The best storage systems are those that are too beautiful to be functional—and nothing embodies this philosophy more perfectly than the Rossellini space.
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There are few things that compare to a kitchen island. Often the centerpiece of a kitchen, an island is used for everything from food preparation to dining and socializing, but its storage function is often overlooked. That’s not the case in Isabella Rossellini’s kitchen.
In her Long Island farmhouse, called Mom’s Farm, the Blue Velvet actress shows how to turn “dead” space (that might be too underused) into storage—starting with a strategically placed kitchen island.
Rossellini created a series of open shelves beneath the island, where she arranged wicker baskets, large mixing bowls, and baking dishes. She filled the bottom half of the island with drawers of glassware and cutlery, making them easy to access without cluttering the space. It’s an approach that has caught the attention of designers including Tom Hawley, who urges us to rethink island storage the way Rossellini did.
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A kitchen island is a great place to store items you use often, but it can also be used to store items you rarely use. Depending on how you use your island, you can design a kitchen that includes cabinets and drawers that make your life easier and more convenient, Hawley explained.
We love that Rossellini chose open shelving to make her storage island both dramatic and personal. However, you don’t have to leave your items on display to reap the same storage benefits.
“Choose closed cabinets to hide kitchen items you don’t want on display, or opt for open shelving to display favorite cookware, cookbooks, or artwork,” says Hawley. “A kitchen island is a great place to store practical appliances like a wine fridge, or you can make room for built-in storage to keep your kitchen as clutter-free as possible.”
Sinead Trainor, kitchen manager at LochAnna Kitchens, agrees, pointing out that islands of varying sizes can be used for both clever storage and as the perfect entertaining dining area.
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“If you spend a lot of time socializing in the kitchen, one way to ensure that it has elements that serve that purpose is to install a large kitchen island where people can gather to cook, eat, and socialize,” says Trainor.
An island or bar can be used as both storage and a dining area. At first glance, it adds a signature design element to the home, but the cabinets underneath the island also provide a practical place to store pots, pans, or groceries. A larger kitchen island or bar will also allow for a stove or sink, which will also make the most of every inch of space. A modern trend is to connect the worktop to the floor on both sides and provide seating on one side.
Megan is the Director of Celebrity News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity news team. She has worked in interior design, travel and journalism for many years, living and working in New York, Paris and London. Megan has published in Livingetc, The Telegraph and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan and Tan France. She lives in a London flat with her vintage typewriter and varied collection of espresso cups, and dreams of a home designed by Kelly Wearstler.
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