If you’re into your Netflix food documentaries (aren’t we all?) then you likely recognize the name Noma. Even if you’ve never been tho the restaurant, or to Copenhagen for that matter, you’ve witnessed the exquisite beauty of Chef Rene Redzepi’s experimental dishes. It’s been named the Best Restaurant in the World four times and counting, so I think it’s safe to say Redzepi deserves to cook in the world’s best kitchen at home.
So what does one find in the world’s best kitchen? Oak, raw steel accents, a burnished brass backsplash, handmade ceramics, a Grand Cuisine oven, and a few more of Redzepi’s favorite things.
Just as I was beginning to lose hope that my kitchen could ever look this good, I learned that Redzepi and his wife love to furnish their home with finds from flea markets and second-hand stores! For those of us who don’t have custom Danish cabinetmakers at our disposal, there are still a few lessons we can bring home.
1. Clear off your counters.
What Redzepi does have in his kitchen is almost as important as what he doesn’t have, so start by clearing off what’s migrated to your counters. Through everyday use, an item here and there that never got returned to its storage place starts to add up, so this is a simple way to start your quick kitchen upgrade. Clear everything off, then embody the exacting nature of Redzepi when deciding what gets to go back.
2. Cull the color.
Aside from the mint paint of the window frame (love that touch!) this kitchen’s comprised of neutral woods, concrete grays, steel blacks, and matching ceramics. Hide any colorful product packaging, for example decant your dish soap into a neutral dispenser like this one from Muji and put grains and snacks in canisters.
3. Display only your best appliances.
You won’t find a plethora of appliances and cords here. Just an espresso machine (and a very nice one from the looks of it). An espresso machine may not make sense for your lifestyle – maybe you make a breakfast smoothie every morning, so leave out the blender, but put away any appliances that you’re not realistically using consistently.
4. Use what you have.
You may already have elements that work well for this look, like wooden spoons and cutting boards. If you have a large serving bowl that’s dark or wood, get that out and use it as a fruit bowl. If you have cast iron or black cookware, use that for any open shelving or storage you may have. Display your mortar and pestle and any stone or cement colored cookware you have.
Shop the Post.
Inspiration photo by Garde Hvalsoe, kitchen canisters Joinery, espresso maker Gaggia, wood bowl Joinery, Staub cast iron Williams Sonoma, molcajete Sur la Table (but you can buy this at your local supermarket), ceramic pitcher Joinery, photo of spoons by Shabby Love, dinnerware cb2, soap dispenser Muji.
