The Little (Not White) Pantry

I've never really had a pantry.  As a designer, I've designed and styled many.  I've always been in awe of highly styled pantries.  They are some of my favorite areas to work on because they can be a bit bold and push the style boundaries for the home's aesthetic. My mother had a small pantry and kept all of her china, fine serving pieces, and silver. No food- it was strictly for entertaining.  It had a cedar lined closet inside it for her highly starched linens, which she used often.  While my friends would be quick to tell you what a lousy hostess I am, I couldn't do without the lovely pantry any longer.  I've been toting around the china and silver trays I inherited and didn't want them to stay boxed up any longer.  They should be enjoyed. 
This space we grabbed for the pantry used to be a porch.  You had to step down from the kitchen into it, and it was pretty much an unfinished space. We raised the floors, divided up the space into the pantry and the laundry room.  Before:

Floor Plan As Purchased: 

Remodel: (Part of "room" became the pantry). 

I didn't want to go too far outside the cottage vibe anywhere in this house.  It is what it is, and I don't want to make it dress up any fancier than it should be.  The little White House is not going to be wearing any metallic wallpaper or high gloss.  While I love doing that look for clients, this just isn't the house.  
I saw Schumacher's Lily of the Valley fabric and knew I wanted it to set the tone for the space.  I wanted open shelving, butcher block and under counter curtains. I was thinking a casual, but feminine almost elevated-country vibe (is that a thing?). I like things hidden away, so if it's not something we use daily, it goes under the counter or in a cabinet. I picked a bolder paint color than I would normally go with, but I love it, and it plays off the kitchen so well.  
We have our cookbooks out here - yes, we still use cookbooks.  My daughter loves cooking, and we have old passed down family cookbooks, so it's special to have them out for her to use.

Thank you Wheaton Whaley Home for the excellent job on the counter curtains, and of course, Owners Choice for the beautiful work!