Martha Stewart is synonymous with kitchens that are as beautiful as they are functional – and her most powerful lessons are the ones that are seemingly the most simple. Take her dish soap storage method, for example. This has been a feature of Stewart's kitchen for decades, but despite its age, it remains the perfect solution to an enduring problem.
'I don’t know about you, but I like to make my kitchen look really pretty. I use old dishes and wonderful flowers, and every now and then, I notice something that’s a little bit out of keeping, like this plastic liquid dishwashing bottle,' Stewart says in the archival footage (below). Years later, dishwashing soap bottles can be just as unsightly. However, her cleaning tip keeps things notably more aesthetic.
'I have a really good solution to this problem. These decorative bottles are very readily available now in kitchenware stores and hardware stores [or, in the modern day, on Amazon], and these bar tops are also available – this is what you see lined up on a bar to pour the liquors, and this will pour the soap. Use a funnel and just pour into the bottle the liquid of your choice,' she instructs.
Despite being over twenty years old, the timing of Stewart's method has never felt more fitting. In contemporary kitchens, we're continually looking for ways to make our products go further – and even better when it improves the look of our overall space.
'This is a very economical thing to do, and it’s also environmentally sound. You can buy the largest containers possible, and you have to buy fewer of them,' Stewart comments. 'Once the bottle is full, insert the top good and tightly, and you're ready to use it. It’s a good thing.'
When decanting your dish soap into a glass bottle, it's hard to go wrong. Even the simplest of bottles is an instant upgrade from the original plastic packaging. However, if you want to take things a step further, we adore this intricately-decorated bottles. The engraved patterns will add a hint of elegance to any countertop.
With its tapered design (offering control, accuracy, and a consistent pour), these spouts are ideal for more than liquor. Use them for your dish soap, olive oil, or any beverage of your choice. Designed with spillage control in mind, it's the simplest (and most good-looking) ticket to clean dishes.
A vintage-style glass bottle has impressed in kitchens for over twenty years, as Stewart herself demonstrates in the footage. This bottle, made in Italy, is the perfect timeless piece to buy into her look. We love its decorative design, creating a bottle that's so beautiful, you'll look forward to doing the dishes... sometimes.
In the clip, Stewart focuses on dish soap, but decanting food goods and oils is another way to ensure your kitchen looks streamlined. This is already a common practice in a pantry, but designer Tom Howley says it's just as perfect in our main kitchen areas.
'When displaying dry food goods, decant items into matching containers for a streamlined look or mix jar sizes for a more eclectic feel,' he says. Plus, he has some tips for upgrading our kitchen's aesthetic even further.
'Work with odd numbers – objects displayed in three, five or seven creates a better dynamic,' Howley comments. 'Also, group objects together to create a story. This doesn’t just apply to decor items. You can create visual appeal with practical objects such as groups of chopping boards, oils, or beautiful everyday ceramics.'
