Project Design: Style Your Kitchen Like a Pro

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I’m thrilled to be talking about one of the most favorite spaces in my home as part of the Project Design series…my kitchen! I’m in fabulous company along with these talented designers and bloggers: Carla Aston Designed, Classic Casual Home, Most Lovely Things and Rough Luxe Lifestyle. I’m not a pro compared to these design powerhouses, but I am delighted to share my kitchen decorating tips and ideas with you all today. And it gave me an excuse to snap some new pics of the kitchen, which always makes me happy.

I recently met Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home and Cindy from Rough
Luxe Lifestyle because they were on the High Point Market Design Bloggers Tour, too! I instantly felt like I had been friends with them
for years. They are absolutely lovely and so supportive. (I miss you,
ladies!)

Let’s talk kitchens. Sure, they serve a utilitarian purpose, but my design manifest is that even functional spaces should be beautiful.  My kitchen is in the midst of an open concept living/dining/kitchen combo, so a lot of what I do in the other spaces influences the kitchen, and vice versa. And truly, I skew a bit minimal when it come to kitchen decor.

However, I do have five easy ways to style your kitchen like a pro, which to me means styling it in a way that enhances its beauty and function. Let’s get styling!

Kitchen Styling Tip 1: Add Flowers & Unique Vintage Wares

Flowers have a place in any space, but even more so in a kitchen. They add a pop of color, texture and a seasonal element to liven up the space. I find the best place for me to put my floral arrangements is on the island. This way they’re by the sink so I can (remember to) change the water AND they’re under my pretty linear crystal chandelier.  

This vase is an antique/vintage item I bought from Lillian Greys Vintage Home on Instagram during one of her Thursday sales. Incorporating antique, vintage or thrifted finds into your kitchen decor (such as vintage weight stands, plates, canister, vases, platters, hardware, art, etc.) adds a curated element that is a testament to your style.

Kitchen Styling Tip 2: Incorporate Metallic & Crystal Touches

If you’re new here, you should know I have a profound love for all things metallic and sparkly. Metallics instantly add a polished vibe to most spaces, and I incorporated a chrome finish on my lucite cabinet pulls.

But on my kitchen counters, I incorporate metallics by using a gold utensil holder to corral all my cooking accoutrements, some of which have rose gold handles.

I also recently got a new set of stainless steel cookware, so I display the gorgeous stock pot on the gas stove to add a bit of shiny, which coincidentally plays well off the jeweled backsplash.

At the end of the day, my hope is that my kitchen feels elegant, clean, and bright. 

Kitchen Styling Tip 3: Edit Your Counters

What I mean by edit your counters is clear your countertops of anything you don’t use often so you can make room for beautiful items you do use often. By moving my toaster and blender to the pantry (since they’re seldom used), I had plenty of room to display my Martha Stewart blue stand mixer and food processor.

Also, when you’re buying “countertop” appliances, splurge for the color that best fits your kitchen, if it’s an option. My husband bought me a pink hand mixer when mine bit the dust last holiday season, and it looks colorful and cheery if I leave it out on the counter for 5 days because I’m lazy.

Kitchen Styling Tip 4: Curate Your Accessories

I always love seeing photos of wood cutting boards propped against a kitchen backsplash- they exude warmth and a rustic quality that sadly doesn’t jive with my kitchen because I’d hate to cover up my backsplash! That being said, a marble cutting board/cheese platter totally works and is really handy when I’m quickly trying to plate up something before company comes over.

My other prized decor on my counters are my MacKenzie-Childs flower market canisters. They are very me, and the flowers and crystal knob definitely are repeated design elements seen in the dining and living room areas.

And I even coordinate my kitchen towels- these are simple black and white all purpose towels that I use for drying dishes or wiping counters. I never pass up an opportunity to coordinate my items.

By curating and layering in accessories such as cutting boards, counter top canisters and towels (and even trays to corral spices or olive oils!) you add style, storage and utility to a space. At the end of the day, we all live in our respective homes, so they should feel lived in. 

Kitchen Styling Tip 5: Select Proper Kitchen Furniture

Not all kitchens have an island, but chances are you may have some sort of seating situation in or near your kitchen. If so, selecting the proper furniture can make all the difference in a space.

Initially, we purchased some very visually heavy stools from HomeGoods for our new home, and when we brought them into the space I knew it was a huge mistake. We returned those and bought the ones we currently have. The open back and chippendale/fretwork pattern works far better for our space. Plus, we get to keep the airy and open vibe.

Bonus Tip: Go for a Bold Pantry Door

Sometimes I get in a cleaning frenzy and clear off all the counters with nothing but the bare necessities…yet my kitchen still has some style because of my sexy black pantry door. It’s an unexpected way to bring in some color or style into a space.

Another Bonus Tip: Holiday Decor

I didn’t go too crazy with the kitchen holiday decor this past year since I could quite literally barely walk due to a knee injury, but I did deck out my kitchen barstools with these cute DIY chair wreaths. I should have made some for spring now that I think of it.

Well, I hope you’ve learned a few tips about how to style your kitchen like a pro. My overall goal when styling my kitchen is to make cooking, baking and entertaining effortless, fun, and beautiful.

For even more tips from talented designers, click on the links below:

Carla Aston Designed

Classic Casual Home

Most Lovely Things

Rough Luxe Lifestyle

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