41 Comments

I kind of like the charm of the open shelves, displaying all the dry ingredients in the various jars and canisters. Of course you have to keep them a little neater than closed cabinetry. I don't recommend glass doors though. I went that route a number of years ago with my kitchen remodel, and it is not a look I like. Open shelves also show off beautiful Italian ceramics.

Expand full comment

We have open shelves in our studio, and I love them, but for our kitchen this time I feel like options for cabinets, as I have to stash (and hide) so many things in them!

Expand full comment

Really fun to think of renovating. Best kitchen tip I’ve gotten was from my sister: keep what you use, Ditch or store away what you don’t use often. It goes like this, if you can store things elsewhere for a bit, for a month or two, do. only move back the basics at first like utensils, a few plates and bowls, glasses etc. as you need to use items (large pot, sauce pan, grater...) grab them from the storage area and if you use them more than once a week find them a home in your kitchen. If you use it but don’t need it again for a month it goes to storage (a closet, storage area, not sure what you have, I converted an entry that wasn’t be used into a storage closet - my cake decorating things, and a few appliances are kept there) the items you don’t end up grabbing in the 1-2months gets evaluated (if it’s June and you know you’ll use a cookie cutter set at the holidays, store it, but the whisks, spoons, gadgets and appliances you don’t use, seriously consider giving them up) I got rid of half my stuff and realized the things I kept were things I loved and used and it all made my kitchen life easier. The things I stored are out of the way but available to me and the rest found homes where they get used. Have fun dreaming and executing this renovation!

Expand full comment

That’s the wisest advice ever. As there will be months before we will be actually renovating the kitchen, I might start already going through all the utensils and plates and bowls and stuff that are now overcrowding my kitchen. I too appreciate a simple and streamlined kitchen!

Expand full comment

I fully support the full cabinets instead of shelves. Shelves can be gorgeous, but I feel end up being wasted space or require extra unnecessary cleaning. However, if you do feel that the cupboards create a sort of "wall of wood", one thing you can do is have some of the doors have glass fronts, or even partial glass fronts. I did that on the upper third of my upper cabinets, just so it felt a little more airy.

Expand full comment

That’s something I had in my wish list, as I really want tall large cabinets, and I fear the wall of wood effect.

Expand full comment

2 practical tips for your kitchen redo — double check your cabinet order before signing off. It’s not a good thing if your special order cabinets finally arrive and you discover that one was inadvertently left off of the original order that was placed months ago 🙃. And when ordering countertops, it’s worth it to pay the extra $ to have them do the measuring.

Expand full comment

Thank you Rob! They both sound like very wise tips! We just had the architect from the kitchen company doing the measuring! Two big slabs of marble like gres - they’d better fit in the kitchen!

Expand full comment

My kitchen has stainless steel countertops. I love them. I think they might harmonize nicely with your heirloom slab of marble.

Expand full comment

they are very practical indeed!

Expand full comment

And thanks sooo much for the history of your beautiful table!❤️

Definitely the centerpiece!

Expand full comment

I think full cabinets are a good choice.

Shelves look nice but for me (and all my stuff” are not practical.

I do like my glass doors. Also putting a light in the cabinet with the glass door is nice.

Depending on the wood choice, I think can give a warm feeling to the kitchen also depending on the other colors in your kitchen (wall color etc). Deep golds, Sunflower yellow and Sage green are some of my favorites.

Although my kitchen has 3 off white/lt grey walls and 1 accent wall of rustic clay red.

Can’t wait to follow your progress, decisions and big adventure!

Expand full comment

Our walls are all white, and we have a traditional Tuscan ceiling, so we need to balance the colors with that rustic touch!

Expand full comment

Excellent idea or save it for polenta and eggs the next morning!

Expand full comment

Thank you for the link. I will do a trial run before Friday when we have friends coming for dinner. I am making lamb shanks with tomatoes and olives and thought polenta would be perfect to serve with the lamb. I will let you know how it works.

Expand full comment

yes, a match made in heaven! and you could fry any leftover polenta from your trial run as an appetizer!

Expand full comment

What a story about the table! Such memories! I am wanting to build a farm table for us using cedar trees from our land. It could one day tell stories too. So exciting about your kitchen remodel! I will be following along. I too dream of renovating our small space as well but we are in the middle of finishing an outdoor kitchen so that will need to wait. Thanks for including us in your life! ♥️

Expand full comment

I'm very honored to be able to share this with you all!

And, by the way, an outdoor kitchen sounds pretty exciting, too!

Expand full comment

Giulia,

In the same way that we made risotto in the pressure cooker is it possible to make polenta? If so what are the proportions and the timing for a serving for 4-6 people? XE

Expand full comment

Actually I have never made polenta in the pressure cooker, but you can absolutely make it.

Check this article by La Cucina Italiana: https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/how-to-cook/how-to-make-polenta-in-the-pressure-cooker?refresh_ce=

Now I want to experiment with polenta, too! Today I roasted carrots in the pressure cooker, and steamed potatoes. I bought Modern Pressure Cooker by Catherine Phipps, and I'm loving it!

Expand full comment

Terrific. He is happy to help. When you are ready let us know. He will need the dimensions of the room and your wish list.

Expand full comment

The kitchen is the heart of the home Loved your table story it has earned its place 😍When we planned our kitchen a good few years ago I had few non negotiable items We had to have a round table around which friends could sit and chat whilst we cooked , a range cooker with substantial hood Lots of marble workspace Plan your cupboard space leave empty wall if you can for those pictures / photographs (Tommaso’s naturally )to enjoy whilst stirring waiting for deliciousness to be created and of course a bookcase to fill with your books for inspiration It’s your creative family space Keep us posted

Expand full comment

I love how you described this space, and it feels so us!! One thing we do want to add is a couple of frames with photos and illustrations!

Expand full comment

Love the table and its history! I'll look forward to seeing the various stages of transformation of your kitchen in the coming months.

Expand full comment

Hopefully we’ll get to start renovating soon! And I can’t wait to share all the steps!

Expand full comment

I really need to try the Chickpea Cacciucco!! Thank you for sharing it!

Expand full comment

That recipe is a keeper!!

Expand full comment

Dear Giulia,

This is one of Josh’s specialty’s. He is happy to help you figure out a plan. He would need to see a layout of the current kitchen and then arrange a Zoom call with you and Tommy to discuss options and make suggestions. XXE

Expand full comment

Oh Ellen thank you so much!! Let me work on getting everything we need!!

Expand full comment