sam0267 - Alas, Pick 'n Save does not ship anywhere. However, I found a great many sources when I Googled "Counter top flatware caddy". http://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?_adv_prop=image&fr=goodsearch-yhsif&va=countertop+flatware+caddy

We just extended our home, adding a dining kitchen downstairs. Despite moving from a galley kitchen to this larger Ushaped room, I still have the same clutter on my worktops. I store dry goods like flour and sugar in stoneware crocks collected from antique fairs. The toaster, juicer, kettle and microwave are used daily, so no point in storing them in a cupboard. Stonewear jars of utensils sit either side of the cooker, herbs and spices are on shelves close to hand while cooking and jars of pulses and pasta are on open shelves, giving colour to the room. The kitchen is where my husband and I like to cook, so what's the point of hiding everything in drawers and cupboards?

Right now, as we're slowly settling in, the percolator, Keurig and coffee tree are on the counter by the breakfast bar.

The OTR microwave is sitting on top of the refrigerator drawers waiting to be hung. The WaterWise distiller is sitting on top of the counter-height refrigerator. Hopefully that will decide to migrate into the Butler's Pantry eventually.

The fluorescent bar lamp over the breakfast bar bit the dust a few days ago. I moved two decorative lamps over to the counters to help shed a little light on the subject.

Trying to keep everything organised while living in the middle of a destruction zone LoL Drywall dust, insulation fluff, and critter fuzz is not the most appetizing seasoning HaHa.

Coffee Maker, toaster, fruit bowl, painting, and a rooster

I like a clean counter with electronic things out of sight. What I do have is the antique bowls, 1930s mixer, butter churn, and old canisters. You get the idea. Is it creepy to like doing things the old way just for the enjoyment of it?

It's your home. You can do whatever you want. :-)

Gayle, I also like roosters. Here is my rooster wine rack. (It also holds my daughter's water bottle!) :-)

Sure I like it clean and minimal stuff if I am taking a pic but in real life we need that stuff so hey a little bit of stuff is only natural if you are enjoying life instead of constantly cleaning!!

decorative liquid hand and dishwasher soap dispenser by sinks, toaster and coffee pot on either side of the stove, small planter on main counter along with fresh fruit bowl ( a living plant in every room is a must for me) and one small decorative item that ties in with the accent color in my kitchen. Sounds like a lot, but I have a good bit of counter space and these items keep it from looking overly bare. Oops. Forgot my stainless steel and glass salt and pepper mills.

Typically, not much - sugar canister, paper towel holders, cooking wine, toaster and coffee makers. If there's a last minute impromptu party though.....

I have a cutting board, toaster, paper towel holder and my George Foreman grill!

love that plate holder, Any ideas on purchasing one?

We have our house for sale so not much is out in the open and even less when it is shown. Today, for a showing, the only things I'll leave out are my rooster, a bowl of 'real' fruit, standing paper towel holder, knife block, matching hen, electric can opener and the coffee maker. Oh, and a whimsical hen cookie jar. With this list, just imagine what I put out of sight. We have lots of counter space but I want to show off the granite counters, not the clutter.

where's Margo?? she would love the roosters!!

I have my mixer in a bottom cabinet sitting on a swing/spring loaded shelf. Easy to install and so much easier on my back. No heavy lifting! The shelf swings out to be level with the counter top The negative is that it does take up the whole narrow cabinet, but I am able to store the beaters and shield under the shelf. . I would not change it...love, love the convenience!

I have lots of "loved" items on my counters, I like to see a kitchen that's clean and lived in. I'm also lucky enough to have a ton of counter space and storage for appliances, except the breakfast corner of coffee machine, electric kettle, toaster and large antique cake box, two levels!!! That is my bread box.

ooohh cake!!! :)

I have my knife block on the prep counter. I have an open style kitchen/dining with shelving so everything I need is within reach or a few steps away. I have only bare essentials by preference so my shelves aren't cluttered. I have a row of glass vases with catkin branches that divide the area between my sink and eating bar if that counts as kitchen counter space. My utensils sit in glass vases on a shelf that rests on the stove back. As for everyday life, I have a counter that changes from clean to cluttered and back to clean several times an hour. I use it as my Command Central for projects, paperwork and unloading groceries throughout my waking hours.

Susan bishop thanks for your help

Command Central. I love it!! crystynarenee!! I confess to the knife block and my ceramic bowl full of hotpads and several jars full of utensils (not like I don't have a drawer full too!!!)
but my command central? my spot on the sofa!!! :)

One end of my kitchen counter ends up being my office. I need to find another place for it, but it's so convenient! What do people do with ripening fruit? Today I have 3 avocados, 3 small limes and 2 bananas ripening on my countertop, I always seem to have food on the counter waiting to be prepared, if I put it in the pantry I forget to use it!

Mousemaker, I like your command central, more comfy! If I used a couch I'd be nappin' on the job :) Oh wait, I do that in my recliners.

