One of the downsides to taking down the walls in the kitchen is that we lost the “mud room” area. It was small, but it at least provided a landing area for shoes and such that was hidden from view. But, I felt like the light and space we would gain was a good trade, so the walls came down.
I thought initially I would add a piece of furniture along the wall by the side door as a place to tuck shoes, drop keys, and hang bags, but it would block the traffic path much more than I thought. So, I decided to shift gears and build a shelf to define a bit of a “landing area.” Of course, it’s still in the kitchen and in full view, so it’s not a place to hang everything people bring in the door. The boys will still keep their backpacks in their rooms. There is a cabinet in the foyer for extra shoes and bags as well, so this would just be a place to kick off wet shoes, hang Sebastian’s leash, and maybe hang a light jacket you’re going to use the next day.
I have had my eye on an antique shelf in Maria’s home and I asked her for some specifics on the dimensions of it. I even asked if she would be willing to trace the design so I didn’t have to guess at the curves and proportions. She actually had made some replicas of this shelf and had some extra brackets, so she offered to send me a pair!
I kept any good wood pieces I could from the kitchen demo so they could be repurposed. Wood is expensive and it’s a shame to throw away pieces that still have life left in them. So, I used some pieces of shelving that came out of the former pantry. They needed to be cut to size, but they were perfect for this project.
Jeff helped me cut the pieces down to size and we rounded the shelf corners with a belt sander. This softens the look of the shelf but also reduces the risk of someone bumping their head into a sharp corner.
We assembled it with screws that with heads that would recess into the wood so the holes could be filled. I put on a coat of primer…
And two coats of paint in Card Room Green.
I struggled to find hooks I liked that fit the style of the shelf, but I found some antique hooks when I was at the Lucketts Store a few weeks ago.
I like the size and style of them, but I wasn’t sure that the cast iron really worked. They didn’t relate to anything else in the room. Brass probably would be a better choice. Instead of buying new hooks right off the bat, I decided to take a cue from the antique shelf that served as inspiration for the piece and I painted the hooks. It felt so against my grain to paint hardware, but I liked them better painted in the context of the room. I might end up replacing them with brass hooks down the road, but they are fine for now.
And here is how the shelf looks in the kitchen…
I had it styled with “cleaning supplies” for a photo shoot for the Maple House Collective, but it will be styled differently for everyday use. I did love a little chair there, though! It sort of anchors the shelf and provides a place to tuck shoes or a place to sit to put shoes on.
This wall felt undone since we finished the kitchen and the shelf fills it out nicely, defines the purpose of that space, and gives me a fun area to decorate. There is just something enjoyable about styling a shelf and hooks!
I picked up a new dining set off of Facebook Marketplace last week and you can see a little peek of it through the doors…
I need to play around with styling the shelf for everyday use a bit more. What should go up there? Kitchen stuff since it’s in the kitchen? Mudroom-ish stuff since it’s a little landing area? Things that are completely unrelated and just pretty? I’m not really sure, yet, but I’ll have a fun time figuring it out…
39 Responses
Lovely 💕 What could go there? Maybe a stack of those fabulous European wicker baskets to store mittens, hats, and the like? Not too deep. A galvanized tray to hold shoes and boots? A little basket up top for doggie bags / leash? Thinking of all the things that come in and out of the kitchen door.
This is cute. I’d definitely leave the plant in basket up there. It adds more life.
That shelf area adds a lot of warmth and you’re right about the chair.
Looks amazing!!
I think it is so pretty, and the chair is lovely. It definitely anchors it. As far as styling, the items on top are nice. Replace the hanging brushes with maybe a straw hat and Sebastians leash as you said. But it will be fun changing it out.
Well give it to Marian if you cannot find a piece she will make it Just love your handiwork (and Jeff’s) The basket with greenery must stay add your out the door supplies. Maybe a hanging basket with keys and small necessities. I have been using more and more hanging baskets in every room of my home but all new not antiques as you would use. Cannot wait to see your post on your new dining room set !
Love it!! I’d put an apron there…not a silly/frilly one though, a workhorse apron that could be used in the garden, too! And anything else you choose because you have impeccable taste!
I just looked closer at what I thought was a jacket…maybe it’s a denim apron? LOL
It’s perfect!
I love it. I like how you styled it too. With its height, it would be a little tricky for a basket of gloves. But, come winter, of course a hand knitted by you pair of gloves hanging over a basket would be just the ticket.
If it’s not too busy, you could hang a basket from one hook for collecting things. Everyone’s busyness tolerance vs space needs is different.
I’d say you could tuck an ikea shoe cupboard there, but that’s not your style. I love the chair; I have a thin bench, really low profile along my tiny entrance for sitting, catching and tucking. I really like it. It’s a good combo of rustic and clean.
And I have to say, I love one of the girls on your counter. Makes me feel okay for my cat jumping up. I don’t encourage it, but cats! What are ya gonna do!? I have no doubts whatsoever about the cleanliness of your kitchen as I know I am sure to clean before preparing food. And it’s just warm and cozy to see the kitties and pup. They absolutely make a house a home.
