You might watch Gwyneth Paltrow's iconic #boyfriendbreakfast videos for her omelette recipe, but the whole time she was cooking, I was distracted by something else. The clean white cabinets and Mediterranean-blue backsplash aren't the only design details in the space — no, it was the vintage rolling ladder that caught my eye.
The bold design choice might not be everyone's first thought when designing a kitchen. In fact, for many of us, it would probably be quite impractical. But then again, the Goop founder isn't afraid of a bold idea.
And in her kitchen, with its high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, it works, accentuating the sense of space and providing a characterful way to access those high shelves. Here's why and how to make a kitchen ladder work.
Gwyneth Paltrow's kitchen ladder runs along a beautiful gold bar mounted to the white cabinets (a design feature in its own right), meaning it can be pushed along the wall of cabinetry depending on where it's needed.
As for how often it realistically gets used? Probably not a lot. From the looks of it, the upper cabinets are storing color-coordinated books and decorative vases that I can't see the star reaching for all that often. But do I think all design ideas need to be practical? Of course not.
"Do I think every kitchen needs a ladder in it? No, of course I don't," adds Livingetc's kitchen design writer Maya Glantz. "However, if you're lucky enough to have a kitchen with beautiful high ceilings and equally high cabinets to match, I think they can be a very useful addition. Plus, functionality aside, I also think they add a charming bistro-like quality to your space, especially when done like Gwyneth's with all the gorgeous gold hardware."
Beyond the ladder, there's also plenty of other details to love in Gwyneth's kitchen. And below, I've sourced a few homewares inspired by her Mediterranean-farmhouse style.
Gwyneth's kitchen features an open wall cabinet filled with blue and white Mediterranean plates. This beautiful hand-painted bowl would make the perfect display feature in any kitchen.
If you want the ladder look without committing to a permanent installation, this sleek step ladder is a great option. You can store it away neatly when not in use to maintain space in your kitchen.
Continue the blue and white theme with this simple but colorful splatterware jug from M&S in the same white and blue palette.
This chopping board is great for the rustic farmhouse feel, also, it's sealed with all natural oils, which feels very Goop-coded.
Replicate Gwyneth's shiny gold hardware on her sliding ladder and cabinet door handles. Sometimes it's the small details that make the biggest difference.
Recreate the look of the blue and white tile backsplash with these ceramic tile coasters from Etsy. You could even stick them to the wall if you really wanted.
Don't have space in your kitchen for a ladder? Fair enough — not everyone does. But maybe you're really pressed for space. Here's how to decide if a dining table or a kitchen island would be more useful for your space.