We are doing open shelves. Here are a few of my inspiration photos.

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This is what we did with our one corner; I wasn't sure about it at first (hard to picture in the drawing), but I am very pleased with how it works. It leaves a little spot in the corner to tuck away a mixer or toaster or something.

By all means don't let yourself get talked into doing the articulated corner door on the upper cabinet! I have one (installed by PO), and I hate it. It never seems to stay closed properly, it gets really dinged up, and it doesn't take very much at all to throw it out of alignment altogether, requiring a lot of fiddling and cursing to rehang the door properly. Also, unless your counters are really deep, you'll likely find yourself bonking yourself in the head with it with depressing regularity. At least, I sure do. It's the #1 thing I'm looking forward to getting rid of once we can get started on a remodel. It's just awful (and it doesn't help that it's the only place I've got right now to store our dishes, so I need to deal with it *constantly*. Grrrr....)

I really like segbrown's corner! It looks great, and seems like it would give you a far more useful space than the usual corner cabinet arrangements, which even left open, tend to have a depth problem that make them sort of a pain to use. (In fact, I'm filing that picture away for future reference for myself. Thanks!) I'm sure it's a lot more cost effective than a cabinet as well. Your cabinet guy or any carpenter could probably whip up something like that in a jiff.

I need to take some updated pictures as the window has now been painted and looks a little more finished. I love my open shelving.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm leaning more and more towards the open shelving (ours would be done on the corner...so "L" shaped shelving with cabinets flanking either side). Does anyone remember a kitchen where the owner displayed all white pieces on her shelves with one pink vase? I could be off on the colors here- it's been awhile. Thanks!

In that first pic there are only 11 little things on the shelves...and like all the other pics it's staged beautifully. I lived with open shelves on a much, much smaller scale. I loved the open space at eye level but things got yucky...needed constant dusting/wiping/editing....if you're disciplined go for it...I gave up

Look at my post about "white granite or marble backsplash". It's one of the posts still visible. There are two pictures posted that have open shelves.

Thank you for the photos! It's helpful to see some options. I'm still hitting the finished kitchens blog trying to find good examples to show my husband.

Segbrown...it is helpful to see your cabinet. Ours would wrap around the corner (and not go to the counter) but would be similar. It's helpful to see your you utilize your shelving!

farmhousebound...I LOVE your kitchen. I originally started out wanting cabinets that were a similar green as you have. Although we changed to white, I am always drawn to that color. Your kitchen is very inviting :)

thanks again!

I really like this one. it has the hinged door - which I don't like either, but it could be done w/o the door on it and then put cabs w/doors on either side.

Take a look at a current thread by trailrunner, "...big....cutting board". You will see her dh working in their open shelved kitchen. Very good photos. They are truly enjoying their space.

I use this area to store my copper pots.

Look at remodelqueen on this page. She has very pretty open corner shelves.

Here is a link that might be useful: Open Corner Shelves

Here are few.

Ina Garten's Kitchen

Decorpad Green Paint

Kitchen 551

Google Image

Canopy Hood pull out spice rack (notice the corner cab)

Wow! Thank you so much for the additional photos. I've been back and forth as to whether I wanted to do the corner shelves. I was leaning towards just going for it, but seeing the additional pictures has really helped me feel comfortable with it. Thank you!