Is that entire rendering just the one wall? (if so, why the break in the middle?) Or is the drawing on the right (with the sink) the one we should be paying attention to? I think your idea of an open shelf on the bottom for frequently used items is fine - so long as you don't have a big dust/pet hair issue in your home.

If the cabinet to the left starts at the same height - even without an open shelf - it would be plenty symmetrical for my eye.

I should have clarified. It is not one wall, the right side is the sink wall and the left is the range wall.

I have open shelves and love them. Wish I had more space for them. My most used dishes and cups are on them.The first picture in the link shows them. My corbels and shelves are custom made to my specifications in consultation with the cabinetmaker.

scrappy25 kitchen

Scrappy: that's your kitchen? It's beautiful! Do you think it would be ok to do the open shelves on just the cab on the right side of the sink or should I do the same on the left? I would also keep my most often used dishes on the open shelves for convenience of use.

Melis918!!!!!!

I didn't even pay attention to the username when I was replying!

THANK YOU for the beautiful Staub dutch oven, I use it every day!!!

I pm'd you to see how I could get you a picture of it in my kitchen.

As to the shelves-

I would do it on both sides both for symmetry and for function. Do you see how I wrapped mine around the corner ? You could do that but don't put them under the double door cabinets on both sides of the hood - you need that working space there. I have upper cabinets with an integral 1 inch "light rail". My uppers including that "light rail" end 20 inches above the counter. These are the instructions I sent the cabinetmaker.

The shelves under the cabinets attached to the corbels should have their bottom edge 6.5 inches under the rim edge of the cabinets, 7 inches deep.

The 7 inches deep ensures that I have sufficient working space on the counter for tall items in front of the shelves, yet still fits my bowls, small plates, Sonos, and 2 deep coffee cups. I specified the height of the shelves to be sure that my coffeemaker could fit underneath. Hope that helps

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Scrappy, I love your little open shelves and corbels. I'm a little curious about the long one over the coffee maker. I could see that warping over time if it's not supported in the middle. Are there any invisible supports I'm not seeing?

Including the open shelf do you plan on having them being the same height? I do like the way scrappy has hers wrapped around the corner. However, you don't have to have them the same. You already don't have symmetry because of the different sizes of cabinets so what you're going for now is visual weighted symmetry. I think because of the different sizes of cabinets and with the larger one being open on the bottom you'll be fine.

Hi denizenx, there is no middle support and I never thought about the possible warping.

The shelf would be easy enough to replace if it does warp. Everything is screwed together and my contractor had to take down the shelves and corbels when he did the backsplash, and put them back up again. The paint is standard White Dove which is easily available and the shelves are standard 3/4 inch plywood.

After thinking about it all day, I've decided to definitely do the open shelf on both the right and left, wrapping it around to the next cabinet on the range wall. I'm sure when I email my KD she will be less than thrilled that I've come up with yet another change.