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How This Food Blogger Keeps Her Kitchen Organized

Anna's Kerry Blue Terrier, Ted, is a mainstay of the kitchen.
Anna's Kerry Blue Terrier, Ted, is a mainstay of the kitchen.

If it feels like you never have enough storage or counter space in the kitchen, imagine how frustrated you'd be if your job depended on it and your space was lacking? Anna Barnett, cook, author, and food blogger, has turned her passion for food into a bustling career, and a recent renovation made her kitchen workflow even better.

"When we moved into our apartment, the kitchen was tucked in a small dark corner and there was hardly any countertop space, which was problematic when cooking for just ourselves, let alone larger groups of friends," says Anna, who also hosts a series of cooking classes in her home. "It was lacking in light too, so reconfiguring our space entirely has meant the kitchen truly sits at the heart of the home now."

To get the space into the most ideal configuration, Anna teamed up with London-based kitchen manufacturer Pluck. "The collaboration started by gleaning all we could from Anna about how she was going to use the space," says George Glasier, one of Pluck's founders. "As well as being home for her and her husband, Thom, the kitchen is also used for cookery classes, photo shoots, and dreaming up new recipes, so it had to be practical for her professional needs."

Even if you aren't creating meals for cookbooks, Instagram, or major publications, here are some ideas and products that might help you make better use of your own kitchen.

"Anna needed as much worktop space as possible, so we designed a large island," says George. "We carefully aligned the position of the fridge, sink, and cooker, which makes moving around the space efficient and logical."
"Anna needed as much worktop space as possible, so we designed a large island," says George. "We carefully aligned the position of the fridge, sink, and cooker, which makes moving around the space efficient and logical."
"Due to her profession, Anna has a serious amount of cookware and needs her selection of ingredients to be easily accessible," says George. "For the latter, we tailored an extra tall larder [pantry, for those not familiar with the British term], and Anna specified the individual height of the internal shelves, as she had plotted what she wanted to go where."
As much as storage was important in the space, keeping things aesthetically appealing was also a priority. "Anna had a clear vision of the palette and textures she wanted, so we worked with her to choose materials that would fit with that," says George. "We were able to source extra wide crown-cut elm veneers for the project, and the wood’s grain is spectacular without dominating."

Organization and Design

Anna most looked forward to having an organized space where everything is on hand. "I was especially excited about the larder cupboard along with all new Miele appliances. I was just ready to get back to work in a calm and usable environment," Anna says. "I make sure I clean up at the end of each day—it's my workspace too, so it feels like a necessary must to start each day with a clear, clean space. My husband has a strong obsessive connection with the dishwasher and won’t let anyone else use it, which has proven useful too."

Since Anna's apartment is a converted Victorian schoolhouse in East London with double-height ceilings, Pluck was sure to maximize the space by designing extra-high cabinetry. "The island is also a large piece of furniture, so we were careful that visually these pieces didn’t feel bulky in spite of their size," says George. Paying attention to space and scale helped make use of the unique interior.

Anna's favorite local design shop is Design & That: "They stock the brand Menu, which I love. The rug, lights, glassware, carafe, and salt and pepper shakers are all from there."
"I love the elm used for the island," says Anna. "The larder cupboard is definitely a favorite feature. I have everything in jars, so it’s always very pleasing to look at—and to use."
"I love the elm used for the island," says Anna. "The larder cupboard is definitely a favorite feature. I have everything in jars, so it’s always very pleasing to look at—and to use."

Sustainability and Quality Products

In both the everyday kitchen items and the major design of the space, Anna and Pluck were conscious about sustainability and products that would last. "Over the past year or two, I’ve tried to really think about where I make my purchases from," says Anna. "I think about the quality of what I buy and the longevity of it. We have a great zero-waste shop called Bulk Market where you take your empty jars and containers and stock up. I’m also a fan of using wax sheets instead of cling film, and I refuse to throw anything out. I’ll find a way to use up everything we buy and freeze it to prevent waste."

The Pluck team has a similar sentiment when it comes to sustainability. As George explains, "Our furniture is designed and made to last and we have carefully chosen the materials we work with. The carcasses of our cabinets are made from birch plywood that is either FSC- or PEFC-certified, meaning the forests are sustainably managed. Our laminate suppliers have comprehensive environmental policies in place. We use wood veneers to minimize the amount of hardwood—in this case elm—in each kitchen too."

When your tools are on display and need to hold up to some serious use, quality craftsmanship makes all the difference. For example, Anna is a big fan of her Miele refrigerator and induction cooktop. "The fridge-freezer makes a huge difference with how long your produce lasts," she says. "It keeps herbs and vegetables fresher for longer."
"The Miele induction hob [aka cooktop] that sits alongside two large gas rings, and the worktop extractor, which are in constant use and positioned in the center of the island, bring me a lot of joy," adds Anna.
Other products she can't live without: her Kenwood mixer and pasta-rolling machine and Japanese knives from Kitchen Provisions.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest