The Barefoot Contessa's Pantry

I am obsessed with Ina Garten and her pantry. Call me crazy, but when her show airs I wait breathlessly for the camera to pan the white shelved larder behind her. I just wish they would film her walking into it so I could get a better look.

From what I can see, the placement of her platters, cook and bake ware, canned goods and assorted incidentals speak to the orderly side of me. Leave it to Ina to choose form and function with a dose of panache.

So, when we saw our new house the first time, it was the walk-in pantry that won me over!  Although the previous owners used it as an office, I saw the potential of my kitchen dreams.

Yesterday I drove two hours to Loew's, just for white steel units similar to hers. It was tight, fitting three large boxes in the car. Little did I know I was taking my life in my hands. When I stopped for a red light one of the boxes slid forward and almost took me out. Thankfully, my freakishly superhuman strength kicked in and I shoved it back with one hand. Weird, I know. Oh, the lengths we will go for design!

Ina Garten's Pantry