Wednesday, January 29, 2014

My New, Old Cupboard

I still have boxes sitting around, but last weekend I just had to unpack my ironstone and transferware. Each time I'd look at my cupboard in my new little sitting area, it called my name. So, the bathroom and office could wait. I needed to have some fun with dishes.




I debated on using my red transferware in the upper cabinet since it's close to Valentine's Day, but since I'd never styled my brown, the brown won out. As I've mentioned before, I don't have "sets" of any pattern, although the "Old Britain Castle" by Johnson Brothers is probably my favorite. Some of the plates have chips, but that wouldn't keep me from using them for display...just use a well placed sugar bowl or pitcher and no one's the wiser.




The ceilings here are high, so that gives more room for some displayed items on top... yay. One of my antique laundry baskets that received a whitewash last year is holding my boxwood wreath, an ironstone tureen, and some ironstone platters. I'm thinking "Spring" in here, so an old watering can, some clay pots, and a ivy topiary are squeezed in.



You might not be able to see her, 
but a little birdie is nesting in a clay flower pot.






I still have more brown at the other house that needs to be packed, but I only took what I hoped would fit in the cupboard. It's a little jammed in, but I wanted as much to enjoy as possible.


Some barnyard cows are here too, the brown and white one in the back is Meissen, very old, with a faint crossed swords mark and "Germany" engraved on his side. He/she has a horn busted and shows some wear, and I can't remember where I found it, but I knew he was valuable. He only cost a few dollars.



I'm not sure about the all white mamma and baby, but they are also bisque porcelain, although I can't find any markings. I don't know that I'd ever shown these, they were in my powder room at the other house. This is a Cordon Blue creamer, but an older and more detailed one than most.


No markings on this cutie.



I stole  permanently borrowed these cream and marmalade jars from my husband's crockery collection to include in the cupboard. He collects Civil War era pottery, crocks, and bottles, etc. Actually, he was collecting demi johns before they became so trendy. You'll see those too, soon...on the fireplace hearth, I think. 



So here's the bottom part of the cupboard; it's housing my red transferware for now and more misfit ironstone and brown transferware. I have to get the rest of it together and see how much I can fit in without totally breaking those shelves. I still have a load of green and a few pieces of blue. yikes. 




I don't have room to leave the doors open in here, but a few times a day I peek inside, and smileI've wanted a dish display cupboard for ages. (Ever since I sold my first antique pie safe about 15 years ago.) Who knew moving to a smaller house would get me one?


Things are coming together over here. It's a little frustrating at times since there are some changes that I would like to make if this house was mine, but I'm having to do my best to camouflage them and work around them. 
I thought about starting off this post by saying how dang cold it is, but you all know that. Hope you're staying warm and inside with a fire and some hot tea or cocoa...I know I am.

joining in with these party people:



love ya bunches,



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51 comments:

  1. Debra, I love your display. You have arranged everything inside and on top so interestingly. (If that's a word). Ha! I expanded the photos to enjoy more. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Each piece is so pretty and you have arranged everything so well. I especially love how you arranged the pieces on top of the cabinet. The big basket is my favorite!

    Cindy
    Cynthia's Vintage in VA

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  3. Love the way you've styled your "new" cabinet!

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  4. Things are really coming together! I love your display of transfer ware, and the creamers and other sweet bovines, are delightful!! Just beautiful!

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  5. I love your "new" cabinet and all of the pretties that it holds! I'm only just starting to collect ironstone but already wish I had a cabinet like yours to use for storage and display.

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  6. I love your old cupboard, Debra! Your brown transferware and other special goodies look great inside. I would try and fit as much in as possible too, if I had such pretty pieces to display.
    Mary Alice

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  7. Debra your display in the cabinet is beautiful. I love what you did above the cabinet too. Love your collection of cows they are so sweet. Everything looks great.
    Kris

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  8. Debra...I am loving watching you decorate your new home...you are an expert at turning a house into a home. The cabinet is beautiful. I have really thought about collecting the Old Britain Castle dishes...they are gorgeous!

