Unlock the Secret of Martha Stewart's Kitchen: The Magic of Open Shelving

It's hard to find a home that's impacted the celebrity style team quite like Martha Stewart's Bedford estate. Over the last year, we've spent many hours trying to catch glimpses of this iconic property – but, personally, nothing has influenced me like her kitchen.

The first time I saw Martha's kitchen, I remarked on how her spacious island and mixed-material metallic finishes brought an industrial feel to an otherwise country-style space. However, while the colors and textures are interesting in their own right, her kitchen storage is the only feature ever to stop me in my tracks.

As a celebrity style editor, I observe how a similar design feature unites various figures, and, though controversial, open shelving is a reoccurring favorite. Often, I see open shelving in conventional zones around a kitchen – typically along an empty side wall or along a backsplash, where essentials are within easy reach. In Martha's case, however, she's turned awkward wall space into a storage. It's one of the most unexpected and ingenious uses of 'dead space' I've ever seen.

When designing a kitchen, the area above (and around) your doorway may seem like it's off-limits. It's certainly not common to see this space being used to store – and show off – cookware and accessories. Martha's built-in shelves change this entirely.

While her Bedford estate isn't compact, her kitchen shelving is the perfect solution for those homes where space is at a premium. In my small urban apartment, I'm constantly thinking of ways to make my space work harder. Martha's shelves have opened up the possibility of adding shelves to areas I never thought possible. Just as she has done, I could fill the space around my door with dozens more plates, glasses, cups, and saucers – especially those pieces that I want to show off.

Some cookware, like the ones I've handpicked below, are just made to be admired on an open shelf. They feel personal and add color to your kitchen, all while being ready to serve at a moment's notice.

This gorgeously abstract bowl in blue and pink is the most aesthetic way to enjoy pasta or noodles, and will look beautiful paired against pink glass on your shelves.

The Feast face plate is equal parts fun and sophisticated, synonymous with the Ottolenghi brand. Anyone who loves the chef will instantly recognize this piece as one of his most iconic designs.

This bright bowl evokes the world's happiest color, bringing just the right amount of vibrancy to any corner of your kitchen. You deserve it whether you have open shelving or not.

Decorative qualities aside, Bo Hellberg, the CMO at String Furniture, mirrors my sentiments. He emphasizes how these shelves (whether above the doorway or not) are perfect for dark or small kitchens, as their open nature makes the room feel more spacious.

'Open shelves don't take up a lot of physical – and therefore visual – space, making them ideal for compact or dark kitchens. Swapping even a small run of cabinets for open shelving can make a room feel larger and brighter,' he says. 'It allows for plenty of storage and creates an opportunity to display your favorite dishes without overwhelming the space with heavy cabinetry.'

Bo continues: 'Open shelving is a practical and stylish option when it comes to kitchen layout, it is also practical for cooking. When you cook a lot, you want lots of open shelves so everything is easily within reach.'

We're taking this as our cue to follow Martha's example. With her kitchen as a starting point, it's impossible to go wrong.