Kenya: Kitchens have evolved from being merely a place where food preparation takes place to a cheerful spot where families gather to talk, eat or just hang out.
Given that much time is spent in this room, it pays to invest in this cooking area and give it some character.
There is no need to hide all your utensils in cabinets or drawers.
Gather some courage and show them off on counter tops, walls and open shelves, giving your kitchen functional, visual aesthetics.
Work surfaces
READ MORE
About 420 families face eviction from disputed 63-acre prime land
What I wouldn't give for a return to the age of innocence!
Tawi Fresh: The platform cutting off brokers to grow farmers' earnings
Pokot leaders raise alarm over rising cases of residents maimed by bandits
Kitchens normally have a main worktop for chopping, mixing and whisking.
And a less busy workstation which can accommodate a collection of your wooden spoons, a set of knives, an attractively arranged fruit basket, or even washed vegetables drying on a colander.
Alternatively find a silver jug to place all your mismatched silver spoons and forks in for an artsy display of your collection.
Pots and pans
Install a simple, stainless steel rail with butcher’s hooks on a short wall in the kitchen to hang pots and pans for visual display.
A smaller-sized rail with smaller hooks can be used to hang coloured mugs on the wall. This creates a cosy and homely effect that is eclectic yet pulled together.
It also provides quick access to the utensils without needing to open yet another closet to reach for the item that you need.
Open shelves
Do not ignore open shelves given that they are prone to clutter build up. Here you can place clear storage bottles with dry grains such as beans, pasta or cereal.
Select matching bottles to create a sense of visual unity.
These will not only be pleasing to the eye but they make it easy to view at a glance the contents in the food containers. Consider installing a plate rack on the wall to a create visual display.
Notices
Find a creative method to display important paperwork such as shopping lists, children’s artwork, photographs, menus and messages for urgent pick ups.
A magnetic notice board usually works well for this purpose, as well as a blackboard to write instructions on.
Window sills
Place matching potted herbs on the window sill to grow fresh coriander, mint or parsley.
The plants purify the air and the greenery provides a place for your eyes to rest.
Its all in the details so find a way to expose those decorative items that make you smile and make your time in the kitchen that much more enjoyable.
— jkanyeki@standardmedia.co.ke