Cassie Bustamante

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Organize Me Pretty: Using Vintage In the Kitchen

October 8, 2014 by Cassie 70 Comments

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Organize Me Pretty - home tour

I was honored when Ursula asked me to be a part of her Organize Me Pretty Series! Obviously Ursula has never been to my house, because if she had, she may not have asked me! 😉 I am not always the most organized person. “It’s all up here,” I say, as I tap my head.

I thought long and hard about what I could write about, and the truth is that the kitchen is where I am the most organized (in my own Cassie way).  I always dream of having a beautiful pantry and all matching containers, but as it turns out I am one of those people who uses what I’ve got; and what I’ve got is a lot of vintage that makes for perfect kitchen storage.

kitchen111Can you spy some of the vintage pieces being used for storage?

To the left of the refrigerator I have an old minty green chippy filing cabinet.

vintage filing cabinet as kitchen storage

I love the character it adds to my space, but it’s also quite useful.  As you can see the top open shelf stores a variety of our every day glassware and mugs.  (The Star Wars glasses are Sawyer’s and every drink he has is served in those!)

glasses in old filing cabinet

The three drawers are also perfect for kitchen storage.  We don’t have much of a  pantry or much cabinet space anymore, so I use the top drawer to store all of our bread; the middle drawer is a necessary evil, the junk drawer; and the bottom drawer holds all of the random mugs we have (and we have several as friends know I like my coffee).

Above the filing cabinet, I have some vintage glass canisters that hold random goodies and important things like m&m’s.  And behind that I use a vintage child’s pool table top as a memo board to hold the kids’ art projects.

vintage kids pool table top as memo board

To the right of the refrigerator, we have an inexpensive industrial shelf, and I’ve used vintage crates and more to keep it organized.

The top shelf is where we stack all of our pots and pans.  Of course, they all have lids to go with them.  Can you spy the lids?  They are all being stored, along with colanders, in the wooden crate to the right.

industrial shelf for kitchen organization And as you can see I’ve got vintage jars in front of the crate to store nuts.  We love to snack on nuts, so we’ve gotpistachios, almonds, and cashews always on hand in these fancy vintage crown jars.

vintage jars for dry goods storageThis shelving unit also holds all of our baking goods as well as electronics.

industrial shelf and crates for storage in kitchen

The baking items are all stowed away in a wooden crate, and all of the small electronics are in the crate on the very bottom shelf.  Small electronics are always so awkward when it comes to shelf placement, but tossed in a crate, they don’t look so bad from the outside.  Inside is another story….

org industrial shelf 3But none of my guests typically go rooting through my crates, so what they can’t see can’t hurt them!

Our kitchen also features open shelving, and I use it to hide some of my necessities as well.  And by necessities I mean coffee.  And Splenda.  Can’t. Quit.

BSHT Kitchen 11

I found these adorable Polish vintage coffee and sugar containers at one of my favorite shops years ago.  I don’t actually use them for coffee and sugar, but they do look cute on the shelf!vintage canisters to organize in the kitchen

The pale blue coffee canister actually collects our Box Tops for Education throughout the year, and the sugar canister holds packets of splenda.

vintage enamel canisters for kitchen storage

And that white “coffee” canister you see with them on the shelf? Guess what it holds!

org coffee 2

My precious….. It holds my coffee, which currently happens to be Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice, and it’s DEEEE-licious!

Finally, I want to share one more space in the kitchen with you, our island.

industrial kitchen island

Our island holds all of our every day dishes, crates to store cutting boards and more.  And you can also see there is a stack of games- this is where we store the family favorites for easy access.

open shelving on island for every day dishes and vintage crates for storage

At one end of the island I have steel industrial shelves that I bought for a song.

vintage electrical industrial drawers for silverware storage

Though they look vintagey and slightly crusty on the outside, the inside was in clean and great shape!  This is where we store our silverware (not to be confused with electrical meters).  I purchased drawer organizers from Ikea that fit just perfectly!

vintage electrical industrial drawers for silverware storage

 

And that, my friends, is how my kitchen is more or less organized in its Cassie fashion.  Thank you soooo much to Ursula for having me in her Organize Me Pretty series!
Using Vintage Finds for Kitchen Organization

Be sure to check out all of the other amazing bloggers sharing their organized spaces!

