9 Elevated Kitchen Finds Inspired by Ina Garten and My Mom

When my parents decided to renovate their house a few years ago, my mom seized the chance to create the kitchen of her dreams. Despite living by the ocean, my mom opted for a modern farmhouse aesthetic. While the construction provided a base for her vision, it was the decor that made it look like it was plucked from a Nancy Meyers film. My cooking muse, Ina Garten, also redid her kitchen a few years prior with the same farmhouse flair, and I couldn’t help but notice a few key pieces in both kitchens that gave them their elevated, quietly luxurious appearance. 

Luckily, my mom is a master at finding expensive-looking pieces for less at Amazon, so I had her pull a few items that help capture the aesthetic of both her and Garten’s kitchens. Her picks include a neutral linen set from KitchenAid, a beautiful porcelain cake stand you’ll always want to keep on display, and more, all under $50. Ahead, find nine finds that will have your kitchen looking like the Barefoot Contessa’s, starting at $12.

Mom and Ina Garten-Inspired Kitchen Finds Under $50

Lipper International Acacia Round Flair Bowl

“If you display dishes and trays that you actually use and love, your kitchen just feels alive,” Ina Garten notes in an Instagram post, and my mom wholeheartedly agrees. This sturdy, versatile bowl is crafted from acacia wood and can be used to hold fruit or as a salad bowl for a dinner party. One Amazon shopper wrote, “the design makes it look more expensive than it really is,” and added that it’s “excellent quality for the price.”

Yedio 10-Inch Porcelain Cake Stand

Similarly, cake stands, such as this elegant-looking porcelain option, are another serveware piece my mom and the Barefoot Contessa keep on display in the kitchen. This cake stand is perfect for cakes under 10 inches (or 12 if you opt for the bigger size), cupcakes, macarons, and more baked goods. The sleek design isn’t the only standout feature of the stand. It’s also safe for the microwave, oven, dishwasher, and freezer and has a weighted base for added stability.

Hasense Set of 4 Ceramic Coffee Cups

A mismatched mug collection can hold memories, but having a uniform display of coffee cups offers a cleaner look. My mom keeps attractive ceramic mugs, similar to this pottery-like set, by her coffee machine for easy access and stores our other, more sentimental mugs in a reachable cabinet. Amazon shoppers rave about these particular coffee mugs, with one person writing that they are both “large enough for big fingers” and “comfortable for small hands.” Another customer wrote that the “well-made” cups keep their “coffee warm longer.”

Vancasso Ceramic Olive Oil Dispenser

A ceramic oil dispenser is an easy way to turn a pantry staple into sophisticated countertop decor, says my mom. This option comes with a funnel, making the bottle easy to refill without spilling on the sides. The dispenser also comes with two interchangeable caps: a dust-proof option with a silicone tip and one with a stainless steel flap. It’s available in a 16-ounce and a 20-ounce option, but my mom suggests purchasing both sizes — one for olive oil and the other for vinegar.

Miamolo Ceramic Spoon Rest

A spoon rest is a small, useful piece that adds a refined touch to any kitchen. This ceramic light gray spoon rest is a handy, understated kitchen tool that, at 5 inches in diameter, won’t take up much countertop space. Its raised rim prevents drips and spills from your spoon or spatula from leaking onto the countertop.

KitchenAid Quilted Cotton Terry Cloth 4-Pack

When it comes to kitchen linens, sticking to a neutral palette offers a sophisticated flair that fits any budget. This $26 set from KitchenAid is a bestseller on Amazon, and it includes a quilted cotton terry cloth oven mitt, a pot holder, and two kitchen towels. If you’re concerned about the light color showing stains, don’t worry. One customer wrote, “The towels don’t stain easily and hold up to multiple washings.”

Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen Cookbook

Displaying a few of your favorite cookbooks is a playful way to add personality to your kitchen. I purchased this Audrey Hepburn cookbook for my mom, written by Hepburn’s son, and it’s always a conversation starter amongst houseguests. Not only are the recipes delicious, but the eye-catching cover adds a splash of color to my mom’s otherwise neutral-hued kitchen.

TableCraft 357 Condiment Jar Set with Spoon

Condiment jars, like this one from TableCraft, are often found in restaurants, but my mom added one to her kitchen counter and it’s quickly become one of her most-used pieces. She usually fills it with red pepper flakes, but it can also be used for loose salt or Parmesan cheese to elevate a dinner party setup.  

Dowan Ramekins

This small set of six ramekins is a simple, elegant way for my mom to display small snacks on the kitchen table. She keeps them in a visible side shelf so they’re easy to pull out when she’s making a cheese board, a dipping sauce, or individually sized desserts, while also functioning as decor.