Cameron Diaz's glazed cabinetry 'breaks up the monotony of repetitive' kitchen design, experts say

A cabinet is, above all, practical, but in Cameron Diaz's home, it's a statement piece.

Enter – the actress's glazed cabinetry, serving as a reminder that we don't need to sacrifice aesthetics (or personality) when choosing functional storage pieces. In her Montecito abode, Diaz has installed a glass-fronted cabinet (complete with a black-pained frame and illuminated shelves) that turn her plates, dishes and cocktail glasses into decorative pieces. 

From dining room to kitchen storage, glazed cabinets like Diaz's have long influenced how we design, but experts say their appeal is not set to waver. We're sure that Diaz's home is far from compact; however, this glass has a size-enhancing quality that's welcome in spaces large and small. 

'Glass is an excellent finish for kitchens. Not only do glazed cabinets break up the monotony of repetitive, solid fronted doors – especially in large spaces – they maximize the flow of light into darker corners,' comments kitchen designer Tom Howley. 

'Used in the right places, such as in corners or where there is a lot of closed cabinetry, glass-fronted cabinets can make your kitchen look even more spacious.' Size-enhancing benefits aside, however, designers love glass cabinetry for the way it allows us to get personal with our storage.  

Open shelving, also a favorite in Cameron Diaz's kitchen, is one way to exhibit personality while storing our everyday essentials, but glass cabinets elevate this further. 

'Having glass-fronted doors is as good as open shelving when it comes to displaying your prized pieces. They're also fantastic when accessing everyday essentials, allowing you to see what you have and where you've put things,' Tom says. 'If you have beautiful crystal, or you're proud of your dishware, why hide it away in the dark?'

As mentioned, Diaz draws further attention to her cabinetry (and its contents) by illumining her shelves with small lights. This gives the piece a more luxurious aesthetic, but it's surprisingly easy to recreate.

'Adding integrated mood lighting ensures your finest pieces are never forgotten. It also provides an alternative ambient light source when you're enjoying a romantic dinner or cocktails with friends,' Tom comments. Adding ambient lighting also emphasizes the possessions we keep upon our shelves, because, this look is about celebrating our personalities, after all. 

Tom Howley

Tom Howley founded the luxury British kitchen brand in 2004. With showrooms across the country, he specializes in fitting beautiful, bespoke kitchen designs crafted from the finest materials.

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