A kitchen has to be functional not just aesthetically pleasing. Paper towels accessible is very important. Especially when you have small children or people that spill a lot. If your hands are dirty you can’t touch a cabinet to get paper towels. I say they should be accessible.
I love listening to Valentina, and always take something away I can use. However, my kitchens are a mix of Julia Child meets Martha Stewart. I like a little whimsy. I’m not out for a serene space, I’m out to create in a space that gets messy and can be put back together again. Someplace where the food and the dishes and the new pink Kitchen Aid can stand out and make me happy. The beauty of being a grandmother is that I can decorate like one!
Thank you! Glad you mentioned this. My paper towels are on the counter too. It’s black and matches my cabinet hardware. I display fruit, I really don’t care if they match my kitchen. To each it’s own. (Valentina does make me feel a little guilty at times however.)😝🙃😊
I’m a guy and bought my first home a few months ago. I’m all about the black and white theme. I’m binge watching all your videos getting so many great tips! Thanks for all your content!!
You are me about 15 years ago. Less is more and the older you become the cleaner your kitchen counter becomes. I learned this when selling my huge home we had. Just look at houses to sell. No one wants to see crap on the counter and I really liked having less. I totally agree with paper towels. Mine are down below on a stainless standup holder. 😂 ❤your style! Great tips!
When you talked about the paper towels I thought, but they are practical, then realized mine are in the pantry. Walnut holder, made by my grandfather, sitting on top of the walnut roll top desk style bread bread box, also made by him. I’m 77 so I’ve had them for a long time and they still bring me joy. This was fun. Thanks
“The kitchen functions just fine even if I have pretty things to display.” Yess! I like adding the non kitchen items to expand my living space. Great tips!
I have a very small laundry room and I would appreciate tips to make it look beautiful. Thank you for all of the tips you give, I take them to heart! Watching you has made me make some changes around my house and now it looks more luxurious. All because of you ❤
I have a small kitchen but definitely use a lot of the same concepts. Vessels…greenery, lighting etc.. I hung a beautiful mirror in my kitchen and my family thought I was crazy when I mentioned it…but now that it’s up everyone loves it. Listen I’m in my kitchen so much….might as well make it pretty 😍
There is something so calming and satisfying about the minimalist feel of your kitchen. I actually love the no upper cabinet look, with just wall…no tile or marble up to the ceiling…just blank wall…love it. It’s very different and just lovely. It’s actually unexpected. Usually people put up open shelving, or tiled backsplash. I’m really digging this look, the minimalism highlights those lights, really allows them to shine ❤❤❤
I love your approach in this video I think a lot of people are quick to judge those who decorate their kitchens but the real reason is so that we can actually enjoy and otherwise utilitarian space and still have it be functional, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as you can still use it the way it’s supposed to be used! 🖤
I love your point of view and the way you stated it, of your kitchen being an extension of your living room, of your home. Thats an inspiring way to look at it. Love your outfit too by the way.
I love a rug in the kitchen. I just purchased a Ruggable runner for our condo galley style kitchen with a lovely thicker backing. Looks beautiful and feels luxurious under foot .
I have a microwave, air fryer, toaster, toaster oven and coffee maker on my counters lol. I use almost all of them everyday and storing them would drive me nuts lol. Would be wonderful to have clean countertops for aesthetics but my sanity is worth the clutter 🫤
I absolutely love the "Valentina Kitchen"! this weekend is going to be a re-design of my kitchen using these tips! I'd love to see a video from you on how to decorate a small entryway space/ a small foyer which has no purpose other than having a staircase to the main level of the house :)
I mean, I also use those, but I use paper towels to cover food in the microwave and other little tasks. Plus, I don’t have room to be putting everything in cabinets - toaster, coffee, etc. It just doesn’t work for me.
Your kitchen is gorgeous! I can’t wait to minimalize our kitchen! Thank you Valentina! My husband and I are a family with 6 children ages 22-7! All 8 of us work in the kitchen! Keeping the kitchen free of clutter will bring peace to the home! Great tips!
