Guest Post: Susi with Arcadian Lighting

Hi, I’m Susi, a blogger for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful source for inspiration for light fixtures and decorating the home. I’m a big fan of the cheap and free schools of decorating, so I’m thrilled to be guest blogging at Free Stylin’ today. My post is all about creating the look of a stylish butler’s pantry without major cost. Enjoy!

The easiest way to create the look and feel of a butler’s pantry in any kitchen is to have gorgeous shelving. Open shelves with neatly arranged glassware, china and food are a low cost to get this look.

If your kitchen has a hall or alcove leading into it, turn it into a butler’s pantry with a bookshelf or hutch.

This super stylish butler’s pantry could be recreated using thrifty finds. A dresser would work as the lower cabinet and kitchen cabinets found on Freecycle or Craigslist; paint everything the same color for a built-in look. For maximum impact, add under cabinet lighting and perhaps a glam chandelier.

Chic and sophisticated, this pantry has a mirrored backsplash and dark colored cabinets and cubbies. Recreate this look the thrifty way with paint and mirror squares as the backsplash.

Open shelving, created either by taking the doors off cupboards or installing bookshelves like these, are great for storage that has the look of a butler’s pantry. A stylish lighting fixture and under cabinet lights show off the cool color choice.

Ikea makes great floating shelves that would work to recreate the look of this contemporary butler’s pantry. Placing shelves from ceiling to floor in a galley kitchen or along one wall would create the feel of a butler’s pantry.

Find salvaged kitchen cabinets through Freecycle or Craigslist and paint them to recreate the look of this dark, dramatic butler’s pantry. Mount them all the way up to the ceiling for tons of storage. Glass doors would be a plus.

A great way to create a butler’s pantry is beautiful storage jars and containers that you are proud to display. Inexpensive Mason jars, glass bottles with stoppers from Ikea, thrift store finds all make for pretty storage that looks great on an open shelf along with collections of glassware and china.

Something about the Butler pantry look is so sophisticated, and makes me want to get cooking or baking. What do you think? For fresh interior design and lighting ideas daily, stopy by Arcadian Lighting’s blog! (Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

*Thanks, Susi, for the great ideas!!*