Work Zone in the Kitchen Part 2
In case you missed it, I snuck in a non-kitchen post during the week — some books you might be interested in! Including some for Father's Day perhaps? I'm always up for book talk and curriculum talk, even if a bit distracted with the far-reaching kitchen reno. For instance, since everything got thrown into other rooms, all of those not to mention the garage need re-organizing! It's overwhelming!
Anyway, last Saturday I showed you how I think in zones in the kitchen and how my storage is organized accordingly in the main work area that is what it is due to windows, doors, fireplace, etc. This week I'm showing you the other side and answering the burning question of where the dish towels are.
I have been in kitchens where things are not in reach of the job that needs to be done and I want to say, that's all very well when you're young and have time on your hands, but a busy situation with hungry children running in and out demands that the housewife use her brain and come up with some time-and-motion management!
No kitchen is perfect.
Even if you started from scratch in a brand-new build, you'd later realize all the oddities. And it's not what you might think, either — more square footage and more cabinets does not necessarily equal efficiency! In fact, I learned in my little duplex apartment in Washington DC with three small kids that a little galley kitchen can save you in the sheer exhaustion from all the steps department. I liked being able to turn to reach things vs. jog back and forth — especially when I was pregnant!
I certainly don't have a galley kitchen today! Yet I don't have a lot of working space either. I'm grateful I have space for a table and chairs and even a rocking chair. So… just like you… I work with what I have. All of this is not to incite envy, I hope, but to show you how my mind works and worked even in the previous iteration of this kitchen, which I actually loved.
I had the opportunity to redo it because of its decrepitude, and I tried to apply all the principles and experience while remaining true to my actual aesthetic, which doesn't aim for any kind of slick look!
So you will see a lot of things that are not “styled” though I think they do express my style, and that says a lot about me, I guess.
Let's get oriented:
Over on the left is the fireplace and other side where I really do all the main work.
Okay, let's tour the organization!
This little wooden shelf was in the old kitchen under the plate rack by the table. It fits right here at the end of this row of cabinets. I keep the tin cups for children, the paper napkins, a basket in which we can put our cloth napkins (it has napkin rings in it) when the table is cleared, plus some different cloth coasters for keeping track of all the glasses when there are a lot of people. And a left-behind baby toy. And a set of colored pencils in case anyone suddenly needs to color.
The small box holds scotch tape and other sundries — it held something we purchased, can't remember what; it is a well made sturdy little drawer of a box, so I mod-podged some pretty paper on it.
On that counter on the end is the “tea center.” I had longed to get the tea prep out of my main work area. It's hard to unload the dishwasher and get breakfast ready, much less have someone else — another body in the space — unload, while someone is also making tea or coffee right there.
Since I knew I was getting rid of the counter where my electric kettle was (see further down), I made the plan to have the tea center on this side of the room.
I would still like to find a little wooden cabinet of the right size for on the counter, but for now these little random shelves are fine. I borrowed the wood one from the pantry where it was holding my medicinal herbs. I'm sure something will come along!
The sink, Berkey, tea things, mugs, and paraphernalia including for making cocktails and opening wine, which can be done here if I'm very busy on the other side, are all right here, including extra things in this drawer:
I need potholders on this side as well for when I pull something out of the oven here. So these items are very much at the point of first use. Those gray things on the right in the drawer came with the fridge — they are for stabilizing a bottle of wine on a fridge shelf. There are two in the fridge already; these are extras. In my mind they go with “drinks paraphernalia” so this is where they are stored.
Below that drawer is the recycling drawer. My cabinetmaker, as I told you before, was very concerned to make this sort of thing for me! I wanted the trash under the sinks for sure as I explained in the last post. But we were eliminating the place where the recycling went before, which was a big wooden box at the end of the counter by the door:
I still love that box, which was from my parents'-in-law's old house, but of course it wasn't actually the best view as you came in! It's in the garage and maybe I'll figure out another use for it.
By the way, you can see the kettle on that now-gone counter. Just not the best place — but the only place at the time — for someone to be puttering around with their tea, by definition not moving fast because, no caffeine yet! Imagine so many people going in and out right here…
(This is the new kettle — affiliate link. When the lid of our old one malfunctioned due to bad design, being attached, which is unnecessary, I decided to get this one. The lid comes off, so no hinge to break, and the thermometer helps greatly when warming water for the sourdough.)
Look up for mugs and teapots (others in the pantry):
Here is the cabinet under the sink.
Since the sink is much wider than standard (it's about 42″), this cabinet is big!
It's a bonus that the Instant Pot is quite cozy in there!
For the record, here's the other sink, my main one across the room — I didn't show it last week:
The drying rack hanging on the door came with the sink. I never ever use it! I keep thinking I will…
Do you use yours?
Now going to the left of the oven and sink:
The red area first:
Top drawer:
I have so many eating utensils (blue handled) from so many decades of serving so many people that I really don't need them all over in the island, and the kind of dividers I got for over there don't hold everything anyway.
So the extras are here for when I need them, plus serving items, gadgets, and sundries that I use occasionally, not often. According to minimalist theory I should just get rid of them, but like I said before, when you need them, you need them! I store the blender blades here because I sometimes use mason jars (the narrow opening ones fit them) rather than my blender jar.
The next drawer down:
These are sandwich bread pans that I don't use often anymore, extra bowl and pyrex baking dishes and pie plates, etc.
Bottom drawer:
I used to have my food processor on my main counter in my baking area. But I realized I use my Kitchenaid much more and this could certainly be stored away, as I use it maybe once every couple of months.
By the way, someone commented about the drawers holding the weight — they certainly do! I questioned the cabinetmaker about the big long one in the island that holds all my dishes. He said it is rated for that and the only issue they ever had was a lady who stored her stone pottery dishes in there; they simply gave her stronger screws! So these drawers are made so sturdily I must say!
Now the green area:
Top drawer — Misc./junk!
That's just about as organized as that is ever going to be! I do so appreciate that it pulls out all the way, as do the other drawers. It's just… amazing.
This second drawer holds large containers (some of which are in use at the moment) and placemats. Under the placemats are casserole dishes I very occasionally use. But in large families, you need more than one or two. They just can't all be in the main area!
And finally:
Blender (and yes, I actually do use the food processor, blender, Kitchenaid, and blender stick! I USE THEM ALL). Extra mixer bowl — I recommend having two if you bake a lot of bread. Lids for said mixer bowls. Double boiler. Water bottles. Sifter and under it the Foley Food Mill which when you need, you need!
Looking up:
I actually prefer the microwave in the pantry, but right now the seed bench is in there (see below).
Coffee things for guests (we don't drink coffee) — so they do not need to be in the prime areas. Serving dishes galore! Broken Polish Pottery mug, waaahhh, extra mugs and glassware, platters, barware.
Needing a stool to access, but that's okay because really seldom used:
Specialty baking items like decorating tips, cookie cutters; thermal coffee jug; salad spinner — I usually just use a big flour sacking towel (affiliate link) unless I am making a huge salad.
So normally this is more of a work counter, and even now I often blend or food process things over here, but anyway I have my mill and some trays stowed in this spot.
This is what's going on in the pantry, which is just to the left of that counter:
So once everything is planted, we'll have to RE-organize it and have a tour! Does this all look very DIS-organized to you??
It makes sense to me!
Just to finish up (and see the towels):
Turning back, here's the back (or front) of the island:
Napkins and some kitchen towels. The rest of the towels, and there are a lot because I think as you get older you get truly obsessed, are under respective sinks or even in a basket in the pantry!
And on this side, candles and other sundries.
I have only one other little spot to show you, but I think it will wait for next time!
On to our links!
bits & pieces
In our latest podcast, Phil and I talk about many things including a book by a friend about the Egyptian connection to Ireland. Phil also wrote a review, Did Egyptian monks pave the way for St. Patrick? which you can find here. The book is Monastery and High Cross: The Forgotten Eastern Roots of Irish Christianity by Connie Marshner. (affiliate link)
Fr. Pokorsky on our favorite topic, the 10 Commandments. And dinner conversation.
An interesting article on Catholics and other Christians coming together to live, drawn by their place of worship.
Speaking of kitchen inspiration, The Marston House in San Deigo offers a lot of sweet design.
I love these Swedish patterns.
I always enjoy the short articles at Memoria Press. I came across this one again: The Contemplative Reader, and I recommend it to you for thinking about teaching the child how to read, helping him gain competence, and guiding him to understanding and contemplation. These are the themes of my section on teaching reading in Volume 2 of my Summa Domestica too! Whether you send your child to school or teach him at home, these are important principles to have in mind so you can achieve the goal.
Here is a very nice shop with handmade items: The Woodshop at Avalon! I think they would be up for putting into wood something you might have in mind!
from the archives
liturgical living
Feast of Mary, Queen of Apostles
Between Ascension and Pentecost
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My book, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life is available from Sophia Press! Also in paperback now! All the thoughts from this blog collected into three volumes, beautifully presented with illustrations from Deirdre, an index in each volume, and ribbons!
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