This model is intended for wall installation. The wood parts are made out of a resilient, strong maple wood, which has been oiled to extend the lifespan of the shelves. The frame and supports are made out of chromed steel (or stainless steel). The various hooks included with each rack hold cookware and utensils with perforated handles; similarly, equipment with simple hooked handles can be hung onto the sides of the shelf frame. You can also use the hooks to dry fresh, green herbs and have them available in the same spot as the spices near the stove.

We found the racks in Vermont; they are produced in a handcraft factory in Dorset. For almost 70 years they have made use of wood from the region’s abundantly growing sugar maple trees and manufactured furniture and frequently used kitchen utensils. The form of our racks reflects the typical American idea of keeping workspace in the kitchen as open as possible.

The idea is not completely new; the first pioneer women in America used more simple constructions than these racks that can easily be hung from the ceiling beams of a wood cabin. Racks like the ones presented here are still ubiquitous in North American kitchens, while we tend to still prefer storing in cupboards (a practice that, due to tight spaces, does not lead to very practical stacking).