White & Bright

Why are white kitchens so appealing? White cabinets and countertops make small spaces appear larger. White surfaces are easy to clean. And white provides a backdrop for decorative touches that reveal your personal style. “Great entry-level collectibles include glass and pottery,” JoAnn notes. Follow her tips for imbuing a white kitchen with prim personality:

1. Replace modern pendant lights over the kitchen island with a traditional six-arm wooden chandelier.

2. Install some glass-fronted upper cabinets to exhibit collections. JoAnn enjoys Fire King jadeite and Watt pottery.

3. Accentuate granite countertops’ black and gray specks with a matte black faucet and chrome cabinet knobs.

4. Paint interior doors and window trim a bold shade of burgundy to avoid a monochromatic feel.

5. Choose earth-toned prairie curtains, homespun runners and towels, hand-hewn wooden objects such as spice boxes and breadboxes, and bowls and woven baskets filled with seasonal fruits to function as rustic counterpoints to the white color scheme.

JoAnn found interesting ways to arrange her collections to heighten their visual impact. In her kitchen, a long peg shelf installed near the ceiling is a home for like items, from Watt pottery to baskets to lard buckets. An array of salt-glazed crocks grouped throughout the room complement the other treasures.