Organize Me Pretty 2

Monday, Oct. 6th | Home Made by Carmona

Tuesday, Oct. 7th | A Thoughtful Place

Wednesday, Oct. 8th | Primitive & Proper

Thursday, Oct. 9th | Oh Everything Handmade

Friday, Oct. 10th | Up To Date Interiors

Saturday, Oct. 11th | Delineate Your Dwelling

Sunday, Oct. 12th | Life On Virginia Street

Monday, Oct. 13th | with HEART

Tuesday, Oct. 14th | The Blissful Bee

Wednesday, Oct. 15th | Cuckoo 4 Design

Thursday, Oct. 16th | Place Of My Taste

Friday, Oct. 17th | A Home Full of Color

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Filed Under: Kitchen, making our home, My House, Organization, Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    October 8, 2014 at 7:00 am

    You are still more organized than I am with your pretty vintage containers! Love the way you store your flatware too

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      oh i doubt it! 🙂 thank you!

      Reply
  2. Dana says

    October 8, 2014 at 7:18 am

    Your kitchen has so much personality. I, too, subscribe to the use whatcha got philosophy. The green chipy file cabinet has always been on of my favorites in your kitchen but you may have changed my mind today when I saw how you store your silverware. So fun!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      thank you so much, dana! i was so excited when i found those drawers- i just wish i could stack 3, but they do’t quite fit like that!

      Reply
  3. kirby carespodi says

    October 8, 2014 at 7:18 am

    We are going to be losing some of our storage when we remodel the kitchen. I am stressing. I think I have to get rid of some things, but I don’t wanna. How many pots an pans do I need, really?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      we use about 1 percent of our cookware. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Krystine www.KrystineEdwards.com/blog says

    October 8, 2014 at 8:10 am

    As long as you know where everything is, that’s organized! Love how you use all your vintage finds! So charming!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      so true! ha! 🙂 thank you!

      Reply
  5. Ursula @ Home Made by Carmona says

    October 8, 2014 at 8:18 am

    Golly, this is beautifully eclectic! I’m SUCH a sucker for eclectic vintage items…I wish I had more in my own home. I adore the way you work them into your space in a pretty but oh-so-practical way! Thank you so much for being part Cassie!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      thank you so much for having me! 🙂 glad i was able to share something. 😉

      Reply
  6. Kris {Driven by Décor} says

    October 8, 2014 at 8:30 am

    I love all of the unique ways that you use to organize things – your kitchen has so much character because of it. And PS – I’m obsessed with Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice coffee too – yum!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      isn’t it the best?!?!?! love it so much! i am a die hard dunkin girl anyhow.

      Reply
  7. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    October 8, 2014 at 8:34 am

    I don’t care what you say, you seem pretty organized to me. 🙂 xo

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      it’s all up here…..

      Reply
  8. sarah dorsey says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:12 am

    love your kitchen and vintage organization!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      thank you so much, sarah!

      Reply
  9. Anna says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:28 am

    The crate idea is great!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      thank you, anna!

      Reply
  10. Kelly Goldman says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:29 am

    I love the organization and function of your kitchen!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      thank you, kelly!

      Reply
  11. Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:37 am

    Love how your kitchen is just oozing charm and vintage containers. It is so pretty. Those crates are the bomb 🙂 Love how you set it all up!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      thank you so much, katja! i appreciate it!

      Reply
  12. Suzanne @ The Painted Drawer says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:48 am

    You just gave me some wonderful ideas! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      thank YOU! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Eva @ Four Leaf Clover says

    October 8, 2014 at 11:23 am

    I think that’s such a great idea and adds so much character to a kitchen! When I have my very own kitchen to decorate, I look forward to adding vintage storage touches, as well.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      thank you so much, eva!

      Reply
  14. Amy W says

    October 8, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    What a great space! Love that tile backsplash, too! Thanks for sharing… I’m sharing my projects this Saturday and can totally relate when you said, if Ursula saw your home she may not have asked you to join. Ha. But honestly, you did an amazing job!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      thank you so much, amy! the silverware may or may not have been much more disheveled in the drawer before photos…

      Reply
  15. Tone on Tone Loi Thai says

    October 8, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Those vintage pieces give your kitchen charm, character and style!! Looks fabulous, Cassie!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      thank you so much, loi! hope you are enjoying a lot of time in maine this season. i am new england home sick right now!

