WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH CUPBOARDS?

The girl whose fate holds stringing a sequence of words together to write an article about cupboards made a friend. Micro self deprecation aside, my friend obviously is a busy nerd. And no, she would never take offense to this. I would go as far as to say she would receive it as an overwhelmingly beautiful compliment. Anyways, the first time I was inside her apartment, I noticed every single one of her cupboards was wide open. I use the verb “notice” intentionally as “noticing” the vulnerability of the contents of her cupboards was not something that was regularly exercised by my friend.

It was incredible. Although initially, I thought it was quite absurd and something I could never bear to see in my own living space, after reflecting, I found myself wondering two things, “Should I keep my cabinets open?” I will break this curiosity and metaphor down. My friend has a busy life. She is very social, involved and travels almost every weekend for her job. Closing the cupboards takes a very small amount of time, but so do a lot of things. All of those seconds added up… equals time. Imagine how much time you have spent, over your lifetime, closing a cabinet! And precious time, my friends, is all we have. 

Let’s reframe. Cupboards are meant to be opened and closed, are they not? It is a door for God’s sake! I know you open your cupboards. I open mine! And unfortunately, sometimes my guests are able to see just what is laying within. Although I try my best to plan for all of the perfectly shimmering, clean glassware to be awaiting for the spritz and spirits of my visitors, sometimes they may get a sneak peek into the jumbled disarray of possibly… less presentable items. {Discount code: SPRITZ} It’s just a matter of me being comfortable with that type of vulnerability, and dare I say, my mom’s crystal cocktail chalices’ vulnerability. When I think of the event in which this happens, I realize my cupboards will be open no matter how hard I try to keep them closed. No amount of latches or magnets or hooks or hasps will keep them secured. I want those in my life to be able to see the inside of my cupboards- really see what is in there, with all its carefully crafted display but inherent messy fragility and decide to stay, anyway. 

Considering you are reading this and may decide to keep your cupboards wide open, did you know the original purpose of wallpaper was to decorate the inside of them? Ahhhh, yes, here is the hidden advertisement weaved within the wanna be philosophy lesson. Anyways, yes, in the 16th century, the earliest wallpapers were used to decorate the insides of cupboards and smaller rooms in merchants' houses. By the beginning of the 20th century, the range of uses grew. It was then found in the spots we all know and love wallpaper to be shown. Hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, patterned wallpaper was used in the homes of both the wealthy and rich. In the recent past, wallpaper has gotten a bad wrap (no pun intended, seriously. It was right there!) But now, it brings more character than ever to a space. Including dressing up the inside of your cupboards, just like the old days. This way, whether you decide to garnish the inside of your cupboards, cabinets or dresser drawers, the chaos that is inevitably unveiled is paired with a pattern with equal amount of character.