When it came to designing the kitchen in my remodel, I knew I wanted it to feel more than just functional – I wanted it to sing with personality and charm.
Aside from scrolling and pinning thousands of inspiring kitchen ideas, I started with a list of three key elements to use as the springboard for my entire design, including a vintage Le Creuset collection passed down from my Grandad.
And of course, that couldn't be hidden away. Here is my hack to creating a burst of personality in the heart of your kitchen with a simple switch-up to standard kitchen cabinet ideas.
Typically when designing a kitchen the first things one might consider are sensible factors like budget or how to create the perfect kitchen triangle, but for me, it started with a few aesthetic pieces.
Leaning into the colorful stove kitchen trend, the first thing I sourced was a secondhand olive green Rangemaster Elan that gave me all the hallmarks of a traditional English kitchen and became the starting point not only for my kitchen layout but also for the color palette.
Secondly, I had to ensure I found space in my tricky kitchen layout (it is a bit of a wide galley with two different ceiling heights) for the butcher block island that I coerced my Grandma into parting with after eyeing it up for most of my childhood where it sat in her living room with the TV on top. Criminal, I know.
And finally, a vintage Le Creuset collection my Grandad bought in the 70s that consists of 10 different pots and pans in bold hues of retro orange and green that I knew I simply couldn't just hide away in a cupboard.
As you can see above, I chose a timeless, neutral kitchen cabinet color (Shaded White from Farrow & Ball) and then chose to add color and charm with accessories and details like a marble backsplash and a deep dark iroko wooden countertop.
I then worked to weave the hues of my heirloom Le Creuset collection into the entire fabric of my kitchen, picking up the green with the range cooker and in small details like vases, ceramics, and a lamp.
So that’s where open cabinetry came in. This slightly unexpected kitchen cabinet idea works in a similar way to open shelving and is essentially a traditional cabinet without any door fronts that allows you to create more display opportunities in your space.
In order to make my budget-friendly off-the-shelf kitchen feel more custom, I chose to balance a few open units among closed cupboard and drawer storage to create a unique design – and ensure certain items remain hidden to avoid clutter.
I have one open cabinet that serves as our coffee nook with a cute under-counter curtain to hide mugs and appliances, a thin open space next to the cooker that we slot oven trays into, one next to the sink with a pull-out pole for hanging the dish towels, and of course: the Le Creuset cabinet.
Personally, I think it is a simple hack that all my previous kitchen renovations have been missing. By interspersing a few open or glass-front cabinets at countertop height, you give yourself the opportunity to be more creative with your storage and curate displays of pieces that reflect you.
Whether that's a vintage cookware collection, colorful cookbooks, ceramics collected from your travels, pantry staples, or a hanging rack of copper pans.
Additionally, this look can be achieved with a kitchen island – or your Grandma's vintage butcher block. Often seen as the centerpiece of the kitchen, an island with in-built open shelving or niches is perfect for showing off your favorite items.
If you don't need the extra space underneath for cabinetry (we all still need hidden storage, let's face it) then opt instead for more freestanding pieces like this statement yellow island designed by Plain English to display things like serving platters and dishes.
This clever use of freestanding kitchen ideas is a great way to bring vintage pieces into a kitchen and add a sense of openness to the space.
Collections add character to a kitchen. They can reflect your personality, making the space feel more authentic and less like a showroom. By using open cabinetry, shelving, or glass-front cupboards, you can create little displays of these cherished pieces while keeping them accessible for everyday use.
Of course, the key to successful open decor is thoughtful curation. Editing is essential. Limit what you display to items that are either functional, like cookware or day-to-day glassware, or truly beautiful. Everything else can stay hidden behind closed doors.
This small design choice can really make a big impact, transforming a pretty standard space into one that’s filled with charm.
Available in 27 colors including this warm olive green, the enameled cast iron dutch oven is a timeless Le Creuset piece that you'll get endless use out of.
If you scour Etsy and eBay you'll find hundreds of listings of vintage Le Creuset pots and pans to display like this set of orange wooden handled saucepans, dating from approx the 1970s.
For a unique addition to your collection, this sunny Braiser has been finished with an embossed petal design on the lid inspired by the French anemone flower.
Designing a kitchen around personal pieces is about more than just aesthetics, it’s about creating a space that feels uniquely yours.
A kitchen should inspire you daily, and when it's infused with beloved items that you can see and touch, it helps it to become a place you genuinely want to spend time in. Even if you're a miserable cook like me.
My vintage-inspired kitchen has become that for me and I'm a big believer that this hack is the secret ingredient that turns such a functional room into a well-loved hub of your home.
