We have all seen the utensil bouquet. Sometimes they are one color, simple, and sparse, other times they are colorful and bountiful.  Whether you like “matchy –match” sets or go wild and crazy outside the lines, a utensil bouquet adds a creative country kitchen accent and flare to your countertop. Also, it is quite convenient to have your cooking and serving utensils at your fingertips.

Gone is the day of the container marked “Utensils”.  Now, you make it your own.

 Getting Started

There are many containers you can use to hold your cooking and serving utensils. It is just a matter of considering what you see for that purpose, thinking outside the lines.

• For example, in my home we have a heavy-duty wrought iron kettle. It’s spiral handle adds charm. 
• It’s sturdy weight allows it to stand firmly, even as I wildly ransack it, with one eye on the soon to boil over pan on the stove.
• I put a trivet under it to keep it from scratching the counter.

Tips to Remember

• Heavy sturdy weight
• The right height. The utensils need to be able to stand in it without tipping out, but also be out enough to see and grab easily.
• The right size opening; To small of an opening makes it difficult to access your utensils, while too big of an opening allows the utensils to splay out too much, causing them to tip out, not to mention looking a bit messy.
• Colors- I am a fan of the monochromatic utensil ‘vase”, holding a cornucopia of utensils, different colors and styles. I like the look of the unexpected and the variety.
• My rule of thumb is polychromatic or patterned container goes with monochromatic utensils, and vice versa.

Most of my treasures are found at local consignment shops and Goodwill, so the variety is great, and the prices are great, too.  I have created a great utensil bouquet in a charming vase. I hope you have fun with your treasure hunt!