I’m in my kitchen almost all day. Paper towels are staying on the counter 😂 Girl, you need outlets in your kitchen to actually use it. Your kitchen is meant to be used not just look like a display home. 😂😂😂 I’m usually with you on a lot of “put this away” (like toasters and stuff) but the outlets? No. Everyone keep your outlets and use your kitchen to cook real food, and stop ordering Door Dash sheesh.
My husband and I just moved into our custom built home and I didn't want too many wall outlets. When it was time to meet with the electrician, he informed me that there is a requirement to have so many outlets in a room. Kitchen requires both AFCI and GFCI and I think it is an outlet every 6 feet. So in the kitchen you need those outlets.
(sigh) As others have correctly pointed out, current building codes require outlets be installed every 4 feet or so in the kitchen (though this varies a bit by locale). One thing that would help with the visuals (which I don’t understand why isn’t being done more often) is having the outlets installed *horizontally* - right above the backsplash - rather than vertically in between the cabinet base and the counter height. Counter and counter backsplash heights are standard - so this is a no-brainer. It’s as though contractors are intentionally trying to create eyesores in our kitchens!
Although they’re not fancy looking, I think paper towels are a necessity especially when you have white cabinets that you don’t want to touch with dirty hands just to get a paper towel quickly hmm 🤔. I guess it’s easier for someone who has black cabinets to say hide them. Thanks
I am constantly washing my hands cooking and use paper towels. Much more sanitary than grabbing a dish towel. The same for the soap dispenser as I am always washing utensils and pans pans when I am cooking. Besides we eat all our meals in the dining room. It is much more elegant than eating in the kitchen.
I love your non cluttered, clean look kitchen. There is a sense of calmness.... every time I see it it's inviting me in ❤️ I would love to see a video on furniture placement and decor of a dining/ livingroom combo plain rectangle of a room.
Love, love, love your kitchen! I am so inspired by it. I have been having the same thoughts about adding lamps and artwork, and now that I see how lovely it looks, I am going to do it. Also, I do the same with the limes... I can't handle colorful fruit in a bowl. I absolutely love your big piece of art and your bowls. It's all beautiful!
Please talk about upper cabinets and above them. Anything that’s making the best of what you have. It’s so easy to want to rip everything out and start fresh, but that’s not always a good idea, much less affordable. I like what you’ve done with your kitchen! But I don’t have a wall on which to put full length pantry cabinets, so what do we do with the more common uppers?!? Thanks for all your time and effort-it shows!
You look as pretty as your kitchen. Your dress is my all-time favorite. Our styles are opposite, and yet I always learn styling tips and design principles that can be applied to our log home. Thank you for sharing your design journey in such fun and cheerful posts.
I agree with you on the paper towels. Unfortunately, my husband has a fit with my putting it out of sight. One of the peace keeping things I have to do for marriage. 😊
I don’t know how it is everywhere, but where I live, code requires WAY too many outlets in the kitchen. I could probably remove half of the ones we have in our new build and still have plenty.
National electrical code requires an unobstructed outlet every 48” to accommodate standard 24” standard length kitchen appliance cords. Kitchen small appliance outlets are mandatory inspection item in all 50 states. We’ve been in a market where you can get by without fixing inspection items. but that doesn’t last forever. Plan on paying to fix that when it comes time to sell.
Your kitchen looks beautiful, but I like an even more minimalist approach to mine. I love having lots of counter space free so that it's super easy and convenient to use and to clean.
For someone who cooks almost everything from scratch, I do keep more items out in my kitchen, including paper towels. However, I think the key is what you said about the coffee maker - buy high quality, beautiful pieces for things you use all of the time. I love my Kitchenaid mixer and my colorful set of German mixing bowls they look beautiful on my counter but they get used every day.
