My New Favorite Kitchen Corner (made from forgotten things)

How a weekend of rearranging—and a few forgotten favorites—turned one small corner of my kitchen into a cozy, functional space I now use every morning.

It’s funny how one home project can create a ripple effect in every direction. Once we installed the cabinets in my husband’s whiskey lounge, it opened up so much much-needed storage—and suddenly, I found myself rearranging half the kitchen.

I spent the weekend moving less-used pieces to those new cabinets downstairs, and the result? My kitchen feels lighter. Easier. Happier.

And as part of that shuffle, something sweet and unexpected happened: I created a little toasting station. A cozy corner that makes me smile every time I walk by.

The best part? I didn’t buy a thing. Every piece came from something I already had—things I wasn’t using, had forgotten about, or just needed to see with fresh eyes.

Like this French butter crock I tucked in. It keeps butter perfectly soft using a simple water seal (just remember to change the water every few days—add a pinch of salt if you’d like). I’ve had it for years and now I wonder why I ever put it away.

Next to it, a honey jar I’d never used until now. I warmed the plastic bottle in hot water to loosen it up and poured the honey into this sweet little pot. And you know what? Because it’s easier to use, it gets used.

I almost upgraded our toaster, but after a good cleaning and some elbow grease, I realized I still love this one. It shines now—literally and figuratively.

I added a small stack of breadboards for texture. Even though I’ve moved on from the 2010s farmhouse look, I still love this mixed media board. I simply flipped it to hide the text and let the wood and marble do the talking.

That little framed artwork? It used to sit on my living room shelves, but it felt more at home here. I printed it from my computer and slipped it into a simple Target frame—a tiny touch that adds so much charm.

The marble salt cellar had also been sitting unused. I finally filled it with fleur de sel, a flaky sea salt that’s just divine with a drizzle of honey. Trust me—on warm toast, it’s a must-try.

If you haven’t made Half Baked Harvest’s beer bread, it’s a simple, hearty loaf that’s delicious. And that cranberry walnut bread from Costco? A seasonal treat I’ll be trying to recreate year-round.

This little toasting station has me thinking about the simple joy of baking bread again. The comfort of it. The smell while it bakes. That satisfying moment when you slice into something warm you made with your own hands for your family.

A Few Takeaways:

• Sometimes, a little reorganization is all it takes to uncover things you already love.

• Beautiful, functional corners can come from things you already have.

• Creating a space that works for you adds joy to the everyday.

• And maybe, just maybe, it’ll inspire you to return to something you love—like baking a loaf of bread, and enjoying a slow morning with tea and toast.