makin’ pantry moves

Tiny Bits of Happiness | Pantry Progress

Pantries demand a lot of function, but they can also benefit from a little bit of prettiness too. After having an unwelcome crew of ants arrive in our pantry, during a global pandemic might I add, I decided to take everything single thing out and deep clean. And then, as it was sitting empty, I was struck that this was maybe the perfect time to make some changes in this space. So I began to dream and find some inso. I had always had a color-blocking situation in my mind with some black and white paint. I knew we weren’t going to be making any structural changes, changing the layout, or really doing anything else other than paint and function. I have always loved the feel of a pantry that had a counter top in it. The feeling of being built in and a little space of all its own.

where we started

OH BOY. Yikes. This feels like I’m airing our dirty, unorganized, really crazy laundry. I’ll be honest, when we were moving in the pantry was the LAST priority and everything got thrown in there and I never ventured back to get it into a better place. I also had items stored in here I didn’t quite need so handy (a large coffee maker for when we have guests come, etc).

Our current home is the newest home we’ve ever lived in. This is our third home together and our sixth place we have lived together (!). We’ve never had a pantry this large or frankly a kitchen this large. I’m glad I didn’t tackle this space right away. It’s been helpful living here for a year and seeing how I need it to function and what type of storage I need.

BUT, with the house being so new, I was craving character and function. I knew we wouldn’t be ripping out these perfectly functional shelves for anything extra special or pretty. I set my sights on the paint cans in our garage and using what we have.

So let’s look at this space bare bones and all cleared out of our craziness.

let’s look back at inspo KEY POINTS

A LITTLE BIT OF ART TO MAKE IT FEEL BESPOKE AND INTERESTING
DECANTED GOODS
GLASS, WOOD, AND OTHER NATURAL TEXTURES
ADD CHARACTER AND INTEREST THROUGH PAINT
WARM METALS LIKE COPPER AND BRASS
LESSEN VISUAL PACKAGING

FIRST: PAINT IT ALL.

I focused first on painting. Y’all, I was SWEATIN’ it. I kept having this vision of white and black color block with black on the lower half. I felt like this would match the vibe of our dark counters and flow nicely with the rest of the kitchen. I was really excited and I believed in the idea of the black paint because we had used it in our house on our fireplace and front door in our entry. But also, black is very, well, black. It can be dark and really intense and a bit hard to cover if it doesn’t work out.

I also tested out one of my favorite colors (another left over can of paint in the garage), Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. This is a gorgeous color, but it really didn’t stand out or feel that different at all. You can see this in picture one. I created sample swatches to help me decide, but I was having the hardest time visualizing the black paint. See the comical progression below

When you can’t quite visualize the end result, keep on goin’

I knew the Revere Pewter wasn’t going to cut it, but I needed a little more convincing. What’s a gal to do when she can’t picture it? Keep on painting, babe. I painted just enough where I could stand to the side and see what it would look like. Success! It felt more bespoke and the lower half of the pantry felt like it was built in. This kind of feels like that saying, “Instagram vs. Reality” right here. In reality, I was still being a chicken and I wasn’t totally committing. But this helped me seal the deal. When you are feeling stuck, it’s really helpful to either squint your eyes (very technical and professional) or “fool” yourself to trick your brain to envision the whole thing. And ya know what? IT WORKED!

keep on painting

Tape helped get a nice crisp line, but realistically I had to go through and touch up with a small brush because our walls are textured (and it ruins everything ;)). I decided to move the color block moment to the door because I was so determined to give this pantry personality and a bit of character. I am blown away how the black paint actually makes the lower shelves feel built in and custom. It was scary in the beginning, but man it paid off! Even with one coat of paint on, I felt the excitement!

After I finished painting, I coated everything with a clear semi-gloss coat of Polycrylic. I snagged whatever was available at Walmart, because quarantine, but I honestly don’t know if I would use the product I did again. It was very smelly and needed to let the space “breath” for a very long while (like a week!) I do love that all the surfaces, walls, door, etc, are very wipeable and more durable and less prone to scuffing and scratching. This space needs to hold up to lots of wear, and hauling groceries and supplies in and out. I had someone I know recommend Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane and she said it had very little smell and it is very durable! (Apparently it’s also available at Walmart. That’s what I get for very minimal planning) That would probably be a better option.

putting it all back in and together

I made a strategy to decant and depackage (is that even a word?) our dry goods and put them either in containers or in mason jars. For snacks I opted for the Better Homes & Gardens Flip Tite Storage containers (and they are SO good and a fraction of the price) . I put potatoes, garlic, onions and other pantry stable vegetables like squash in mesh containers that would allow them to be see-through but wouldn’t let onion peels get all over. I love the simple beauty that rice and pasta in mason jars add. It’s affordable and super easy.

I love having our cookbooks out and accessible, but also out of the way because I don’t typically reach for them every day. serving bowls and unused vases are on the top shelf and leaves space for future storage of food as well. I used my mothers old sugar and flour canisters and stored rolled oats and self-rising flour in IKEA glass canisters. Truthfully, I will be scouting and purchasing larger canisters for flour and sugar. These little cuties are pretty but they aren’t quite the size I was hoping. For now they work just fine. I think the little glass jars for cocoa powder and the leftovers of dried cranberries are so darn cute. Super cute for entertaining too. Dog food is stored in the large IKEA KNODD Bin.

This space is one of the hardest spaces to photograph because it doesn’t get any direct light, it’s got a beautiful mix of a white white and dark dramatic black. Add in the size of a small closet and it all starts to get a little crazy and demand a little creativity for capturing the feel of her.

I currently am using the IKEA Pine Boxes in small to store canned good, baking goods, and boxed goods. I have two more large IKEA KNAGGLIG Pine Boxes to allow for bulkier back stock items and additional storage that can be concealed by easily accessed. I currently have the first black shelf acting more like a counter space where items can be set and easily accessed. I like that there is a space of calm in the middle of everything and it has been nice for accessing items. The pine boxes have pads on the bottom that allows them to easily slide in an out and still allow them to “nest” and stack easily.

Before & After (for now)

Lacking organization (due to me!) and it felt very ho-hum. Which is fine, it’s a pantry. But I also felt this potential for a space that feels a little extra special where I could be inspired to snag some snacks and ingredients for cooking. To find another part of our home that I love. And while the after is truly just a progress picture. It will shift and change as our family changes and as the world changes. I’m okay with that. I don’t think any space is ever “done.”

I am so appreciative every time I open this door and I’m welcomed by this space. While changes may happen in the future, I’m thankful for this space right here.