Love your kitchen ideas! As a realtor I agree with you about the green/ limes and using wood in a utilitarian environment to warm it up. I would love some ideas for decorating small spaces! Thank you 💕
I agree with minimizing countertop items and making sure the items that are out are beautiful. However, I do keep paper towels out as a courtesy for guests. I hate being at someone’s house and I pour some wine and then - hello drops of red on the countertop. I want to clean it up without bothering the host. Maybe since my counters and backsplash are mostly white, it doesn’t bother me? I agree with artwork in the kitchen - more artwork in every room. I also think every kitchen needs a candle. And layered lighting is essential. Our overhead lights are bright, almost daylight kelvin. The under cabinet are warmer. We use the overhead when preparing food and the under cabinet the rest of the time. Thanks for the video!
Another inspiring video! Ugh….I would love not to have paper towels on my island, but try convincing my husband! Never gonna happen. I know you’ve done them before, but any videos on coffee table and shelf styling(built in or free standing) would be great to go over again along with the “why” things work.
I would love a video of top recommendations for counters, cabinet designs, cabinet colors, faucets, tile, flooring for mudrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Maybe a mini series. Always love all your design advice, tips and tricks❤️😁
Hi Valentina! Thank you for the awesome ideas you have! I love minimalism as well. I find I don’t have enough cabinets to keep all my stuff off the counter. Ugh! One thing I wanted to see if you could talk about is, plant shelves & how to style them. I don’t want plants up there because it’s hard to water.. although I can do a couple fake ones. But I need help styling them. Thank you!!! ❤
I love your videos and your personality so much, Valentina but I have to say I do love a cozy kitchen but, of course, to each their own!!! I’m in the home improvement industry and every time I’m in a home with a beautiful cozy kitchen, it just feels so amazing!!! Although, I am all about the black/white/beige look and probably getting ready to change my kitchen over to those colors! Your kitchen feels a bit cold for my taste but I still love and appreciate all of your useful tips….even those tips can be used for a cozy kitchen too!!! Love ya!!!❤️
My kitchen is a galley style kitchen, 8x17 feet…with three doorways in it…for a family of 6 (young kids) and I’m a home cook who hosts constantly!! We are on a tight 9k budget but we’re taking this kitchen down to the studs and restarting! (It was already half gutted when we bought the house and we’ve lived in it for 4 years) I’m hoping I can make a beautiful but functional space
I think there’s a happy medium between minimal and clutter . I have my olive oil and vinegars in a tray near the stove as I use them multiple times a day . But they’re in decanters , in a wood tray . Your style is beautifully you .
I don’t like to display paper towels on the counter either, but if I don’t the rest of my family will take it out and leave it out for me!😂 I just decided to buy a Michael Aram paper towel holder. It’s hella expensive, but for my ocd peace of mind, I can leave the roll out on a beautiful holder! Compromise!😂Lol
@@nadhiffqodri I purchased my sculptured metal paper towel holder from Etsy and I love it. We cook all of our meals at home and entertain out of town guest often. Our guest can easily find a paper towel when they need one. I really appreciate visible paper towels when we visit friends. However, I would be willing to demote my beautiful sculpted towel holder to the basement entertainment room if I could find an easy to instal under the cabinet paper towel holder. I need to have it handy for physical reasons and functionality.
Your kitchen is nice, clean looking but cold looking. No warmth. Not inviting to me. I like having upper cabinetry better.. Its just me.. I like a clean and neat kitchen not busy but a warmer look.. Stay healthy stay safe.
I agree, but couldn’t say it ! I’m happy she has what she likes, but it does come across as very cold to me. And I wouldn’t want to bend down for every plate or cup or glass without upper cabinets. Food is colorful ! There’s nothing wrong with reflecting that in the kitchen.
@@octoberrose12. I feel your right as you get older…..it’s much harder to get at items, besides lower cabinets are much deeper [can fill them up with more larger stuff that is much heavier to transfer to one’s counters]
Thank you, Valentina. You've added joy to my life again and in our kitchen with your wonderful, creative, fresh ideas. Goodbye to those foamy utilitarian kitchen mats I used to have :) I know there's something off with having those, and you just pointed it out.
