Remember yesterday when our shelves looked like this?
After that, I had fun filling them up (you can watch the time-lapse video without sound and still get the idea):
If you watch, you’ll see I can reach almost everything on the top shelves. The only spot that’s a little awkward is the corner by the window—easy enough to reach while sitting on the counter though.
I didn’t expect to be able to reach so much. I imagined yelling “Joooooohn” every time I needed something up there, or grabbing a step stool in a pinch. But it’s been surprisingly accessible.
Now the shelves are full of things and still very much a work in progress, but they already feel cheerful and useful.
This arrangement isn’t permanent—just a first pass. I’ve already re-stacked some bowls, and plates and dishes get used so the display constantly evolves. Perfectly styling kitchen shelves feels a bit silly since everything gets picked up, washed, and moved, so I made a rule: no obsessing. Nothing is glued down, and John is keeping me honest.
When loading the shelves I tried not to overthink it. I moved things, stepped back, and focused on function—grouping dinner and dessert items together and keeping everyday pieces easy to grab. The top shelves hold items we use less often, like a cake stand, larger serving bowls, a vase, and a special bottle my mom likes. If those items get dusty after sitting in a cabinet, they’ll get a quick rinse and be ready to use.
You can also see how shallow the brackets are compared to the 12″ deep shelves—there’s plenty of storage without the brackets getting in the way.
Function drove most of the placement. Dessert bowls and plates went on the lower right shelf, while large dinner plates, cups, and cereal bowls went on the lower left—close to the dishwasher and easy to reach with no cabinet doors to open. The top shelves hold less frequently used items that still belong in the kitchen. We’ll report back on how this setup works over time.
Here’s the view from the office doorway now—what a difference. We’re still waiting on a stainless dishwasher to replace the current one, and I meant to get a straight-on shot of the window to show how the shelves and cabinet balance 14″ on either side, but that photo is coming later.
For comparison, the room used to look very different from the same spot. The window feels much closer now with the shelves in place.
Back in the present, I’m admittedly giddy—picture me twirling with orchestral music and birds, though in reality it’s more like our kids running around while I grin up at the can lights.
Someone noticed the subtle curves echoed throughout the space: the brackets, round penny tile, and pendants complement the more angular range hood and peninsula. Those happy accidents make the room feel cohesive.
Putting our pretty glassware out in front of the everyday clear glasses means we actually use them more. And yes, I enjoy looking at them—“gazing” sounds less strange than “staring.”
The pops of blue, green, and yellow, plus the two frames I added, make the shelves feel playful. This is not a magazine-perfect after—it’s a collection of things we use mixed with decorative pieces. If a stylist were here they might add more purely pretty items in exchange for less function, which would make John roll his eyes.
Some readers asked about adding a third row of shelves. We decided against it: the second row balances nicely with the top of the doorway, and a third row would be hard to reach and could feel cluttered.
Bracket placement was all about balance. We tested options visually with tape and ended up preferring four brackets on one side to match the other side. Fortunately, the screws lined up with studs, so the shelves feel strong and secure.
In short: we love our tiled wall with bracketed shelves filled with everyday items and a few cheerful accents. The framed pieces say things like “Love Life” and “Squeeze The Day,” which feels fitting. We know open shelves aren’t everyone’s preference, but they work for us. The book photography team is enjoying the space, too, and it’s even better in person than photos or video can convey—so you’re welcome to come see once the book chaos settles down. You’ll know where to find the cups.
Also: the tulips are still alive, which is a small victory. I’ve been meaning to drop a penny in the vase water so Clara can watch them perk up—thanks for all the flower care tips from readers.
Here’s another shot without crown molding and with the patched ceiling visible. We’ll be adding a pendant over the sink soon and finishing the ceiling so we can stop staring at the ripped-up look. The kitchen is a true work in progress, but we’re thrilled with how it’s shaping up and can’t wait for the cork floors to be installed.
For fun, I played around in Photoshop to imagine the finished room. My quick mockups—flat brown for the floor and white for crown molding—don’t capture the texture of the marbled cork floors or the likely lighter, clear-glass pendant, but it was a helpful exercise in visualizing the next steps.
One unexpected bonus: at 5’2″ I can reach almost everything on the top shelves, which was a delightful surprise. The photo crew mostly worked in the bedrooms while setting up lights, so I had uninterrupted shelf-styling time—no photoshoot emergencies, thankfully. In summary: yay shelves. What have you been hanging or filling lately?
Psst—next up: a post about donuts.
UPDATE: We couldn’t love our open cabinets more. Check out a bracket tweak we made and an update on how they function.