The Simple Wine Rack

I've begun drinking wine again and am growing quite a little collection, currently the bottles are lined up on my built-in wall buffet. I've decided that investing in some type of wine rack might be good for the integrity of the look of my home. There are so many types of wine racks to choose from and so far I've managed to narrow down the style I want: simple.

The above pictured wine rack is really quite ideal, except for the fact that I never at any given moment have that much wine; I suppose I drink it much faster than I can save it. So while I love this straight forward timeless wine rack it is much too big.

The line of metal circles that shelves the wine rack is cute, modern, unique, clean looking and simple. But the placement of the wine rack is too final as it seems to be attached to the wall and one-by-one at that. I can only imagine the time it would take to move the wine rack should you want to.

Here is the simple wine rack I am looking to get for my home. Housing about 8 bottles it is the perfect size and should I need more space I can simple buy (or make) more. This style of wine rack is simple enough to make (DIY style) which is another added bonus, I will most likely forego the wine glass holder on the bottom for simplicity's sake. Imagining a row or column of two or three wine racks of this style on my gray dining room walls makes me feel that I have found the perfect wine rack- I'll take that as a big hint that I can now stop looking.

Small Kitchen - Loads of Character

I have lived with more than my share of small kitchens, while as a food enthusiasts I would of course prefer to have a large kitchen with room to spare small kitchens really aren't all that bad. It can keep one imaginative on ways to add extra storage and on how to dupe the senses that the kitchen is larger than it actually is. Another plus to small kitchens (or small anywheres!) they are much easier to decorate due to their lack of space.

Below are a few choice pictures I was able to pick-out of small kitchens with loads of character to help inspire you transform your own small kitchen, should you have one, into something fun and/or beautiful!

New shelves in my pantry

Originally, I had an old bulky stand alone shelf in the corner, it was a real eye sore but it did the trick in terms of storage for the time. I had always planned to put up wall shelving in its place it just took a great long while, but it's finally up! Thanks to my awesome handy husband. 

We were able to buy all the wood items to create the shelf from Ikea, even the wood island is a purchase from Ikea that we made a couple of years ago, it makes a convenient table right next to our washer and dryer. I'm so blown away by how much more beautiful the change made the mudroom/pantry that I just had to share it!

Below are some inspirational pictures of really great looking pantries that boast open shelving.

Flemish Kitchens

The Flemish kitchen favors simplicity and utility, thus exposed shelving, minimal decor and large open spaced kitchen where kitchen and dining area are one can be seen as very important aspects and are characteristics often not missed in the Flemish and Flemish-inspired kitchen. If there is to be any detail worth noting that goes beyond simplicity and utility it would be the tile-work and in more exquisite traditional Flemish kitchens, the fireplace. While both the tile-work and fireplace may still be seen in today's standards as being rather simple, for the traditional Flemish kitchen it is worth noting. Above and below are a few examples, pictures of the look of the traditional Flemish kitchen style.

FLEMISH INSPIRED KITCHENS

Above and below are a few examples of beautiful modern Flemish-inspired kitchens. Characteristics such as simple tile-work, the use of wood, commune tables, large open spaces, vintage style ovens and open shelving are examples of how the Flemish kitchen has inspired these pictured.

Rustically Charming Kitchens

My husband and I moved into our very first home last year, it'll soon be exactly a year since we've moved in. Being the procrastinators we are (for some things more than others) we have yet to complete a couple of rooms, budget has much to do with this too of course- sometimes, you just need to prioritize, sadly. On a happier note, I think we're finally bearing down and have come to the conclusion that yes, the kitchen has to be done soon, real soon. While most things are situated and the general style (rustic & charming) is coming through from the cabinetry, counter-tops and our choice to have open shelving, we have yet to put in a couple of other vital decor and wall-storage items that will be... room-changing. 

So as my husband and I pass the lull of "taking a break" from our kitchen duties/fixes, we are now amped and ready to start again our kitchen project. Hence a few pictures I would like to share that I've been staring at as of late, these pictures help to stir up some of my kitchen-tied emotions (I find cooking and eating emotional, amongst other things) and they also help me to remember what it is that I am looking for in my own kitchen.

The Portable Buffet

When it comes to talking buffets I immediately find myself wondering 'portable or built-in?' My home came with a built-in buffet and since my home was erected about a century ago it's no special feature, I find that most old homes have the built-in buffets. The built-in buffet has many great aspects to it, the most obvious one being you move into a home that already has a beautiful buffet in an alcove like setting. But a part of me so loves the portable buffet, afterall, you can't move the built-in buffet to a different area of the room and you can't pick the style of buffet you so desire, plus, there's just something so charming about a stand-alone buffet that was placed exactly there to house your beautiful China or other dinner-setting whatnots.

