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Simple Joyful Food

encourager of simple eats + happy living

kitchen basics

Pantry inspiration: Beth Stephen’s minimal pantry.

March 13, 2019 4 Comments
pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - main (c)thejoyofeatingwell

There are reasons why there are an overwhelming amount of decorating magazines, home remodeling shows and zillions of photographs pinned on Pinterest boards marked pantry inspiration or simply as “inspiration.” Let’s face it; we live in a world bursting with creative geniuses at our fingertips. We watch from afar and dream. Dream about marbled kitchen countertops with the perfect hint of pink quartz peaking through, that walk-in closet with clothes organized so cleverly, and that garden that seemingly has no bad weather, no bugs, no insects or no need for water. Picture perfect.

Perfection is in the eye of the beholder, of course.  And whenever I come across someone with a touch of genius when it comes to organizing or decorating his or her kitchen or pantry, I must share it with you. 

Beth’s pantry is one of those musts. Beth and I go wayyyy back in the blogging world, when she had multiple blog sites and one in particular called The Food Adventuress. Nowadays, she has merged all of those shiny-sparkling sites into one, Little Magpie. Appropriately named, since Magpies are known for loving all the shiny things and wholeheartedly going after all of them with gusto. That’s Beth. These days Beth blazes an energizing path in the online digital influencer world with her role as President of Soapbox Influence (where I happen to work, too!). This is a good fit for her personality, since the digital world moves swiftly and changes direction constantly, and just when you think you have it figured out… an algorithm changes. 

Ironically, Beth’s pantry is quiet, simplified, curated and minimally perfect. Not distracting or overwhelmingly filled with gusto. Before you think that two personalities are in play, it’s not. Having life buttoned up in key areas of her everyday life allows Beth to easily jump on and ride the waves with everything else. Come along with me, and take a tour. Hopefully you’ll find an idea or two to pin, dream about or even emulate.

Pantry inspiration: Spice organization.

Beth’s husband Fred built this functionally pretty rack to fit her mason jars, as well as a few multi-sized random spice containers. Free from distraction, the focus is on the spices, not the brands.

pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - spice rack (c)thejoyofeatingwell


pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - spice rack up close (c)thejoyofeatingwell

Pantry inspiration: Storing meal essentials.

Beth’s pantry closet in her kitchen isn’t crammed packed of this, that and every purchased-on-a-whim package of whatever. Instead, she has designated this prime property for one purpose: essentials at her fingertips. At any given moment, Beth is able to whip up the core for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I half-jokingly called this her “carb closet” once I saw it. The more I think about it, its beauty is more than visual… it’s beautifully and brilliantly designed for action.

pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - essentials (c)thejoyofeatingwell


pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - essentials up close (c)thejoyofeatingwell

Pantry inspiration: Organizing ingredients so they are ready for meal prep.

Beth and I share the same pantry philosophy… keep ingredients minimal and as least processed as possible. Her pantry isn’t overflowing so organization is easy when there is less. 

pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - pantry (c)thejoyofeatingwell


pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - pantry up close (c)thejoyofeatingwell

Curation continues when it comes to snacks and goodies in this pantry. Beth believes that it is important to keep treats as treats, not as something you take for granted. Her kids know exactly what is available and restocking is quick and easy when visibility is clear.

pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - pantry snacks (c)thejoyofeatingwell


pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - pantry goodies (c)thejoyofeatingwell

Pantry inspiration: What is Beth’s absolute cannot-live-without-ingredient?

Maille L’Orginale Moutarde Fine De Dijon. That’s right, the original French Dijon Mustard, originated in 1747. When I asked her about her favorite pantry ingredient, she did take a moment to ponder it, which is telling since I know for a fact that her pantry is stocked with thought. “Maille mustard is my favorite. It takes me back to when I was studying French and living abroad in France.” So, it’s more than an ingredient… it’s a memory, too.

pantry inspirations - Beth Stephens - Maille mustard Beth (c)thejoyofeatingwell


pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - Maille mustard (c)thejoyofeatingwell

Pantry inspiration: My actionable take-away? 

You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve shared a tour of Beth’s kitchen and left with inspiration. Years ago when she was living in downtown Rogers in a century-old beauty of a home, her spice pantry inspired me to copy it during my own remodel. This time I was inspired in a different, less-physical and more-emotional way. Perhaps it’s my season in life or maybe I’m just getting a little cozier the older I get. My favorite takeaway is this cute little sign, tucked behind a door in the pantry room by the spices, just inches away from darling aprons. My takeaway? Curate a space that is inviting to others and to myself.

pantry inspiration - Beth Stephens - come on in (c)thejoyofeatingwell

What inspired you? Are you dreaming of a minimized pantry for yourself? What’s holding you back?

Less stress and more joy, my friends.

Lyndi

You might also like...

#Farm2Home14 inspiration. Pantry inspiration: Beth Stephens, The Food Adventuress kitchen tour. Kitchen storage inspiration.

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  1. Bethany Stephens says

    March 13, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    Wow, friend – you always make me look far more buttoned up than I feel! Spending time with you is always a joy, and while I love that this post captures some of my persnickety pantry predilections (say that 5x fast), what I love most is the way you captured such a fun day together!

    So glad we have more quality time together on the horizon. 🙂

    (P.S. have I told you how much I LURRRVE your blog evolution??!)

    Reply
    • Lyndi Fultz says

      March 18, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Stop it! You’re buttoned up and you know it! It’s not about perfection, right? It’s about keeping things running smoothly and that you have buttoned up, for sure! P.S. Thank you! I’ve LOVED bouncing ideas off of you!

      Reply
  2. Debbie says

    March 14, 2019 at 5:38 pm

    Love it!

    Reply
    • Lyndi Fultz says

      March 18, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Thanks, Debbie! It’s been a while since I’ve done a kitchen tour like yours! Have you posted your kitchen remodel yet?

      Reply

hellooooo!

author image of thejoyofeatingwell blogHi, friend.

My name is Lyndi Fultz and I live in Northwest Arkansas in the beautiful Ozarks.

In this blog you’ll learn how to make simple and healthy meals. I also share the benefits of finding the joy in everyday living.

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