Fruit and Espresso Shelving: Dreams of Loft Living

The expertly measured espresso shelf in Lisa's downtown loft kitchen, 2011.

Not too long ago my friend Lisa sent me these photos of two new additions to her downtown loft kitchen-- a shelf for espresso-making supplies and large wall unit of shelves for ripening fruit.  I'm not sure which I like better, but I'm pretty jealous of them both.

The shelves and cabinets in my tiny 1920's kitchen are crammed full of a mishmash of objects and I love the idea that these shelving units are perfectly sized to fit the objects they're meant to corral.  It seems decadent to be able to create the ultimate in custom shelving whenever a new need arises and to have the space to do it.

The shelves were made by two of Lisa's loft-mates-- Aaron and Michael-- and it's easy to see that these shelves come from the talented brains and hands of artists.  (Yet another reason to love loft-living.)  Maybe it's my Type-A personality shining through or just an overwhelmed brain longing for order, but I'm now staring at the walls of my kitchen with an eye for destruction... and transformation.

Fruit shelves in Lisa' s kitchen, 2011.