In the back of my mind I've definitely been toying with the idea of how great it would be to get a buffet, even though the fact that I already have a built-in one stops me from squandering money in such a way (my husband is in my head!) and for awhile there I did stop thinking about the buffet, but then I saw the Emmerson Buffet by West Elm with it's rustic charm and it's simple design... so now I'm back to fantasizing about portable buffets.

WEST ELM

EMMERSON BUFFET, $849

So the Emmerson Buffet inspired me to imagine a life with a portable buffet, a buffet that can charm me everyday with its rustic charms.  My honest opinion on the West Elm Emmerson Buffet? I absolutely love it! Price? Fair, but that fair price is still too expensive for me, especially for a piece that looks like it can be made in your garage (though I'm absolutely sure it is a lot harder to make than I give it credit for). 

So on I go with the hunt for an equally charming and rustic buffet!

CRATE & BARREL

CUCINA PINOT GRIGIO SIDEBOARD, $1,299

The Cucina Pinot Grigio Sideboard by Crate & Barrel is priced at $1,299! While it is a beautiful piece the price is all I can pay attention to, although in the back of my mind someone or something is whispering 'you get what you pay for'- And while this may be the truth for some things is it true for the portable buffet? Hmmm. The Cucina Pinot Grigio Sideboard has plenty of space to store items with pegged shelving for extra storage for larger items, I can picture a set of beautiful collector urns all in a row sitting down below.

COST PLUS WORLD MARKET

ANTIQUE BLACK VERONA BUFFET, $399.99

For $399.99 Cost Plus World Market has the Antique Black Verona Buffet. While I think that red would have made for a more rustic and charming look Black is, I have to admit, rather chic. The Antique Black Verona Buffet features an overall appearance of chic (via color) and rusticity (via design *ahem barn-inspired doors). With storage for wine, two exposed shelvings and enclosed cabinet space the Verona Buffet is very user friendly.

IKEA

LIATORP SIDEBOARD, $350

But my favorite buffet today is Ikea's Liatorp Sideboard. Not only is the price right but I've completely fallen for the side glass cases and the center exposed shelving. The white color lends itself to charm and a country-vibe. I look at the Liatorp Sideboard and I can imagine it in so many other places other than the dining room serving as a buffet (although yes, it would be quite beautiful there), but what about the bathroom? Even the nursery! - Oh~ that is exciting.

Rare Picks for Soap Dishes

Areaware Offer Hand Soapdish $65
Terrain Mesh Soap Dish, $7.95 (ON-SALE NOW!)
Costplus World Market Ivory Whale Soap Dish, $6.99

The square soap-dish with floral designs or whatever it is they decide to adorn it with are a dime a dozen.  I'm always looking for something different and unique, and if you've got a quite minimal look going on in your bathroom or even kitchen (where a soap dish can double as a sponge holder) then a truly cute, stand-out soap dish can really make a difference.

The top-picks for "stand-out" soap dish comes from Areaware, Terrain and Costplus World Market.  Each with their own specific attitude it's hard not to be interested, simply looking at these soap dishes make you feel something, and for such a simple over-looked item such as a soap dish to do that is quite unique.

Switching-Up The Functions Of Your Furnishings & Decor, A Great Way To Think Outside The Box

Who would have thought that a kitchen island wasn't a kitchen island and a cupcake tier wasn't a cupcake tier.  Chopping board by day and bathroom storage by night!  Switching up the functions of your furnishings and decor can't get any better than this... then again, there are new surprises everyday!

the kitchen island in the bathroom now consists of "His" and "Hers" drawer and functions mainly as exposed shelving for bathroom supplies, towels and weave baskets full of other bathroom goods.

At a width of about 3'11" and a height of almost 3' this affordable kitchen island ($100.00) from Ikea makes a great rustic-looking bathroom counter top and storage for a bathroom space that is of medium size.  The natural birch wood can be treated with oil should you be worried of moisture damage (though I haven't treated mine and seems to be doing quite well without it) and can also be painted to the color(s) you desire to custom match it to your bathroom or any other space you wish to use it for storage.

Another kitchen item that makes for a beautiful bathroom decor or even vanity table decor is the 3-tiered cupcake holder that serves as a unique and adorable way to store your cosmetics and hair supplies, even try it as a jewelry stand!

I purchased the above 3-tier cupcake stand at Costplus World Market for $20.00 and have used it only twice for birthday cupcakes.  Costplus may not have this exact style anymore but I have seen recently a rather modern 3-tier wire cupcake stand in it's place ($20).  A great affordable buy with a variety of functions once you can look past the "cupcake stand".

Item of Note: Anthopologie's Potbelly Bookends

Anthropologie's online exclusive hand-carved from pine wood Potbelly Bookends.  Perfect for your kitchen workspace lined with cookbooks and things.  At 8"h x 9.5"h x 7"d x 8"d these little porkers are big enough to be noticed and the best part?  Paint to your liking to accent your kitchen colors or leave as-is for that raw farm feel.

Potbelly Bookends $148.00 @ Anthropologie