2022 House Goals – Leveling Up In The Kitchen

I only make one resolution every year. Or at least that’s what I’ve done for the past 10 years or so, but I typically make a list of house goals. And that list is usually very project-based. But this year I’m taking a slightly different approach. I mean, I still have a list of home-related projects I want to tackle this year, like organizing the garage for instance (which will likely end up on my 2023 list as well). 😉 Just keeping it real. But, apart from projects, my number one home-related objective this year is to start leveling up in the kitchen. Are you wondering what that means?

Well, let me tell you. It’s a phrase I made up as I was thinking about what I really want to focus on in my home this year. And it basically sums up…..

• wanting to be thoughtful about what I’m using in the kitchen from pots and pans to glassware and storage containers
• reevaluating where and how things are stored
• putting time, energy, and funds towards new & vintage additions that will serve us well and make my heart happy
• curating pieces that are about more than just function and are quality-made
• letting go of things I no longer want, use, or need
• and just generally creating a kitchen that is well equipped with everything needed to prepare a meal and entertain with joy!

I love our kitchen. The layout and general bones and finishes….love them.

But I don’t have a bundt cake pan or a set of mixing bowls. Honestly, sets of any kind are almost nonexistent. And as much as I love mixing and matching, a set of soup bowls or drinking glasses would be nice to set the table.

My cutting boards have seen better days.

My cookie sheets are trash.

And well, I realized how poor the conditions of our kitchen items were when over the holidays I went to grab the scissors from the junk drawer, and they wouldn’t cut through the package I was trying to open. The blades of the scissors were dull, the handle wasn’t opening and closing smoothly, and I ended up tearing the package open and penne pasta went flying all over the place.

So much of what we have, we’ve had for years…..maybe since we got married 21 years ago? And while I’ll never get rid of our crystal champagne flutes (even though I’m down to just 5 after three of them broke during our last move), it’s likely time for our cutting board to retire.

But replacing it all at one time? I don’t want to do that.

I want to take my time and enjoy the process of collecting and curating. I want to spread the cost out over the year so that I can invest in quality items that will last me another 20 years or so.

So this is the year I’m leveling up in the kitchen. It’s time. And I’m feeling pretty excited about it!

I’ve already replaced those worn-out junk drawer scissors with this beauty!

And I thrifted this gorgeous brass pepper mill!

I made a list of needs and wants to keep me on task, and I’ve started purging and organizing.

Somehow, making this a year-long project makes it feel more fun like it’s less of a to-do list item or chore and more of an adventure! At least that’s how I’m choosing to look at it, and perspective is everything, isn’t it?

What are you focusing on this year? Do you make house goals or set home objectives?

A few items that have caught my eye…..