|  They
release a bouquet of different smells, like magical potions, that can help turn
even the worst of cooks into treasured and envied chefs. The aromas of spices
and herbs such as basil or ginger or cilantro whiff out of relatively tiny containers
that are easy to lose in the jumble of serving spoons and pastry brushes. So of
course spice racks are mainstays in the kitchen of all serious chefs. Unfortunately,
more often than not, the chef's spice rack has had too long a stay in many homes.
Doesn't the zestful fragrance of oregano deserve more? After many years of being
overlooked, that cumbersome wooden rack no longer does justice to the garden of
flavors it holds.
With the flourishing popularity of herb gardens, there's
been an increase in newfangled spice racks. These new units can add a little something
special to a kitchen. While many chefs prefer placing the spices behind cabinet
doors, many very attractive and artful racks are available that can breath new
life into an indifferent nose, and add an attractive feature to your kitchen.
Chefs in their kitchens have often been compared to magicians or even scientists
in their labs. With that in mind, the new trend towards spice containers that
resemble glass test tubes makes perfect sense. These would look wonderful in any
style kitchen. These test tube containers  are
like small islands of color and class. The elegantly long tubes use corks for
stoppers and stand upright in a wooden, square container. Also, because they don't
take up much space, there's no reason for them not to be put on display. The only
drawback is that they don't have labels on the containers. This may only be a
problem for the novice spice cook. So unless you know your spices by sight and
smell, you may feel stranded without a guide to decipher one from another.
For those of us who don't know our spices by smell, let's turn to the more traditional
racks. These are a new take on the clunky wooden ones of yore. They're smaller,
more compact, less expensive and still complement a more traditional setting.
These more economical pieces have, you guessed it, less wood. They display the
colorful appearance of a rainbow of flavors, because the containers aren't masked
by a large, encumbering rack. In the quirky-style kitchen or the space
with an amalgam of different design motifs, a divorce from the traditional spice
rack is needed.  This
style comes in chrome, black, or white, and because of their rotund, circular
shape, they're often referred to as "carousels". With small square windows
that reveal the spice inside, these units also have automatic measuring knobs
to appease the most careful of chefs. Due to their size, they could find a home
in the smallest of kitchens. But because of their spacey design, the overall style
of the culinary space should be fun or wacky. While the wooden rack may
have fallen through the cracks in history, the chrome wire ones have a classic
touch and help define elegance. They come in many different shapes, from cylinder
to a set of rows to the test tube sort. Some of the rotating ones even have space
in the middle to use as storage for cooking utensils. On the other hand,
though they may be a step away from elegance, they're practical and fun –
the plastic, stackable containers can be a beautifying element. These come in
clear plastic, in simple shapes,  and
are large enough to hold a valuable quantity of spice. Arranged in an interesting
or inventive style, they'll add greatly to a space. The multitude of stylish
spice racks available makes having a good one a definite necessity in any kitchen
area. A beautiful piece can help define the entire space, just as a musty one
can spoil a setting. It's important to pay attention to all the little things;
and in doing so, spice things up a bit!
–Lauren
Ragland
Copyright © 2002
Sheffield
School of Interior Design
211 East 43rd St. New York, NY 10017
(212)
661-7270 Fax: (212) 867-8122 |
Let
us start off with a huge Happy Mother's Day to our Mom's and Dad's out
there. Your dedication and work as a single parent is surely worth celebrating!