Whether you love or loathe it, open-shelving is a consistent favorite among celebrities – and Alexandra Daddario has given haters yet another reason to recant.
Despite its reputation for being anti-minimalist and hard to maintain, open shelving offers a way to turn your kitchen into a gallery-like exhibition space – showcasing your favorite vases, cookbooks, crockery, and antique goods. The latter is the case with the White Lotus actress, who has filled her shelves with (what appears to be) vintage teapots, mini Dutch ovens, and a speaker – to keep things eclectic.
Of all kitchen shelving ideas, open spaces are the most personal and, crucially, the most flexible. While changing the entire aesthetic of a closed cabinet involves a renovation, you can transform an open shelf in a few short moments – using things you already own. It's unsurprising, then, that design experts swear by Alexandra's look.
'Open shelving in the kitchen is one of the most practical updates you can make. I’ve seen it work in all kinds of spaces, from small apartments to large homes. What makes it so appealing is how flexible it is,' comments Ryan Fitzgerald, the owner of Raleigh Realty.
'You’re not stuck with fixed compartments like you are with traditional cabinets. You can adjust the layout to fit your stuff, whether that’s stacks of plates, rows of spices, or a few decorative pieces you want to show off. And the best part is you can change the entire look just by rearranging things or swapping out a few baskets. No renovations, no hassle.'
The visibility and, consequently, the individuality of open shelves similarly contribute to their appeal. In Alexandra's case, she has decorated with antiques alongside more modern (and unconventional) pieces, such as the speaker. The result feels personal to her, reminding us that open shelves are meant to be unique. The idea isn't to copy the actress exactly; it's to feel inspired to style our own shelves with the things we love.
'It lets you highlight pieces you actually like – your favorite dishes, a nice set of glasses, or even just a few plants to bring in some color,' Ryan says. 'I’ve also noticed how much it can brighten up a kitchen. Cabinets, especially if they’re dark or bulky, can make the space feel smaller and more closed off. Swapping them out for open shelves opens everything up. Light moves through the space better, and the whole kitchen feels lighter and more connected. It’s a subtle change that has a big impact on how the room feels.'
To elevate your kitchen shelving, we recommend these beautiful pieces (with a teapot particularly inspired by Alexandra's).
We always talk about upgrading your essential kitchenware for something more stylish. And is stoneware canister is a case in point. The small lemon detail is utterly charming, while the white colorway ensures it remains timeless on any kitchen shelf.
For over 100 years, Royal Albert has been passionate about pretty floral teaware, and this piece is a testament to that. It feels quintessentially English and has an element of fun, romance, and nostalgia – the perfect addition to any shelf.
No open shelves are complete without some decorative plates. The undone, irregular form of this design feels organic, hand-made, and visually interesting. While they're great display pieces, they also look great as part of a table setting.
If you ever get bored of the look, changing it up is easy. Move things around, add a couple of new baskets, maybe mix in some new dishes or decor, and suddenly, the space feels fresh again,' Ryan adds.
'It’s a simple way to keep your kitchen feeling like yours without doing a big overhaul.' It's also Alexandra Daddario-approved, in case you need any more convincing to follow suit.
