Greetings Friends! Have you ever started a project with a single task in mind {rearranging the china cabinet} and before you knew it, a multi-phase endeavor was in the works? Seriously, tell me I'm not the only one! Well, it all started with a yard sale...
...you know, the one where I scored my latest vintage dishes fix? You can read about it here. I knew a "quick rearrange" of the china cabinet would be necessary to do these beauties justice.
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Sigh...even dishes--it was time for a change!
Phase 1: I started by taking everything out. I wanted to showcase my "new" transferware in a way that would complement my vintage china favorites. I made room in the kitchen for most everything else. As I was pondering the blank palette, I had one of my Ah-hah moments, which of course put rearranging on hold.
Phase #2: Remember the pretty pink toile drawer liner, I found half price at the thrift store a few weeks ago? I knew when I bought it, I would use it for something special--I just didn't know what at the time! I measured the paper against the shelf backs. In order for the design to be the right direction, it needed to be cut in halves but each sheet was enough for one shelf back. I even had a little left over, so this project cost me less than the $1.50 I paid for the paper! Keep in mind that the weight of the paper is comparable to quality scrap book paper, so that might be an option if drawer liners are harder to find. {See the You may enjoy section at the bottom of the post.}
Once the paper was cut, I poured Mod Podge into a cup and applied it with a foam brush to the back of the cabinet,
smoothing the toile paper over the area as I went. Love it! This technique would work just as well on book shelves.
Now back to phase 1...I would like to tell you that after clearing out what I wasn't going to use, it all came together quickly but I'm going to keep it real! The truth is, I arranged, rearranged and repeated--several times. For example, I arranged the top shelf to my satisfaction and then decided that while the display looked fabulous, it would look even better on the middle shelf. During this process, I alternated standing in front of the cabinet, standing back near the dining table and even sitting down in the living room to compare perspective. When my kids were home, my method drove them crazy! Even so, I am very pleased with the results. Here's a view of the top and middle shelves...
...then the middle and bottom.
Which brings me to Phase 3 of my little endeavor. After closing the cabinet doors, I realized the lovely new toile I added was all but hidden, so I decided to open things up a bit by removing the cabinet doors. In the past, I admired the appearance of open shelving but hadn't found the right space to utilize it--until now! Here's the before:
Now ideally, I would have had this realization before all of my beautifying efforts but I didn't let a little detail like that stop me. First, I unscrewed the hinges from the doors. Then I pried the hinges from the china cabinet and filled in the holes. The following morning I touched up the patched places with paint.
I am enjoying the open look so much more. What do you think?
Don't forget to pin it!
Have you rearranged and repeated, recreated with paper or removed cabinet doors? I would love to hear your comments!
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Inside and out it looks wonderful! Taking the doors off makes everything pop! Your dish collection is so pretty and they all go so well with each other....of course because of your expert arranging skills!
ReplyDeleteCecilia,
ReplyDeleteIt looks just beautiful and those gorgeous dishes are showcased perfectly! Love the doors off the cabinet - I took the doors off two of my upper cabinets; painted the backs for a quick fix but I'm ready to dress them up a bit. I think I'm going to be on the lookout for some pretty paper! Thanks for the inspiration - I'm pinning it!
Hugs,
Cecilia
Love the new look. I have an antique cabinet that I leave the doors open to showcase my teacup collection. I took the doors off the cabinet over the frig to use as a display area - see it here https://frommycarolinahome.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/decorating-with-books/
ReplyDeleteLove the use of the paper and taking the doors off really showcases your dishes. I love how it looks. You inspire me.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
I loved the toile paper when when you found it and you have put it excellent use. Your cabinet is so pretty. Removing the doors was just the perfect touch.
ReplyDeleteThe paper is so sweet and I love the idea of removing the doors. I'm all about changing it up and this seems like it was the perfect touch!
ReplyDeleteMy barrister bookcase I had painted by a friend with chalk paint, and she took the back off, put lack on it, and painted through the lace which looks lovely!
ReplyDeletehttp://poetrose24.blogspot.com/2015/11/everything-old-is-new-again.html
Looking good Cecilia ... I like the doors off. Good idea to line the back of the shelves with that toile paper.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I'm a toile lover at heart. And I love the open look without the doors. xo Kathleen
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with your cupboard's new look, Cecilia--and those new dishes are fabulous. I've never seen that pattern before. I'm going to have to keep my eye out...
ReplyDeleteCecilia, love the new dishes!! You ended up with a gorgeous new look. Love the doors off for a change. I recently picked up some vintage paper at our local thrift and plan to line a small pink cabinet with it. Nothing as fabulous as this, but the paper is fun!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Hi Cecilia, I am your newest follower. I love what you did to your corner cabinet, so cute and I like the color of the cabinet too. Your dishes look great in there. I just recently found some of those same Friendly Village square plates too, aren't they great?
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
Gina
It's such a great, inexpensive way to transform a cabinet...and I love how you arranged the dishes!
ReplyDeletePerfect choice for your collection. It really makes the patterns pop. :)
ReplyDeleteThat paper is perfect! It looks great with your collection and with the turquoise. I can only wish to have an open cabinet of dishes. With four cats in the house it's pretty much impossible. I can dream though. lol.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks wonderful. Good idea on removing the doors. Now you can see everything and it is nice and open. I will have to think about adding some paper to my shelves.
ReplyDeletexo Dianne
It is beautiful and I love how you improvise as you go along!
ReplyDeleteI love the paper on the back of the cabinet. Great find! And it goes perfectly with your lovely vintage dishes.
ReplyDeleteI love the transformation and that beautiful paper. I see another project on the horizon with those doors:-) Thanks for sharing at Talk of the Town.
ReplyDeleteReally sweet! Love it. Your hard work paid off. :) Thanks so much for sharing it with "Let's Talk Vintage!" today!
ReplyDeleteTEST
ReplyDeleteHi Cecilia, you always have a way of making everything beautiful. Thank you for sharing on SYC! xx Jo
ReplyDeleteWow! What a transformation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing Your Cup!
Your collection is so gorgeous! I love how you gave them a perfectly pretty back drop.
ReplyDeleteI love it! I love your collection too. You sound like me. One thing does lead to another around here too. I'm in a small space and I hoarde fabric and dishes. Don't tell. LOL. I loved your transformation. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have the same Johnson Bro's set of plates! Love your collection and the paper really makes it pop! Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design!
ReplyDeleteCecilia, this is so pretty. The toile paper made such a difference. It really made the pretty dishes stand out even more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this at TOHOT. :)
Thank you so much for joining TOHOT. We really appreciate you being here.
ReplyDeleteI love the changes you made- the before was happy too- but with your beautiful collections it s all good.