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My amazing pantry makeover with pullout storage drawers

June 25, 2021 4 Comments

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Today, I’m excited to bring you the long overdue rundown of exactly what we did in my recent pantry makeover with TANSEL and just how happy that bit of home organisation heaven has made me. I mean, just look at her now! Sigh…

I remember when we put this kitchen in four years ago and how excited I was to have a full height and 900mm wide pantry, after surviving with a veritably teensy one for the short amount of time we lived with the old (sixties) kitchen. I mean, it looked massive. In reality though, it was full of dead space at the backs of the shelves and in between them. I just kept adding basket after box to try and group things together but in true Jen style, it soon became a case of ‘if it’s behind closed doors and nobody else sees it, who cares?’ and things got pretty ugly at times!

BEFORE: Top half of the pantry (you bet I tidied it up a little for the photo!)
BEFORE: Bottom half of the pantry

Enter Tanya Selever, the founder of TANSEL, whose pull-out solutions I’d been watching with awe and envy on Instagram for months. When she offered to help double my useable storage and make my pantry pretty (which, let’s face it, is satisfying too!), I didn’t need asking twice!

So, what did we do? With the help of her trusty installer Mark, we removed three adjustable shelves, added a vertical division in the upper part of the pantry and added pull-out storage. There are three full width drawers at the bottom, a whole bank of them on the lefthand side and on the righthand side, where I’d had a power socket put in to enable me to hide the toaster away (I have issues), we created a fun breakfast nook with some small shelves above for teas, jams and the like.

The challenges

“This pantry had loads of wasted space, access issues in the lower sections and a power point with a toaster,” Tanya explains. “To make this space functional (and not creating a fire hazard with the shelves being too close to the toaster, required some ‘creative solutions’ (which the TANSEL team does like no other!).

“The spacing between the shelves created a whole lot of “airโ€, which really is an opportunity to create more useable storage. In a typical pantry like this, this “air” is common because you need to reach into the back but (more commonly) people just clutter the space by stacking items on top of each other. As a result you buy more of what you already have but just can’t see it. In short โ€“ the shelves become a haven for stuff that you can’t access. 

“The other challenge we had (but really just another great opportunity) was the toaster and powerpoint. With a little thinking outside the squareโ€ this space could be transformed into a functional zone.” 

Our objectives with this makeover were to create more useable storage, maximise the functionality of the space and create family friendly organisation. I was keen to have somewhere to organise the kids’ many individual snack items. they may not look the prettiest, but a pantry needs to really work for you as well as looking great and feeling organised. And the snack grid system Tanya suggested is actually one of my favourite parts!

How we organised it all

The pantry is now split into three distinct zones:

Lower pantry

Taking out one shelf and adding three stainless steel TANSEL drawers (with removable non-slip bases) created 25% more usable space. “The bottom part of a pantry is always the most difficult to access so pull out storage is a must have,” Tanya says. “The great thing is you can add drawers as you need, when you need, and within your budget. We used the Drawer Organisation inserts to organise kids’ snacks and smaller items.” TANSEL created this system to provide maximum flexibility – you change and reconfigure it as you need.

Righthand upper pantry โ€“ toaster nook

We split the upper pantry so we could have the best of both worlds; the hiding place for the toaster (with enough space to ensure a fire hazard was not created when using it and still having storage above using shallow shelves. The open shelving also looks colourful and interesting as a bonus!

Lefthand upper pantry โ€“ slide out storage

“This solution really made the best of all available space. We kept the upper fixed shelf so Jen can store items not used on a regular basis, but everything else on the left was converted into pull out storage,” Tanya says. “We double the useable space between the upper and mid fixed shelves. The additional storage is now easy to access and with a little organisation, this pantry is now a winner!” 

Tanya says all pantries with shelves have similar issues of dead space. “Most people are not aware that there are many ways to create functional zones and organise the space, which we did in Jenโ€™s pantry. This makeover ticked many boxes because we used a wide range of solutions to store and organise. Decluttering and decanting is also another important โ€œto doโ€ if you want to take organisation to the next level.”

I must say I am really enjoying the decanting life (and we must mention the OXO POP Containers from Howards Storage World because they’re the best and the quality is evident) and filling things up after a trip to the shops. Most of all though, it makes it easy to see what I have so I don’t buy more until I need it. No more piles of bags of pasta in a corner!

So while many people think a butler’s pantry is the Ferrari of pantries, a regular, bog standard 900mm one can achieve greatness too, see! And some people just don’t have the space for a butler’s, especially if they’ve renovated an older home, as we have.

The TANSEL system is available via their website and through Howards Storage World and can be retro-fitted into any kind of kitchen. It can even be installed by a handy DIY-er. “People often need help finding the perfect solution for their space. Our range is extensive, which is great because so many things are possible, but we encourage people to contact our team for advice. We know that measuring and installing is not everyoneโ€™s cup of tea, or they are just simply too busy. We therefore offer a measurement and install service across Australia.”

They can even advise you how to minimise holes inside the cabinet if you’re renting. “Our products are made using stainless steel wire and come with a lifetime warranty so if you move house, there are many ways our products can be re-purposed!” 

And the cost?

Transforming an existing cabinet is much more cost-effective than starting from scratch. What we did in my pantry would cost around $1700 including installation and additional materials. This includes a whopping seven stainless steel pullout baskets with opal bases and a lifetime warranty.

FOR MORE ON TANSEL or find them at Howards Storage World

Thanks to my friends at The Wholefoods Refillery for helping fill my new canisters with pretty (and delicious!) food. Readers can get 20% off their first online order with the code JEN20.

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

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Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

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Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJodie Milwright says

    June 27, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Thanks Jen! Now I will have to do my pantry…
    It’s already pretty organised but I LOVE those pullout shelves.
    x

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      June 28, 2021 at 10:07 am

      They’re so game changing!

      Reply
  2. AvatarDianne says

    June 27, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    Looks amazing! I would need steps to reach the top half, lol, and am curious about where the coffee is ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      June 28, 2021 at 10:13 am

      The coffee is actually in the cupboard above the kettle and coffee machine and the refills are in the basket on the top shelf of the pantry! I can just reach on tippy toes ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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