I’m sure it’s no secret by now that at Sparrow HQ, we like the coffee! I try to keep it to three trips a day to my much-loved coffee machine, but welllll, some days it’s a little more than that.
In the past, by the time I grabbed a mug, milk, coffee pods, and spoon, I felt like I was digging around every nook of the kitchen just to make a cup of coffee. And because I want it like, right now, not ten minutes from now, but five minutes ago now, I needed to try and keep everything right at my fingertips. I love organising my home as much as I love organising a wedding, so cue the Coffee Station Project.
Here’s what you need -
* Coffee Machine - I use a Nespresso pod machine. I’d love a full-blown profesh barista type, but since I’m the only one in my household who drinks the liquid gold that seemed like overkill. Sad Panda.
* Canisters - I’m a sucker for a pretty canister. Mine don’t all match but that’s okay, because I’m not about being perfect. Individually they’re all beautiful.
* Mugs - I have these gorgeous ceramic beakers that look like plastic cups and come in heaps of cute colours. I found them at a homewares store in Berry, NSW and so wish I’d bought more! To keep things simple, I decided to keep only these four mugs on the shelf. The rest of our mugs are in another cabinet and I only bring them out when we have family/friends over.
* Coffee Pods or Beans, * Sugar, and * Hot Chocolate if that’s your preference, all go in the canisters.
* Spoons - I have a few so-kitsch-they’re-cool souvenir spoons I’ve found while poking around antique stores.
* Mr Pickles the Rabbit - okay, he’s not essential, but he totally brings the cute factor! You could go for a plant or floral arrangement instead.
I also have some huge Friends-style mugs on the top shelf that serve as soup bowls on occasion, and a honey jar, just to add a bit of colour and fun. I don’t use those so often, hence the top shelf location. If you’ve met me in person you’ll know that I’m, um, height-challenged.
The only thing I need to bring to the station is milk from the fridge, and I pass that on my way to the machine :)
I’m lucky enough to have open shelving in my kitchen that’s conveniently located over the power outlet so I’ve arranged my canisters and the rest on those. (I’m sure those shelves are probably designed to display vases and cook-books but coffee serves a greater need in my opinion). If you don’t have shelves or an overhead cabinet available, you could get an inexpensive tray from Target or KMart and place it on the counter-top next to your machine. This will keep the various bits and pieces neat, and corralled in one spot.
A coffee station is also such a good idea if you have a guest room. Your visitors can make themselves a cup any time they like, without disturbing the rest of the household. Just a small coffee machine, mug, a few pods, some sugar, and a lil’ jug of milk placed there the night before.
There you have it dear readers. Not my usual wedding post, but I enjoyed putting my coffee station together so much that I wanted to share it with you. Let me know in the comments if you’d like more posts like this one, or if I should stick with the weddings and events. Promise, no offence taken either way :) Are you going to clear out some space on your counter for your very own high-end shrine to coffee?
* Please excuse the fact that the pics in this post are NOT profesh as you’d usually see on the Sparrow blog. Just iphone pics and a good old filter!