topic Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help! in Home

Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

violann — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 23:21:37 GMT

For the first time in many years, I have a large flat topped china closet. I'd like to display something on top- traditional and cozy.

I have some carnival glass, some pitchers, a couple pedestal glass and ceramic cake plates......

This is NOT my strong suit so I'd love some suggestions.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

snakebite66 — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 23:46:57 GMT

Please don't take offense I mean this with kindness. but I don't think there is anything you could do in this day and age to a china hutch that wouldn't make it look like you weren't living in the 60's Get rid of it. and move on.if you can't find a salvation army that will take it a bonfire might be your best bet. I, sigh had to get rid of my shoulder pads amiss a lot of tears. but i did it. its like ripping a bandaid off. quick. like 8 track tapes don't think a china hutch will be coming back in mode. do they still even make them.?

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Regal Bee — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:01:53 GMT

@violann I would suggest some kind of greenery along with one of the pieces you described. Greenery always ads a softness to a china cabinet since most of the pieces are more china and glass-like inside the cabinet.

Hope this helps a bit.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Ruby Laine — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:11:16 GMT

Hello, @violann. About five years ago I splurged on a custom-built hutch and I love it. Right now it has some velvet pumpkins on top. I wound a thin grape leaf garland around them. Try some things you really like on top and experiment a little. You will love it!

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Katcat1 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:29:50 GMT

@violann, First try the pieces you mentioned to see how it looks. If it looks good then keep it. However, if you don't like the look you could always place an artificial plant on the top. That's about all I can think of that would work. Good luck.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

violann — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:31:10 GMT

@snakebite66 wrote:
Please don't take offense I mean this with kindness. but I don't think there is anything you could do in this day and age to a china hutch that wouldn't make it look like you weren't living in the 60's Get rid of it. and move on.if you can't find a salvation army that will take it a bonfire might be your best bet. I, sigh had to get rid of my shoulder pads amiss a lot of tears. but i did it. its like ripping a bandaid off. quick. like 8 track tapes don't think a china hutch will be coming back in mode. do they still even make them.?

I’m giggling slightly as I type, and didn’t take the slightest offense- actually I’m immensely flattered since my adored china closet is brand new today, and fits like a glove in my beautiful mid fifties ranch! How on EARTH did you KNOW?
Now if YOU channel the set of Father Knows Best, you’ll have exactly the image I’m searching for!
And yes, they certainly do make them, because the 2 piece won’t arrive for a couple months, since it’s being hand crafted as we speak.
Thanks so much ! I feel affirmed that you realized my vision!

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Kachina624 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 01:21:24 GMT

@violann A gracious response for sure. Fortunately we all like different looks from different periods. That makes us interesting as individuals.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

AuntG — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 02:09:13 GMT

Greenery and wine bottles. I think a hutch makes perfect sense.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

blueroses47 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 02:11:10 GMT

@violann wrote:
@snakebite66 wrote:
Please don't take offense I mean this with kindness. but I don't think there is anything you could do in this day and age to a china hutch that wouldn't make it look like you weren't living in the 60's Get rid of it. and move on.if you can't find a salvation army that will take it a bonfire might be your best bet. I, sigh had to get rid of my shoulder pads amiss a lot of tears. but i did it. its like ripping a bandaid off. quick. like 8 track tapes don't think a china hutch will be coming back in mode. do they still even make them.?

I’m giggling slightly as I type, and didn’t take the slightest offense- actually I’m immensely flattered since my adored china closet is brand new today, and fits like a glove in my beautiful mid fifties ranch! How on EARTH did you KNOW?
Now if YOU channel the set of Father Knows Best, you’ll have exactly the image I’m searching for!
And yes, they certainly do make them, because the 2 piece won’t arrive for a couple months, since it’s being hand crafted as we speak.
Thanks so much ! I feel affirmed that you realized my vision!

I'm giggling too, because I adore the kind of decorating you find in Father Knows Best. It's what I grew up with and loved back then, and it's what I try to recreate for myself now....with some updates of course, you can't live entirely in the past. But it's what I enjoy surrounding myself with, and I make no apologies. I don't care HOW out dated and "grandma-ish" other people think it is.

I purposely put plates on the walls, crocheted scarves on dressers, and have my window treatments with white ruffled curtains and floral drapes. I still see lots of this kind of stuff in today's decorating magazines and books, but with different labels, "country" "shabby-chic" French country, English country, etc etc. So, as much as some people find it too cluttered and old fashioned, there are still those who like it.

People should decorate with things that make them feel good for whatever reason. If it's spare and modern, or vintage, it doesn't matter. No one lives in our homes but ourselves. I used to care what people thought of my home, but no longer.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

michellegirl — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 02:17:42 GMT

@violann wrote:
For the first time in many years, I have a large flat topped china closet. I'd like to display something on top- traditional and cozy.
I have some carnival glass, some pitchers, a couple pedestal glass and ceramic cake plates......
This is NOT my strong suit so I'd love some suggestions.

