Anne Hathaway may be Hollywood royalty, but she's never lost touch with her New York City roots. Her Central Park West pied-à-terre, originally a single-family townhouse, is minimalism at its finest, yet her kitchen offers a twist: a treasure trove of decorative ceramics.
Our kitchen shelving ideas are often an afterthought when it comes to design. We tend to prioritize practicality, forgetting that these spaces should be as much an extension of our personalities as anywhere else. Well, the same can't be said for Anne, who has proven that functionality and aesthetics can co-exist beautifully.
The kitchen’s soaring 17-foot ceilings are lined with open shelves that run around the whole room, with the highest tiers accessed by a brass step ladder. The result is the coalescence of practicality and artistry, each shelf showcasing a carefully curated collection of vintage ceramics, arranged in a gradual gradient from light to dark. It offers a masterclass in how to style decorative shelving with elegance and personality.
We first have to address the fact that Hathaway's pied-à-terre likely isn't somewhere she spends a great deal of time. Of course, for an everyday family, her minimalist style won't necessarily be practical, and yet, there's still plenty we can learn from her sophisticated set-up.
Isy Jackson, interior designer and founder of Chelt Interiors, calls Hathaway's kitchen a 'museum style' arrangement of eclectic neutral ceramics. 'The open shelving decision makes the space feel more relaxed as well as offering an opportunity to display the owner’s most loved artisanal finds,' she says.
In recent years, this approach to kitchen decor has been a huge trend. Kitchen shelving has become the default over wall cabinets, allowing homeowners to curate unique displays that imbue kitchens with personality and character.
Shop the Look
Anne's collection of ceramics span beautiful neutral tones. If your partial to a minimalist kitchen, be sure to add variation to your scheme by introducing beautiful textured bowls like this one, from Lulu & Georgia.
The beautiful patina of an artisanal pot or vase can't be underestimated. It's a great way to add a rustic feel to a kitchen that's otherwise stark, white, and minimal.
This vessel captivates with its subtle neutral hue and gracefully sculpted handles. Its sophisticated design offers effortless versatility, making it equally at home on a sleek kitchen countertop or as part of a curated dining vignette, much like Anne’s stylish arrangement.
A timeless design that elevates any kitchen island or open shelving. Ideal for showcasing tall, sculptural branches or fresh herbs, this vase embraces bold styling and makes a striking statement in any culinary setting.
If you're inspired by Anne's shelves but you prefer your decor to lean more practical, look for stoneware mugs and bowls that double up as art while still offering utility. These glazed mugs are a great case in point.
With its elegant footed base and delicate glaze, the Turmont bowl transforms any kitchen. Filled with fruit on a dining table, it adds an instant touch of refined luxury.
In Anne's case, she's opted for a collection of ceramics that feel beautifully elegant. 'The fact that they are all neutral colors is purposeful and in keeping with the minimalism,' notes Isy.
Darker colored vases and bowls are grouped together, with the lightest caches seen on the top shelves, creating a subtle gradient. It proves that every bowl, vase, and vessel has been placed with intention, giving us an insight into Hathaway's refined design style.
This purposeful arrangement instills a hierarchy among the objects. 'Towards the skylight, the beautiful white items are lit up by the natural light of day and are purposefully placed in this fashion as opposed to placing the dark ones up in the white area,' says Isy. 'The use of the brass ladder on the wall also adds to the feeling that this is a museum to showcase Anne's pottery.'
If you've been looking for ways to turn kitchenware into decor, let Anne's kitchen be your sourcebook. For something a little more practical, consider displaying your collection of cast-iron pans on open shelves or a selection of colorful glassware. One thing's for sure – your kitchen will be brimming with newfound personality.
