It feels like it’s been ages since I last updated you on our kitchen progress.
If you were wondering whether you missed the reveal, you didn’t. The kitchen is essentially finished; I’m just waiting for a few final touches. I hope those will be complete in the next couple of weeks so I can do a full reveal post soon.
The rest of the house work has continued too, so the renovation hasn’t been paused. In fact, a lot has happened and we’re very close to wrapping things up. I’ll share photos and more updates soon.
We’ve been cooking in the new kitchen for about three weeks and we love how it functions. Designing this space to fit what we needed was a challenge, as it often is with remodels. We debated many layout and design choices, but we’re happy with the decisions we made. It’s a comfortable kitchen to work in, and I’ll go into more detail about each choice and feature over the coming weeks and months.
One of the first things we tackled, after enjoying meals cooked on our beautiful Beatrix range (she’s as lovely to cook with as she looks), was organizing kitchen tools and pantry items into the new drawers and cabinets. Our dedicated pantry in the mudroom still needs painting before we can use it, but I’m excited to organize that once it’s ready.
We’re still deciding exactly where everything will live, but I’ve bought a few organizers and tools I’m excited to use, so I’ll share those now. I’ll post a more complete tour once everything is in place.
Wood Cutting Board
I love the warmth and practicality of good cutting boards, so I picked up a couple of heavy, grooved boards we’ll use often. I also got a smaller board with a handle for quick tasks like slicing an apple—those are handy and easy to grab.
I wasn’t sure we needed special organizers for spices since laying them flat in a drawer has always worked for me. Still, I tried some clear risers that tilt jars up slightly and they look tidy in the drawer. I was concerned they might not fit in a shallow drawer, but these work perfectly. If you prefer uniform containers, there are spice rack sets that come with clear jars and labels, though I’m fine keeping spices in their original jars.
I’d never owned an electric kettle before but wanted one for this home. With family visiting often, it’s convenient to have a kettle accessible away from the main cooking zone. Part of organizing a kitchen is anticipating how people use the space and placing items where they make sense. We plan to create a dedicated coffee-and-tea area so guests can serve themselves easily; we might even keep a kettle in a guest room.
When our old toaster died, we searched for a replacement and settled on a model I love—the color and design are counter-worthy, so it can stay on display instead of being tucked away. After asking for recommendations, this toaster received great feedback and seems perfect for daily use.
You can’t debut a new kitchen and keep old, ragged towels. I bought a practical set for day-to-day use and have a few nicer towels reserved for display. Having dedicated everyday towels that match the decor makes the kitchen feel tidier and more welcoming. Worn towels go into the rag area for messy cleanups.
I retired our old countertop knife block because it no longer fit our knives. This time I chose a knife block designed to sit inside a drawer so we can keep the counters clear. It fits perfectly and tucks away neatly.
I’m filling our new baggie containers and wrap organizers and already appreciate the order they bring. The wrap set even includes labels for wax and parchment, which makes keeping things straight simple.
We added a few custom features to the kitchen but skipped built-in dividers, opting instead for adjustable bamboo dividers. I ordered long dividers and a set of smaller sizes so we can mix and match as our needs change. They’re an affordable, flexible solution that keeps drawers organized without committing to a permanent layout.
There are a few other new items and built-in cabinet features we’re enjoying that I’ll share in a future post once everything is fully organized.
On the topic of organizing, I have a new book coming out this month called Simply Home. It combines two of my earlier paperback books into one hardcover. I’m excited to share it and will have more details soon.
I’ve previously shared posts with related kitchen and organization ideas, and I’ll link to more inspiration in future updates. For now, I’m deep into organizing and settling into the new space—stay tuned for the full kitchen reveal soon.