Secret Pantry

Challenge: To create a functional and organized design plan within an eight-by-five-foot pantry space, seamlessly placed behind elegant floor-to-ceiling, custom maple cabinet doors.
Challenge: To create a functional and organized design plan within an eight-by-five-foot pantry space, seamlessly placed behind elegant floor-to-ceiling, custom maple cabinet doors.

Solution: During the construction phase of the kitchen, David Ruebsam, project engineer for DeShelter Homes, envisioned a wall of cabinetry with double doors opening to a walk-in pantry. "When the house was completed and shown, nearly every visitor gasped in surprise when opening the doors to this secret pantry," according to Jack Davis of DeShetler Homes. Melissa Archer, design specialist for Beyond Storage, was enlisted to create a functional storage system for this large pantry space.

She says, "Beyond Storage offers custom solutions that include fully adjustable shelves and in this instance, rattan baskets to house organic produce. Eco-friendly clients can take it a step further and use our new ‘green' storage systems, manufactured from 100% recycled particleboard without the use of formaldehyde."

Kelly Schellert, ASID, of Sedoria, a design firm focusing on the green aspect of kitchen and bathroom design, arranged the bare shelves with a fresh, naturally-inspired design plan in keeping with the high quality and elegance of the magnificent cabinetry. "The pantry may be a secret, but the word is out; green is not just about design, but a way of life."

Using pantry storage items as accessories and arranging like items into organized, eye-catching compositions, Kelly believes, "strong design is not only beautiful, it is also functional." Glass containers display bulk items, such as pasta, beans and grains. The rattan baskets house locally grown staple vegetables. All of these familiar items – thoughtfully combined and arranged – add color, texture, and contrast, and invite you into a fabulous, organized and easy-to-use space.