OPEN SHELVING IS HERE TO STAY!
4 Reasons to Ditch Closed-Off Cabinetry
If you’re not glued to home-makeover shows or constantly thumbing a housekeeping magazine, you might find it tricky to stay on top of the latest trends. And, with the ever-changing design fads, few things stand the test of time. However, one trend seems to have beaten the odds: open shelving! Having exposed shelves in kitchens is nothing new, but it’s a trend that keeps popping up in even the chicest and most modern kitchens. Using floating shelves is an easy way to upgrade your space to feel modern yet classic, all at once. Here are the benefits of ditching that closed-off cabinetry for open shelving. It’s cost-effective. If you’re looking to spruce up your space without blowing your budget, open shelving might be your kitchen design. Open shelving uses fewer materials, so it naturally costs less than an enclosed cabinet. While new cabinetry can cost anywhere from $4,000–$13,000, according to Home Advisors, open shelving might only run you a few hundred dollars. You can see it all. Gone are the days when you had to throw open several cabinets looking for that serving platter. Each dish, bowl, cup, mug, and piece of cookware is easy to find when you can see it all. Open shelving also makes it easier for your guests to find things when they stop over for dinner or stay for the weekend.
The space is flexible . Since there are no set boundaries like cabinet walls or dividers, you can arrange your space however you see fit. That giant bowl that never fits inside your cabinet can rest easy on its floating shelf. You could even stack other bowls inside it or pop a few plates underneath. Cleaning becomes easy. Open shelving takes the win when it’s time to clean the kitchen after a meal or deep clean in the spring. Not only are clean dishes easier to put back in their places, but cleaning the shelves themselves is a breeze. To clean your shelves, you only need to lift the dishware, spray with your favorite cleaning solution, and wipe! If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to make your life easier in the kitchen, floating shelves are for you. Stay ahead of the home trends with this timeless design!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs Inspired by TheFoodieAffair.com
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
• 1 cup powdered sugar • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp softened butter • 1 lb white chocolate candy coating
Directions
1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, and softened butter. Mix until evenly combined. 3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the lined cookie sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until firm. 4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate candy coating in increments of 30 seconds, stirring occasionally until smooth. 5. In the same bowl, use skewers to dip peanut butter balls into the chocolate before placing them on a lined cookie sheet so they can harden. 6. Chill until ready, then serve!
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