Who doesn’t want to live a Ina Garten-inspired life? Her accessible yet elegant approach to cooking, food, and home design has inspired generations. There’s one Ina Garten kitchen style tip that’s recently caught our eye. The Barefoot Contessa’s Substack is full of delicious recipes and clever tricks, including this design suggestion: "Choose a small color palette and stick to it, such as white china and silver," Garten wrote in her post.
This is a decorating tip that’s incredibly easy to incorporate, no matter what your kitchen looks like. You don’t need to overhaul your cabinets or buy an entirely new set of dishes — simply choosing a few complementary colors for the pieces you have on display can make the space feel more cohesive. And Garten’s suggestion is easy to adapt to your own style, whether that means sticking with classic white and silver or choosing another simple color combination you love.
Eagle-eyed fans might be quick to notice she’s been incorporating this combination for years. A quick look at her Instagram feed will show a creamy Dutch oven and muted bowls conveniently next to silver cake stands and pitchers. Ahead, read more of Ina Garten’s kitchen design advice for creating a timeless look.
It's a pairing that feels so classic, so expected, and, okay, if we're being a little honest, potentially boring. However, as far as we're concerned, the beauty of this trick lies in its simplicity. We love discovering the latest and great kitchen trends as much as the next design enthusiast, but most people don't restock their plates and serveware willy nilly. Rather, many homeowners prefer to invest in their kitchen accessories—only replacing them when something breaks and tarnishes beyond repair.
White and silver are incredibly timeless, so they'll look good with virtually every trend. Plus, it's easy to add to your inventory should something break. In fact, an assortment of different shapes, materials, or undertones will create a vibe that's collected and curated, not chaotic. Bonus points if you can show off your collection with open shelves or glass-fronted cabinetry. "If you display dishes and trays that you actually use and love, your kitchen just feels alive," she shares.
In fact, Garten actually recommends pairing old and new pieces for a "pleasing arrangement." "Choose different shapes—round, flat, plus different heights—to sit next to each other," she adds. "A shelf of all round bowls or all flat plates can be a little boring."
Want to give your white and silver kitchen accessories a little oomph? Garten recommends taking your arrangement to new heights by leaning a platter against a wall or incorporating a stack of cookbooks or a wireless table lamp. "Every day when I arrive at the barn, I think, 'I can’t believe I get to work here,'" Garten wrote. "I hope your beautiful displays will help you feel the same way about your kitchen!" In the iconic words of Garten herself, how easy is that?
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