I LOVE having a clean counter and an uncluttered kitchen. I have my Nespresso machine, also hiding an outlet. I have a cutting board and a framed print of Half Moon Bay covering a couple other outlets. Then I have a really pretty magnetic knife block with these knives that, honestly, they look sculptural, and that's covering another outlet. Cookbooks are another tip of yours that I love. I have one on my island right now.
You know what would be cool is a pantry that turns like a trap door turns on haunted house movies. So the coffee bar and microwave and other working small appliances get tucked in at the end of the night / when company comes. So on the facade side you could have shelving to showcase various vases and art / maybe an artful collection of cookbooks.
This was great!! I've been looking for (inexpensive) ways to level up our kitchen, so this video was so helpful! Is that big painting behind the branches another DIY? If so, I would love a tutorial. Also could you make a video on powder rooms (if you haven't yet)?
It is wonderful to have your own idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. You have a beautiful kitchen! I definitely am not hiding my paper towels or putting a nice rug in mine. My kitchen gets used hard and is always messy. It HS to be cleaned every evening. I have the ugly squishy mats, too. They get wiped down and are perfectly sanitary. A rug would not be at all. I love the look of no cabinets but I have so much that I need a place to keep things. I do agree about the clutter! I like empty counter tops with a few plants.
Valentina, you have the right idea about paper towels - but ya didn’t offer much advice for those who really need easy access to them. As they are a necessary evil, I’d have liked to hear more recommendations - so I’ll offer some of my own. One solution is installing a horizontal dispenser on a lower cabinet end. They’re accessible, but less unsightly. This frees up counter space *and* is great for encouraging young kids to clean up their own messes. Alternatively, I have a friend who keeps hers in a big decorative vase on the counter - accessible but out of sight. A metal jug, large canister, etc. would also work. If you can afford it, getting pre-cut folded paper towels is great! This is what I’ve chosen to do. They can be stored in an attractive metal or wood paper guest towel holder which makes them easy to grab and far more sleek and less “trashy/work shop” looking. As a last resort, you could tuck that roll into a corner *behind* something large and attractive like a ginger jar or urn. I hope sharing these ideas is appealing to someone. I think the Comments section is a brilliant place to brainstorm our collective intelligence and invaluable for pooling our life experience. There’s a wealth of info that I’ve discovered from those who’ve taken the time to write constructively rather than just poo-poo things. I’d love to see this space used this way!
I love your kitchen Valentina ❤. After having seen your bathroom and kitchen organizing videos I was wondering if you could make a laundry room organization video?
Since I have to clean off the kitchen counter for renovations, I’m using your great advice. Time to simplify, and show off artwork and artistic containers!
Yes paper towels , oil 😂 and all the non magazine oops are out and I just can’t be without. We are literally using everything since we work at home & cook all the time. Anyway if people come over mmmm then it’s tucked away 😅
Just love the look of your kitchen, Valentina. As you said, it is an extension of the rest of your home. I don't like paper towels on the counter either! Love the art work, vases, and bowls of non-traditional fruit displayed on your counters. Would love to see if you do anything different in the room where you do laundry. Love your outfit by the way! Miss seeing Jack in your videos too. 🍈🍈🍈
I love the beautiful simplicity of your kitchen! You've absolutely outdid yourself on that style. Can you share what the color on your cabinets is? Also do you have any tips on hiding cords on the countertops. Thank you for having this channel Im learning alot, as your very knowledgable. Have a great day!
Love a minimalist kitchen! I don’t have a kitchen drain on the counter (forces me to wash and put the dishes away right away) and have non kitchen themed art in the kitchen on a big wall and a piece of art on the backsplash behind the stove. The only thing on my kitchen island is a really cool small portable fire pit (during the winter months-love the ambience) and a vase filled with branches and Trader Joe’s flowers. I’ve had guests ask me if I actually cook in my kitchen too! The answer is yes! 😊 but I love coming down to my kitchen in the morning and seeing how “pretty” it is❤
I love your style. I also like the uncluttered look in my kitchen. I do have paper towels on a decorative stand out on the countertop. It hides the electrical plug and very handy. Personally I like it better than a big coffee maker (but I don’t drink coffee). My microwave is also in the pantry.
