Of all the classic kitchen colors, white is hard to rival. This tone is eternally versatile, but it also risks feeling clinical and, in some cases, slightly vanilla. This is when incorporating personality becomes so vital. For a lesson in how to make a kitchen feel individual – without feeling cluttered – Tamera Mowry has a masterclass. The actress's space perfects white kitchen styling, starting with her glass-fronted cabinets.
For 2025, designers are increasingly looking for ways to style glass-fronted cabinets, and all for a good reason. Their old-money aesthetic is increasingly sought-after, not least because the classic aesthetic has gained momentum across social media. Increasingly, more people are looking for styles set to transcend fleeting trends and look just as fashionable in another decade, and old-money decorating achieves exactly that.
In her white kitchen, Tamera is next to have glass-fronted cabinets, exhibiting open shelves filled with plates, jars, and vintage crockery. The transparent nature of the glass fronts means every item is on display – creating a mini exhibition-style space along her kitchen wall. The result taps into the old money look while making her space feel utterly personal, as designers explain.
'Glass cabinets are a traditional fixture in kitchens, especially those with “old money” aesthetic - that means classic and timeless materials and finishes that withstand the fast-paced, ever-changing trend cycles,' comments Michele Iapicco, a designer from Iapicco Design Studio.
What makes the glass cabinets so unique is the possessions that fill the open shelves. In Tamera's case, she's kept her items functional but beautiful, combining everyday crockery with more delicate pieces that look intricate enough to be antiques or heirlooms. We don't need to follow her shelf styling exactly, but we should follow her example to bring the items that mean something to us to the forefront of our own kitchens.
'The key is to keep it simple by not overcrowding; a minimalistic approach is the best way to keep open shelving organized. However, if you are looking to use it as a functional space as it’s easily accessible, consider how you will be displaying everything,' adds Al Bruce, the founder of Olive & Barr.
To elevate the look further, Al recommends decanting food goods and displaying them on your open shelves. Much like displaying crockery, this look is as functional as it is stylish – and it will look great behind glass kitchen cabinets or in your pantry.
'For a uniform and aesthetically pleasing shelf look to decanter your dried food items into mason jars and use jute or woven baskets to hide any possible clutter,' Al comments.
'Use the glass jars [such as these from Amazon] to create your own stunning storage solution by placing them on shelves on your blank walls. From pasta to flour, you can fill them with anything you like and display them like art.'
We love this simple style: it's sturdy, stylish, and surprisingly inexpensive
When it comes to decanting, opting for a quintessential Mason jar is never a bad idea. This piece will look eternally classic on every shelf.
Just as the name suggests, this 'hold everything' container is built to store whatever we may desire, including pasta and flour (the kitchen essentials).
'Rather than displaying all your glassware and crockery, curate your favorite everyday items that can stack to add interest as well as depth and color,' Al adds.
'Not only will the addition of open shelving make your space feel lighter and brighter, but you’ll also have more opportunities to bring your personality to the forefront.'
