simplifying my pantry




Hi honey.  I recently simplified my pantry because it had become complicated. That's the thing about chemo and hospice, boy does it mess with your appetite.  So if Larry had a craving for anything, I went out and bought it right away.  Most times it was just one bite and nope, not going down.  So the pantry was full of things I'd never eat.  These pictures are not particularly styled nor is the pantry super clean.  I plan to take everything out and give it a good wash and fresh coat of paint.  But who knows when that'll happen, if ever so this is what you get 😀.


On the left side are my seeds, nuts, oats, beans and flours.  I found those antique pestles at an estate sale for $2 each.  And my French Laundry cookbook is ready for inspiration.  I'll get there one day🙏.


Along the back wall is a tray full of vinegars, some tomatoes and basil from the garden and lemons from Alex & B's garden.  Sparkling water, potatoes and pastas. The broom is from The Laundress.



Now directly to the right of that is this v. difficult side to photograph.  But the top holds my dutch ovens and a waffle maker I never use.  The shelf below holds canned goods.



Below is my little coffee station, my Dualit toaster I recently bought at an estate sale for $10! Each one is hand made in England, steal of the century.  And my Vitamix.

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Even more difficult to photograph is the bottom.  I have 4 baskets and each one holds like things to make things simple.  Top left is baking supplies.  Top right is packages of nutritional yeast, granola, risotto.  Bottom left are some paper goods like kids birthday party things.  And some cat food for the stray cats I've been feeding 😺. Bottom right is what I call my emergency basket.  If I lose power or get sick or can't get to the market, I have things to tide me over for a few days.  Soups, canned chili, ramen, granola bars, soymilk.  And that my friends is my simplified pantry. x

41 comments

  1. Oh Janet I could stare at that all day long ! I repackage into glass too but my sheving much more crowded. I do keep baking items together in a basket in cabinet.
    Thanks for the beautiful photos and inspiration.
    Connie

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  2. Very inspiring! Love the glass jars and baskets. Catching these glimpses into your home always inspires me with ideas. Especially love all the organizing tips and tricks, and every so often I revisit and look at all your photos. My current pantry is a cavern and difficult to see what all is in there. I too use baskets, they are so helpful. We are getting ready to move so this is a chance to clean out, yay! Next pantry will be more accessible so am excited about that. I used to live in Redlands, still miss it!! xoxoxo

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  3. Every corner of your house is beautiful and serene. I could hang out in that pantry!

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  4. I love your pantry...always wanted one. It must be convenient having open shelves which make it easy to see what you have available. I have several deep cupboards which I try to keep organized but often have to remove things to find what I am looking for...I would love to know more about that cookbook!

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  5. The pantry in my Lexington house was very similar. I got great joy from measuring the height of paper towels, bottled water, etc...for proper shelf placement. It also had a window that opened! With two teens and a dog, it was the quietest and most organized room in the house. I often found myself hiding out in this space, taking the breeze, and a deep breath or two ~

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  6. A walk in pantry, how wonderful! I'm looking for glass jars to replace my plastic containers. Maybe i need to look at vintage ones, yours are perfect. Do you have a microwave?

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  7. Thank you for sharing. I love your house so much & you’ve inspired me over the years to keep things simple. My pantry is out of control right now w/both my boys home for summer. I read something recently that really resonated- “store things at the store”. Why do I always feel the need to stock up? Nesting instincts I guess. 🤗

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  8. You are the Queen of simplicity. I wish I were more like you. I love the little pantry. The window for light is good also. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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  9. I love it. The simplicity is beautiful. And that toaster!

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  10. This pantry is one of my dreams--so simple, so organized, and even a window to keep it bright and airy. Thank you for sharing.

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  11. As the French Language would exclaim; "Magnifique!" Style at its finest. Inspiring.

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  12. love this clean and organized space.

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  13. It's simple, beautiful, and elegant as always!

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  14. Your pantry is a work of art.....! Wow - that toaster ! What a find that was !

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  15. You hit jackpot with that toaster! I love that you have electrical outlets in your pantry. Unfortunately, I have what amounts to a narrow tall cabinet that is referred to as a “pantry.” I try not to keep much because it’s so frustrating to use. You’ve inspired me to come up with a better plan in the fall, I have things in jars too but let’s face it I’m not going to pop popcorn and what’s the chances I’ll ever need 500 bay leaves?
    Best,
    Kathy

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    Replies
    1. 500 Bay leaves??!! This has me laughing because just today I investigated the top shelf of my pantry. What do I find but 3 large jars of bay leaves. What on earth? I'm betting there's at least 500 in there...

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  16. As always, Janet, you have the Midas touch. Lovely, again.