Not much. Galley kitchen, so I have spices, container with spatulas, etc.

I try to keep as much clutter stashed away ... the state of the kitchen in this picture is pretty accurate but it is not quite so clean and neat (but I don't usually have much more out)...

lc29, In the corner of my kitchen cabinet I have a large basket of artificial fruit. I always put my ripening real fruit into the same basket. It looks great and serves a good purpose.

lc29, here is a pic of my "mixed" fruit basket. The onions and apple are the real fruit in this pic but I normally have avocados and other fruit there also.

jefting ...I'm also a marble counter owner and keep it at a clean sweep! It was not my choice; I moved into it. Marble can become your nemesis if you prefer 'spotless' and it was pricey to have it restored back to the shine. It has to be treated carefully (no harsh chemicals, ie: vinegar or lemon cleaners) and I have become an avid butcher-block cutting-board prep artist! I like my counters clutter free. I don't get why a toaster can't be unplugged and stored in a cupboard right below after use. All appliances are within reach below the spot I use them...and it's good exercise to bend at the knees! Knives in a holder, a few in season colors of flowers, fruit or veggies are my decor, and of course paper towels for quick wipe ups. With an open concept main floor (condo loft) I prefer seeing less mess which helps me relax.

Superb job J.B. !!

ic29, at the end of the week I make a smoothy with most of the leftover I have. Just add a cup of orange juice, some water and a little ice and voilà you have a nice breakfeast drink for the weekend.

Thanks, kroze! BTW, I thought your colourful basket WAS all the real deal! Looks yummy!

oh oh :) spices? I have two drawers full and a cupboard above, plus my stash :)

Gee whiz, mousy, don't tell everyone about your stash !!! ;D

well, you would have to know where to find it :)

Kroze, that Chinese made Pineapple needs to be eaten...or thrown out. lol It reminded me of the pineapple we popped into the 'food hammock' on board in Honolulu, sailed it around Oahu and Molo kaii for two weeks, brought it back to our hotel, and finally tossed it in the bin three weeks after we bought it. A well traveled pineapple. Like yours. : )

Shown: Poinsettia, reindeer cookie jar, lazy Susan with evoo, salt, pepper, tomatoes and garlic, cutting board and toaster. Not shown: keys, phones and chargers, Christmas catalogs, pile of bills, dirty dinner dishes :)

pattikee, I absolutely love the reindeer cookie jar! I want one...My counters are usually pretty spare with just the coffee maker, a bowl of fruit and a 125 year old flow blue salt crock. That said, I have roommates who insist on putting their phone, GPS, assorted chargers, keys, mail, bills etc. etc. on the counter. What's a girl to do???

What is a Keurig?

One of the single serving coffee makers.

Pattikee, that is a gorgeous range!

I have two of these Keurigs and could not live without them! I set up a "coffee or tea station" for any Holiday gatherings or just anytime I have overnight visitors. They can make their own coffee or tea one cup at a time!

You are definitely the hostess with the mostess! : )

As you can see above, I set up a moving cart and place the coffee or tea station somewhere other than in the middle of the kitchen, leaving me room to do whatever tasks I need to be doing. My guests have plenty of choices as to different flavors on the rotational single coffee/tea holder. I have more pictures on my website: www.meandmycaptain.com ....if you would like to see them.

I went to your website but quickly exited!!! It was too tempting.... and I am dieting! : /

I can't fathom doing that much detailed food preparation. I suppose it is an art form for you. Congratulations on a great website.

thanks! but if you go to "Confessions - over the hedge" you can see comments on everyday life and most comments are not about food. Please look at the Pool Boy post1 :)

I have 40 inches of counter space--and no pantry. I am drooling over all the clean counters. I have 12 inches to the right or my stove with all of my spices, oils, cooking wine and vinegars arranged in rows by height and usage. My most valued appliance is my Vitamix because it can be used like many different ones. It is squeezed to the right of my sink just before the cabinet, otherwise it would not fit at all. To its right and under the cabinet is an ice bucket which contains spatulas, blender sticks, etc -- anything to big to stick in a drawer. Lining the back wall behind that are bins for rice, tea, and pasta. I have one more skinny place which has the rice maker in back and coffee maker in front. I am left with two sq ft of clean counter, which is my food prep area.

cinnamon13, I read it and you are a gifted writer. It was hilarious!

I used to have a pool and pool service but I don't think I ever laid eyes on the man. But then, I never got into the pool either..... : )

thank you....please feel free to drop by every now and then....:)

Thanks Leslie - we don't have those here. But we have nespresso and other knock offs.

my mother's house had a very small kitchen. She had only about 12" of counterspace depth because her countertop was always crowded with items including a big dish drainer that was never put away so in my small kitchen I have minimal clutter to maximize the work area that is available. I don't purchase a lot of kitchen gadgets or extra pots so there isn't a storage issue.

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