Display a few favorite dishes in the kitchen
When Dan and I downsized and moved into our little home by the lake, we had to rethink how we use so many of our spaces, the biggest one being our kitchen and dining areas.
In our larger home, we had a kitchen and breakfast nook, separated from the formal dining room by a swinging door.
We could entertain large groups in the dining room, and no one ever had to see the horrific mess in the kitchen.
Now, there are no secrets. Our snug galley kitchen opens right into our cozy dining area. Since we don’t have room for more than six guests at our table, our parties flow into the kitchen space. So, I thought long and hard about how to decorate my kitchen and dining area. I want the spaces to be lovely to look at, but since these are hardworking rooms, the displays also had to be functional.
All of us have a few key spots in our kitchens that we like to decorate. For me, the counter tops are just asking for a tableau or two. Since counter space is at a premium for most of us, these arrangements need to be efficient. This grouping next to my stove, on the side closest to our dining table, acts like a buffet. The dishes are at the ready for a quick breakfast or dinner. And, when not in use, they look gorgeous. Can you pull some of your prettiest dishes and serving pieces out of the cabinet and put them to work in daily displays?
This little grouping is to the right of my stove. I can’t say no to a pretty dish, and have accumulated more than I am willing to admit, so this gives me a chance to rotate pieces from my collection out where I can see them every day. They just make me smile. This kind of display may not be practical for those of you who are cooking every night or who have young kids. But Dan and I are at that stage of life where we just don’t cook that often, preferring to grab a lit bite from the fridge or get some carryout on the way home from work. So, our counter tops don’t get as much action as they used to.
Dan and I love to have casual get-togethers now, where friends stop by after work for a drink and appetizers. So, I have created a pretty bar on my kitchen island, next to the sink, where it’s easy access from the dining area. Since we often grill out when we entertain, we don’t need this area for food prep. If your counters are busy holding dinner makings, you could create a bar on a side table in your dining area. All you need is a lovely silver tray to pull it all together.