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  17. Janet,
    Even your pantry inspires me. I truly have enjoyed the shared images of your lovely home for as long as I can remember finding your blog site. It's always such a warm and welcoming home.
    Karen

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  18. Your pantry is perfect. The fact that it has a window is lovely. I dream of having a pantry someday, some house. My home is small and there is no space to build one. After my husband passed away, I decided to chalk paint all of my kitchen cabinets, update the hardware, get new countertops and add a new backsplash. I had never painted with chalkpaint before let alone tackling a fairly large job. After some rookie mistakes, I finished the job and have been pleased as punch with my choices. It seems taking on a long overdue project helped to clean and organize my thoughts after a difficult two years. Just take the time to do what you feel will soothe your heart and soul.

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  19. that is the neatest and most beautiful little pantry I've ever seen! and I love that it has a window! xo

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  20. Yours has always been my dream pantry. I have the black hole floor to ceiling counter-depth cabinet for mine. I've figured out some tricks to improve it but would like to go back in time and speak with whoever designed those cabinets.

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  21. "But who knows when that will happen, if ever so this is what you get". True words/good attitude. When life changing things happen, that's the way it is. Do what you can, when you can - or never, if it comes to that. I've always loved your pantry - to be able to step into it . . . and to have a window. My heart be still. My pantry is a large floor to ceiling pantry cupboard - no walking in there. My real wish, though, is for a kitchen with a window over the kitchen sink. For me to have a window over my kitchen sink, I would be looking into the bathroom!

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  22. Dadgumit girl - that is such a perfect pantry! I love everything about it.

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  23. Janet, you have such a knack for making everyday life beautiful. Such a valuable gift xx

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  24. Love Love Love your pantry! I love how you take everything out and put tge food in your own jars etc. This is one of my favorite rooms in your house!

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  25. I love your pantry, Janet. It rests there peacefully waiting for your presence and then soothes your heart and soul by meeting your physical needs when called upon. I have dreams of such an organized and idyllic space but, oh the horrors of Costco! I know I'm so blessed to have my husband with me but he does not identify with "store at the store" and cannot get his head around the fact that giant containers only cost $1 more than the little ones. And if you get three?.... well, it's not going to go bad. Thank you for continuing to share your life. I so much admire you and send prayers your way every day.

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  26. Janet, your pantry is the culinary equivalent of Sara Berman's closet.

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  27. Even your pantry is stylish and swoon worthy.

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  28. OMG Janet- I actually want to move into your pantry! I don't know how you do it but everything you touch is so very beautiful. And, honestly, it is amazing that you can make seeds, oats, and potatoes look so gorgeous! I love that you have supplies for stray cats and emergencies. I can't tell you how inspired I am by all your posts. You have taught me how to live with-in my means (love being debt free!) and yet have a simply elegant home- can't thank you enough!!

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  29. what an antidote to the world which bombards us with so much stuff all the time. You show us a way to be elegant by having less and by being more mindful. You always inspire me.
    Darby

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  30. My pantry is at the bottom of my basement stairs...no space upstairs. It began life organized, but this was the winter I was supposed to clean house in the pantry. Adopted a dog instead & spent most of the winter getting him worked into my routine with one other dog & a cat. That's how life is...planning doesn't always make it happen. But your panty is my new inspiration...perhaps on a rainy day this summer it will happen!

    Anita ~ the cabin on the creek
    ...all is grace!

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  31. This comment may never appear as I have great difficulty in getting comments to post.

    But you have inspired me to sort my pantry. Sadly it does not have electric sockets or a window but is a good storage. A luck of paint is all that is needed now. My late husband would not recognise it. Such a lot of out of date things have hit the dustbin that I felt quite guilty at the waste. At least I can find things now. Thank you.

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  32. I am envious of your walk-in pantry - and so organized, too! I don't have a pantry - just my kitchen cabinets. However, we do have a basement so we have metal storage shelving units down there. One holds pantry overflow and the other holds extra paper goods and cat food.

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  33. I had large walk-in pantry (really a small room) with window and drawers, cabinets, work space, open shelves when we lived in CT. But it NEVER had the elegant simplicity of yours :) You could give a master class in design, paring down, organization (what I try and do with my writing...EDIT, EDIT, EDIT.) You are an inspiration, for so many reasons. Debbie

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  34. My dream pantry. So neat and tidy. My utility (laundry room) is the nearest I get to a pantry and seeing your pics has confirmed what I knew but didn't voice - my name is Mary and my utility is a MESS!
    Thanks for sharing, I'll save the pic as my pantry goal.
    Hugs, Mary x.
    thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com

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  35. Oh, to have a pantry! And one as organized as yours. Lovely as always :)

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  36. Pantry goals...I loved this post Janet. I finally got my laundry room in order. Now I need to get my pantry in order. I love the idea of baskets. It makes the ugly pantry (mine that is) look so much more put together. You always inspire me with your wonderful fashion sense and your darling home. I am looking forward to having you join our fashion post in August!

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