Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets

After a recent kitchen update, as I was dusting and organizing all our crap to put back into the cabinets, my man turned to me and said, "Babe, think we can keep the decor to a minimum now that you're not trying to distract people from our fugly counter-tops anymore?". What? Simplicity? What the hell is that? Look bucko, you can't cage this beast. So you know what I did? I moved my attention up. A good relationship is about compromise, right? 

Before getting too deep, I'll admit I did this process barefoot with a barstool. Please be more responsible than me and use a sturdy ladder and wear rubber soled shoes. Disinfecting your counter is much cheaper and easier than an ER visit.

​Now, here's how to make this decorating process your bitch:

Don't feel like you have to decorate the ENTIRE length of the area. Divide upper cabinet space into small vignettes. And if the space is available, keep the quantity of these decor groupings to an odd number; it's more effortless if it's not completely even. 

Still may seem a bit daunting, so let's break it down a little further. Each Vignette can be easily put together using the following formula:
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Thin wall art  +  see-through receptacle with decor filler  +  2-3 chachkies  +  basket, wooden box or cake stand for chachkie propping  +  greenery  =  Solid Win

​Start with setting a background for your vignettes. Use thin wall art, tobacco baskets, large serving dishes, wooden cutting boards or metal signs that are easily propped against the wall. 

​Wall Art, Similar Wall Art, Cutting Board, Cutting Board, Small Washboard, Tobacco Basket, Similar Tobacco Basket, Barstools, Tiered Tray

​​Different levels will give your vignettes visual interest. Use decorative baskets, wooden boxes, cake stands or books to prop small items. Depending on if you have crown molding or a deep inset at the top of your cabinets, you may also get away with using unseen cardboard boxes or old magazines to set larger items at the height you'd like. 

Similar Wood Box, Similar Wood Boxes, Rustic Pedestal, Cake Stand, Books, Footed Trays, Nesting Houses, Similar Lantern, Similar Cow, Similar Cow

​Incorporate greenery for a pop of color. Softer green if you prefer a rustic look, darker green for more traditional. 

​Similar Plant, Similar Plant, Similar Plant

​​Play with your chachkies (no, not those). Easy go-to's are lanterns, candle sticks, vintage-esc kitchen scales, vases or pitchers and small wooden goods. Get pieces that speak to you and put them in your different decor groupings till you find the right spot. If you're unsure if you like something or not, leave it overnight and look at it again in the morning. There's clarity in morning light. 

Nesting Houses, Apothecary Jar, Wall Art, Similar Plant, Similar Washboard, Similar Basket, Similar Cutting Board, Small Lantern, Small Lantern, Medium Lantern, Medium Lantern, Pitcher

​For depth, find see-through decor pieces that can be filled with something pretty. Apothecary jars and wire baskets work awesome. I filled mine with wine corks (because I'm a lush) and rattan balls (ha, balls). And if you want to be a real over-achiever, you can switch up your filler for different holidays and seasons throughout the year. 

Apothecary Jar, Large Vase, Wire Baskets, Similar Terrarium, Similar Terrarium, Basket Balls, Stringy Balls, Textured Balls, Tobacco Basket, Similar Tobacco Basket

Voila!