    XO,
    Jane

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  9. I love watching as you decorate your new place. No matter where you are you are one of those that will make it a beautiful home. I down sized several years ago. . not easy. I tell ya, I am still finding things, I forgot I had. It is kind of fun. Your cupboard is beautiful and the dishes are gorgeous. So very pretty. Can't wait to see what else you will be doing. Hugs, Karie

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  10. You are really good at styling. I too have longed for a display cabinet, but there is just no room. Downsizing is a mixed blessing, I think.

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  11. So glad you are all moved and getting to do the fun part...decorating! Looking good so far and can't wait to see more:-)

    Stay warm. Now it's not only cold, but raining as well...oh joy!

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  12. Love all the ironstone, I'm a fanatic! Also love how you styled the basket on top of the cabinet. Never would have thought to turn it sideways:) xoKathleen

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  13. Upon my word, it's so gorgeous! Love all of your dreamy dishes, and your cabinet is so lovely too. You have the touch my friend.

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  14. I am so glad to see you having some fun!!! The cupboard looks good with it all 'jammed in there'...........no need to talk about the weather, it is all so obvious!!!

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  15. Everything looks great in your cupboard and I love the vignette on the top of the cupboard too. So pretty!!
    ~Cindy

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  16. Definitely snuggled in by a cozy fire with a cup of hot tea, but have to say this post warmed my spirit. Your brown and white pieces are beautifully styled. Great job, Debra. I had my brown and white in the glass front cupboard, but changed things out last summer. I think it's time to bring some of those beauties back out to be enjoyed. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  17. I don't know that I could ever live without a dish cupboard again! Yours look so homey already. Love your litttle cows! So nice to hear you are settling in.

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  18. Everything looks great in your cupboard! Especially love the cows. I have a cupboard very similar to yours that I bought years ago with the intention of displaying dishes and table linens, etc. But guess where it is? In the living room with a (rarely used) television in it- yuck! haha Maybe I'll get super ambitious this spring and finally move it to the dining area and give it a new life :) Thanks for sharing your lovely photos!

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  19. You have a wonderful collection, and so beautifully displayed. GORGEOUS.

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  20. It is all very pleasing to the eye!

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  21. Looks great, Debra - the meticulous arrangement on the shelves and on top of the cupboard especially. I collect brown & white transferware too. Ya know, you COULD take the top doors off just for this year, so you can enjoy the view all the time, just sayin'......;)
    Rita C. at Panoply

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  22. It's all so pretty and a shame you have to keep the doors shut. Can you change the hinges out so the doors fold back agains the sides?

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  23. Very pretty, Debra! It is good you took a break from what has to be done and did something pretty like this. It makes it easier to get back to the other stuff. Your dishes look so pretty and I love how you did the top of the cabinet, too.

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  24. when I see something that I like, I can't help it...the playlist in my head turns on and I start chair dancing. Your cabinet had me humming and high stepping to "Cow Cow Boogie"! What a great way to jump start my morning. Come-a ta yi yi ay...come-a ta yippie ti ay!
    XO
    Deb

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  25. Very, very pretty-such a lovely collection and such a beautiful display of your treasures-
    Jemma

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  26. I love how you are making your temporary home a warm and cozy "home of your own".. love all of your beautiful treasures and it is so wonderful that your hubby likes to collect antiques along with you…While I am in an antique shop looking for treasures, he is happily looking for antique sports items and memorabilia..so it is definitely a win for me…looking forward to seeing the demijohn collection!..

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  27. HI Debbie, I love it! Love the hutch, your dishes, how it is arranged, the basket on top! All of it looks wonderful. You do the best decorating things with your hutches. I am very impressed!
    Debbie

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  28. Hi Debra!
    How's my girl? Love seeing your pretties so beautifully styled in your hutch!! And adore it with the doors open!! You could even remove the doors so you can always see the loveliness tucked inside! Just a thought. Praying all is well with your move etc...So want to chat for a bit...maybe early next week sometime? You're always close in thought!!
    Hugs and joy to you, as you feather this new nest.
    Becky

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  29. Sounds like your new little house is coming along beautifully! It is so important to put out the familiar treasures and it is fun to do it in a new way! So pretty!!

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  30. Dear Debra
    Beautiful and perfectly displayed as always. Such a treat to see the beauty and loveliness you create in your home. The transferware is just so pretty. Have a blessed week! Kate xoxo

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  31. Debra what a pretty cupboard! I love the displays you created inside and on top!!

