Open Shelving in The Kitchen Yay or Nay?

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Do you like open shelving in a kitchen or are you oppose to it?  I like the look.  Gone are the days of the boring wall to wall cabinetry, thank goodness.  Clients are demanding a more interesting kitchen.  I have been working on a new kitchen project this week, and I would like to utilize open shelving in the design.   I have been researching various options.  Let's take a look at some of the options I have discovered.
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Photo by Max Kim-Bee

I love the sleek look of these metal shelves.  There is a mix of items stored daily and others which rarely used, but add a sculptural element to the display. Some of the items on chosen for storage on the shelves are things hard to store in traditional closed cabinetry.

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The are a multitude of bracket options and shelving options.  

Open shelving can is constructed of metal brackets with stained wooden shelves, stainless shelves, and brass with glass shelves to name a few options.  What do you prefer?  Shelving choices are based on several things such as hardware, appliances, and aesthetic finishes. 

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Open shelving is great painted in an accent color.   Interesting brackets can add a design element. 

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Brackets can be custom designed and repeated throughout other elements in the kitchen for interest and continuity. 

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Open shelves don't have to sit on brackets; they can suspend from the ceiling as shown in this photograph.

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Open shelves can float on a wall without brackets

 for a clean, sleek look.  

There are lots of options for open shelving.  What do you think?  Do you prefer to have everything behind closed doors?  Do you like having dishes at the "ready" or arms length for cooking?  Boy would I love to hear your thoughts?  Please share!