Maybe a narrow bench to kick shoes under…
Oh, that shelf is the perfect touch for that entry wall! I like that you painted the hooks, it makes it seem “older” in history that way, as lots of people just painted over stuff like that. My favorite photo is the one where the cat and dog are looking out the door “in anticipation” of their favorite human family members coming in. Also loving the antlers over the door.
I adore the shelf. I have been wanting to do something like this forever. Maybe this will inspire me to get it done. Think your kitchen has turned out perfect.
I love this and it looks like something I could do.
Also, your cat and dog are just precious! I love seeing them in the pictures 🙂
I love everything you have done to the new house! The kitchen is dreamy. I’m wondering where Eulalia is?
Oh Marian, that is perfect! ❤️
Love the shelf. I liked the cast iron hooks. Mixing all kinds of metals looks good to me.
What I love the MOST is…..that adorable little face Sebastian is showing peeking around the door. He looks like he is thinking, “Mom is at it again!!! I hope there is a treat for me somewhere in the mix!!!….maybe if I look adorable!”
Can’t wait to see the new dining set….I knew it was coming from another post you were hinting about.
LOVE it ALL!!!!
Love it! Can’t wait to see your FB Marketplace find. 🙂
Love the animal photo bombs! How cute are they!!
Character – check. Function – check. Style – check. That special Miss Mustard Seed vibe – check. Well done!
The shelf is perfect and fits in as if it’s always been there. The basket with the plant looks great and I love the chair. The hooks fit in beautifully with the shelf. If you decide that you would like gold someday you could try Rub ‘n Buff. I’ve tried it on different metal materials and also wood. There is even a shade called European Gold along with other gold colors. Good job! You definitely added coziness by the door with your shelf.
I love it so much! Until you find the brass hooks you want, you could use that antique brass color Rub and Buff…You may have already considered it but I have used it on hardware and I really like it.
Marian, I just love seeing how your awkward space has just come to life – you’re making it lovely as you do every home!!
I have a space very similar to this – it’s a long wall, landing spot and part of my kitchen. I love what you’ve done and I look forward to seeing how you play with it! Thank you for always inspiring!
A shelve is such a great work around to not having a dedicated mud room/storage area. I can see a sneak peek of your new dining set and of course Sebastian is guarding the door until the unveil….lol.
Would there be any way for you to trace and post the brackets and dimensions? LOL.
Yes, I was going to ask the same thing. Would love a pattern and dimensions.
I was just going to ask the same thing!
Perfect!
Love the whole new look! I’ve admired Maria’s blue shelf for a couple of years. It’s the perfect size for your space. I can see a pretty apron hanging from one of the hooks.
Fabulous shelf. Well done, Marian. Looks perfect right there.
I like the antique hooks. Could you use Rub and Buff in European gold them? Amazon has it. Love your shelf and everything you do! I have a pair of binoculars on my kitchen shelf by the back door, we like to watch birds that land in our crab apple trees.
I had a shelf in my kitchen previously. I put my grandmother’s vintage spice tins and a small framed cross stitch from a friend. Now I’m inspired to hang it again.
How lovely!. My suggestion. follows some others I think but how about a narrow scale lift top /hinged bench on raised legs enough to slide a wet shoe tray below on the floor ? Inside the bench could be for shoes and maybe a basket for gloves et al? Of course, painted in the same delicious color as the beautiful shelf you made. BRAVO!!!
Love it, Maria always has beautiful things in her shop. The shelf works great. I like the fact that your fur babies are always in your photos. Great kitchen, love everything in it.
Love the shelf with the painted hooks, and the chair. What to hang on the hooks really depends what your family needs at the ready by the back door. For the top, the basket/greens are sweet. Perhaps add one of your paintings in an old gold leaf frame.
I am loving that shelf!! I’m looking around my house to see where I could add one…..so cute!!!! Love the shape, I’ve never seen a shelf with the back being so long….love the shape of the side pieces….I can’t wait to see the different ways you will style it throughout the holidays…thank you for your blog…
side pieces
I am so happy to see your new shelf. I have a portion of an old closet door I could use for a shelf off the garage for coats, etc. We picked up the small closet door in mint condition from an old Victorian home that had collapsed, but we had to cut off a portion of the bottom to fit in our trunk. The home was part of a property that a relative had acquired for the farm land. You would have loved the front of the house, etc. When I went through the house I could see through to the stone foundation below the main floor. I have been storing it for nearly 20 years. Eeks.. I have just been busy raising kids. I need to check to see if the glass doorknob is still on it.
I second those above, who asked for more details on making this lovely shelf, a template of the brackets and dimensions of the shelf would be great, as I think I would love one in my kitchen.
Is there anyway you could tell us the dimensions of the shelf?
I thinkI could do this, but I would need some dimensions. And perhaps I could find the end pieces at Lowes or someplace like that.
It’s perfect for my laundry room where I hang my purse, keys, etc.
before I head out the door.
Thank you in advance.