Details in the Kitchen: Part Two

If you have not read Part One of this post then you may want to see where it all starts by clicking on the image below.....

Part Two:
 I have to start Part Two, by telling you that although I was inspired by many of you that have already completed kitchen renovations, I was also heavily inspired by my mother.... who else of course, to make sure that this renovation took on an 'organized' theme.  After years of living in such confusion I was truly looking for something that spoke to the simpler side of life. Nothing too fancy, over the top and out of budget range but something that would last.

So,
remembering that purge is my new mantra you will have to understand that I have really learned to buy less and keep less all at the same time.  Costco does not help obviously for those of you who love that bulk store chain.  I do still go there but I have learned that I really do not need to store all that much food.  It actually makes cooking much more interesting.

So...the Cooking station....

As I mentioned in my previous post, placement of items was a big part of our kitchen design. I figured out what items I need to have handy while working at the stove.

Different types of rice, oatmeal, quinoa, couscous etc.

Utensils, (two top drawers) and cooking utensils in the third drawer.  Still looking for a nice organizer that will work with those.

Right hand side of the stove....

Spice drawer....I love, love this one!!  Ikea once again to the rescue! Spice bottles and the holding tray. 

Herbal, specialty and regular teas along with some coffee beans etc.

My least favourite drawer and something I want to eliminate but right now it is a necessary evil.  Plastic!

We knew we had to have a drawer where we could simply toss in plastic storage containers.  We limited the drawer size so that we would be more organized with the number of containers we needed.

Upper cooking station.....

We needed to ensure that the glassware and mugs were close to the wash-up area. We also decided to keep enough here that we would be using on a daily basis versus enough for entertaining.  I really tried to distinguish between those two aspects of our "kitchen" life.

I love to cook so having this right side of the cooking station available for all these items was really important.  The upper cupboard houses vinegars, oils, and a wide variety of condiments. 

The only thing missing from here was quick access to our knives.  We made a decision based on a concern for safety and visual aesthetics and placed the knife rack around the corner in the pantry.  They are easily accessible and with a cutting board on the counter below the rack it has actually been a good decision for us.  It really turns the pantry into its own work station.

Magnetic knife rack from Ikea....really good deal!

Right around the corner from the cooking station, in the pantry, are knives, measuring spoons, cups and a mixing bowl for easy food preparation.  We have two main cutting boards that we keep out and they too were a real bargain.... from Loblaws at 20$ each.

So, that is the cooking station...more to come in Part Three...I found baskets are a good way to hide the more unsightly necessities of the kitchen!! I will show you what I mean!

Click on the image below to read Part Three......

 

A tantôt