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  32. Your new old cupboard looks wonderful. Best of luck on your move. I can tell your new home will be amazing.
    Hugs
    Becky

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  33. The cows have won out in this cupboard or have the castles? No matter. I too have Old Castles in brown. It is my favorite. For now. wink, olive

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  34. Love your cupboard. I am amazed how much you have gotten done. I am intrigued about white washing the basket. Did you blog about that and I missed it? I would be interested in how you did it.

    It is cold her too. Have a good week.

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  35. I SO get this Debra - we bought a total gut job house - and I run around worrying about filling my kitchen hutch prettily LOL -
    It looks gorgeous - you have such beautiful things I can imagine you were anxious to get them unpacked - does it feel like home yet?
    Came by to thank you for such a sweet comment on my bedroom - because you're a no reply blogger - agghhh I hate that about google plus!!!
    XOXO

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  36. Oh Debra, It looks beautiful! You have styled this so nicely…I LOVE the way you propped the basket on top and filled it with the plates, pots and greenery. Of course you know I love your brown transferware collection…you have some pretty pieces, esp. those Aesthetic Movement ones and the cows are adorable as well. It looks wonderful!

    Nancy

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  37. Oh such eye candy. Your cupboard is lovely and full of gorgeous transferware. Love the cows.

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  38. Oh, it looks so pretty! I'm so glad you got some play time. I think with smaller homes, we choose our most favorite things to display.
    Brenda

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  39. Oh how beautiful, Debra...love everything you've done...all the wonderful cows, and the ironstone and transferware! Pure eye candy!

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  40. I love your hutch and I too am guilty of decorating while none of my rooms are actually done!

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  41. Oh, so very very pretty! I love how you've styled it and I can totally understand the need to have some pretties surrounding you :) I too hoard iron stone and other English china lovelies wherever I can find them on the cheap :) I've got to say, I've not drank less water in my life...it's either a coffee or teacup in my hands these chilly days, yikes! Hope warmer weather is on the way soon.

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  42. Your china cabinet display is stunning! You always do such an amazing job pulling vignettes together Debra. I'm especially fond of the brown transferware as our everyday dishes when I was a child were Johnson Bros, The Olde Mill. It looks like your pitcher may be the same. Thanks for sharing and always being such an inspiration to many.
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  43. Debra....your cabinet is stunning! You have such an artful way of collecting and arranging things. It really does inspire me. And I know what you mean....you just have to decide what to do to make your surroundings work for you. I've had to do that when we started renting because of moving frequently for ministry. The upside...it makes you even more creative. :)

    Debra...it would be wonderful if you'd like this up to the party I help co-host...Project Inspire{d}. Our party goes live on Monday nights at 8 ET and closes on Friday at 8 AM. I look forward to you joining us.

    Blessings!
    Diane

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  44. I always enjoy peeking at your cupboards, a new story every time. This brown and white is as beautiful as all the others I've been lucky to see, love it!

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  45. I love your display, using it as inspiration for my shop displays. Found you via My Front Porch to Yours. Pinning.

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  46. Debra: It's all so lovely. I'm so envious of your tureens. I am on the hunt for some now and have become obsessed! Stay warm!
    Roselle

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  47. I love all your different dishes, I can tell they have been collected lovingly! I would be tickled if you would share at my first ever link party DIY:Done! at FlyingC-DIY.com. It's open now through Sunday, and every weekend! Hope to see you there!

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  48. Debra,
    I adore the symbolism of the bird "nesting" above the cupboard!
    Your new~old~cupboard is marvelous, dear friend!!!
    I love all the brown and white transferware showcased in the top shelves!!!
    Amazing vignette atop the cupbard!!!
    Thanks for letting us "peek" behind the closed bottom doors!!!
    Sounds as if you're settling in and making the best of your new living quarters!!!
    Here's to a wonderful weekend!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  49. Oh what a time to "play" at arranging transfer ware in your "new" white cabinet. Everything looks so inviting and pretty!
    Suzy

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  50. I know you are having fun playing in your new space, and your styling looks fabulous of course, I love the vignette on top with the nesting little bird~
    Jenna

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  51. Debra love your old cabinet! It looks perfect there and of course all of your ironstone is to die for.

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