(Before)
When we were working on my office/pantry during the remodel, I had the builder leave space at the end of the cabinets/counter so I could put our old oak icebox in the space. It looked cute and was perfect for storing placemats and napkins.
(Before)
I hung my little French wall clock above it and called it a day.
(Before)
I didn’t want the microwave in the kitchen, so I placed it on my pantry bake station countertop, but that plan just didn’t work. It took up too much space when I was knee-deep in flour, sugar, baking pans, measuring cups, and mixers. There had to be a better way, I thought.
Enter IKEA. I found this four-basket stand and put it together myself, thank you very much. The microwave fit perfectly on it.
However, I didn’t stop there. I bought little wooden pieces at Michael’s and painted them with chalk paint. I attached them to each basket with twine.
This basket system has made me more organized. One basket holds all of our energy powders and bars that we use for bicycling.
Another holds our cycling water bottles.
The third holds our reusable market bags.
I line the fourth with trash bags, and yep, it holds our trash. (We don’t have much regular trash because we recycle and use the disposal for foods, so we only need to empty it once weekly).
That little IKEA stand worked so well, that I was inspired to keep going. With the help of Mr. Autumn, I added two shelves above.
Originally, these canisters were inside of a pantry cabinet, and they took up too much space. They are so much better here.
Instead of storing my staples in these vintage jars, they were still in their original bags and boxes in the cabinet, too. I have a lot more of these jars in the basement and can double-up on the shelves if needed.
Since I removed the microwave from my bake station area, there is so much more room.
Having a bake station in the pantry is the perfect way to make a mess while baking but still keep the kitchen nice and neat.
This little corner of my world is so much more efficient now. And by the way, that’s my Julia Child pegboard you see there on the right.
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CALLING ALL KITCHENS
Jordan and I are looking for five guest bloggers to share their kitchens with our readers in September. Please email us if you are interested.
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Take care.
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Oh this looks wonderful and I love the tags you made! You are just so organized!! I was showing my husband your pantry and bake area a while back and he really liked it so I am hoping that when we build he will make an area like this for me.
So neat and organized,I need to get in my pantry and do more than tweak though!,it needs a major over-haul,teehee.
I just love organization and seeing yours is inspiring. Cute tags.
Your cabinet and organization turned out great! Very inspiring for all of us who need to organize! 🙂
Jennifer
So love the Ikea cabinet with the baskets…Not only does it give you lots of storage, it is a beauty!! Goes so well in the kitchen!
I want a walk in pantry with a baking center!!!! I love how you have it so organized!
Oh, how I would love to have this room! I can’t imagine how wonderful it would be to be able to spread everything out on that lovely counter and be able to make a mess without having to worry about my kitchen (which can be easily seen from the front door).
You ladies rock!
My blog was recently nominated for the “Sunshine Award” which you can read about in tomorrow’s post. My job is to pass it on to 10 other bloggers so I’m nominating your site!
Your blog is one of my favorites and I love seeing how beautiful you make your homes so I am happy to be able to pass this award on to you. You can also read the “rules” of this award in tomorrow’s post. Here’s the link:
http://faithlovejoyhope.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/award-time-continued/
Remember, the link won’t be live until tomorrow.
Blessings!
~Anna
My dream walk in pantry! I love how it looks. Everything is in the right place.
great job!
But what did you do with the wonderful old ice box? We have one which my family used at our summer cabin before we had electricity and I would never part with it.
There are probably a lot of us who are a bit “green with envy” over a pantry big enough to house a baking center……lol! Just kidding — well, maybe not totally kidding! I, too, have utilized those IKEA Expedits in many different ways & think they are the best thing since sliced bread. I really like all your vintage mason jars.