      Reply
  16. Danielle says

    October 8, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Gosh, lady, I never get tired of seeing your kitchen. LOVE it and all the organizing in there. x

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      thank you, my friend!

      Reply
  17. [email protected] says

    October 8, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    looooooooooove all this wonderful storage Cassie. The vintage baskets, boxes, and jars are perfection. Love that you gave old things utilitarian purpose. Thanks so much for sharing this inspiring space.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 8, 2014 at 5:46 pm

      thank you so much, shavonda! i love old things, what can i say? 🙂

      Reply
  18. [email protected] says

    October 8, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    People that have those perfectly organized cupboards with their matching containers make me all nervous. I’m also a big fan of using what you have. And Dunkin Pumpkin. But hold the sugar. Add the almond milk.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 9, 2014 at 3:49 pm

      yeah, it’s a little much for someone like me. they scare me 😉 road trip to meet in the middle at a centrally located dunkin??? yes??

      Reply
  19. Pine Tree Home says

    October 8, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    I really like the mix of vintage, industrial and modern all thrown in!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 9, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      thank you so much!

      Reply
  20. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    Those are magic crates! I would never have thought you had electronics hidden in there. Oh DD, it is my weakness.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 9, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      magical boxes of hidden messes!

      Reply
  21. Ali says

    October 8, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    Your kitchen rules! I love how you keep everything accessible but still tucked away in cool, unique vintage crates, drawers, etc. Super coolio perf!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 9, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      you rule! i want you to come see it in person new and improved! 🙂

      Reply
  22. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    October 9, 2014 at 8:06 am

    I love all of the vintage details, this is perfect timing for me as I start to try to hatch a plan for our kitchen renovation. And seriously, coffee, don’t even try. The world would end, I’m convinced of it.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 9, 2014 at 3:44 pm

      the world would end because i would be a raging b***h. 😉

      Reply
  23. [email protected] says

    October 9, 2014 at 10:27 am

    Love the idea of putting the small electronics in a wooden crate. I may have to try that. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 9, 2014 at 3:42 pm

      my kitchen is otherwise known as the place where i hide the messes in crates.

      Reply
  24. [email protected] says

    October 9, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Great mix! Don’t know what I love more…the jedi glassware or the box tops in the coffee canister! So clever!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 12, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      thank you so much, lula! jedi glassware is always in style here. 🙂

      Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    October 9, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    I love all your vintage pieces for organization! They are so fun and bring so much life to your kitchen!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 12, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      thank you so much!

      Reply
  26. Lynnette says

    October 10, 2014 at 11:01 am

    I love your kitchen. I’m so inspired by your mad design skills!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 12, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      thank you so much, lynette!

      Reply
  27. Kathy says

    October 10, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Cassie, I’m so glad you shared your kitchen organization with us. It has so much personality and I love how eclectic it is. What a fantastic use of space. It’s refreshing to see so much color, textures, and styles in one room. Is the sail boat painting a paint by number? I’m a sucker for those!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 12, 2014 at 3:51 pm

      thank you so much, kathy! yes, i have two nautical paint by numbers a friend gave me up on the shelf. 🙂 i have a thing for vintage seascapes, and have a wall of them in my dining room.

      Reply
  28. [email protected] says

    October 10, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    I like your vintage mix style of organizing, girl! Those crates are AWESOME…Xo

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 12, 2014 at 3:50 pm

      thank you so much, aniko!

      Reply
  29. Gretchen says

    October 14, 2014 at 8:51 am

    I guess I must have slept through a couple of days last week (ha! like Abe would ever let me do that)….I keep finding posts from people that I missed. And it would be very sad to miss a post about your kitchen! I love how you’ve embraced the lack of hidden storage space in the kitchen–it’s such a friendly looking space. I just have one question: where DO you keep your electrical meters?! 😉

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      October 14, 2014 at 9:15 am

      i keep them in my silverware drawer. 😉

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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