Hi Violann!

I inherited a tall display cabinet and during the holidays I add a garland with lights on the top and it looks very pretty. Have you been on Pinterest? I'm a visual person and get a lot of inspiring ideas there. If you search for China Cabinet Display or something similar, you might see some ideas you like and can replicate. I apologize in advance if I'm stating the obvious. Have fun decorating!

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Kookielady — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 03:01:30 GMT

Don't laugh, but I have an open shelf country cottage painted hutch in my diningroom. my DH put 3 ceramic pumpkins on top of the hutch, He amazes me with his decor help.

In my ladies sitting room, I have a vintage glassed french hutch with my Mom's beloved

pieces and we put greenery on top.

In our family room I have a white cottage high end 2 door cabinet with lighting - we put greenery there on top too.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

AuntG — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 11:15:35 GMT

Neat ideas @Kookielady, those three items probably have a lot of extra storage space.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

coconut1818 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 11:48:56 GMT

I can really relate to this post. Back in the early 60's my working mother saved and saved until she had enough to buy a very nice maple dining room set. Mom is longer with us but I proudly have this set in my dining room. There is just no way I could part with it or change it. I remember how excited she was when she bought it and every Saturday she would polish it with pride. It is still in beautiful shape and I have several low profile baskets with greenery sitting on the top of it. The top cupboards have wire fronts and would be perfect for a shabby country chic look, maybe an ivory color, but I just can't bring myself to do it! It is very nice quality and to this day I remember exactly where the furniture store was and the name. She would save and go back numerous times. Am I a sentimental slob? Yes I am. Do I care what anyone thinks? No I don't!

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Gabidog — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:06:37 GMT

Most of the items you mentioned would work. Just make sure you use different heights. And you might consider hanging a picture above the hutch or a group of photos. That would give you a backdrop for your display. And changing the look with seasonal decor also nice. Remove the faux pumpkin and add a reindeer figure as an example. Too much variation with color probably not the best approach. Good luck decorating!

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:16:36 GMT

Whatever you do, enjoy it. I have schmaltz everywhere in my home and I love it. Every picture tells a story.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

SANNA — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:30:54 GMT

@violann wrote:
For the first time in many years, I have a large flat topped china closet. I'd like to display something on top- traditional and cozy.
I have some carnival glass, some pitchers, a couple pedestal glass and ceramic cake plates......
This is NOT my strong suit so I'd love some suggestions.

I love China cabinets, no matter what people think. I am a European and not giving up my liking because of the new fashions. Do what you like!

I would firstly cover the top with some classy runner of your choice, maybe embroidered, velvet, silk, gold...... many of them in Home Goods. And then display the pieces you personally treasure. Maybe add some crystal decanter,or colored crystal vase or Chinese porcelain piece. Some tall candle holders in the corner?

Enjoy and post pictures please.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

SANNA — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:35:10 GMT

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

SANNA — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:38:18 GMT

I still proudly display my adored pieces in my huge China cabinet. I think it looks dressy. But I use them for special occasions and holidays.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

blueroses47 — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 13:29:41 GMT

@coconut1818 wrote:
I can really relate to this post. Back in the early 60's my working mother saved and saved until she had enough to buy a very nice maple dining room set. Mom is longer with us but I proudly have this set in my dining room. There is just no way I could part with it or change it. I remember how excited she was when she bought it and every Saturday she would polish it with pride. It is still in beautiful shape and I have several low profile baskets with greenery sitting on the top of it. The top cupboards have wire fronts and would be perfect for a shabby country chic look, maybe an ivory color, but I just can't bring myself to do it! It is very nice quality and to this day I remember exactly where the furniture store was and the name. She would save and go back numerous times. Am I a sentimental slob? Yes I am. Do I care what anyone thinks? No I don't!

Your story about your mom's dining room set is kind of like my own. My parents bought their first home in 1957 and I remember how much my mother loved the dining room set they bought for it.

I inherited the set when they moved to Florida after retiring, and I still have the china closet in my dining room. The table and chairs have gone elsewhere, but I wouldn't think of parting with the china cabinet, I have a collection of blue and white china in it that looks pretty.

I have many other pieces of furniture that I have from my grandmother and mother, and I couldn't part with them because the memories are so precious. There is a upholstered rocking chair that my grandmother would always sit in, in her bedroom, when she lived with us as I was growing up. Now, it really isn't the prettiest chair I've ever seen, it has a weird kind of shape. But, it's SO comfortable. When it became mine I refinished the wood arms and made a slipcover, and I put it in my bedroom, and it's my rocking chair to rock in now.

I love cabinets with wire fronts by the way. I have two secretaries with wire fronts, one was my aunt and uncles, and another was a friend's secretary that she "swapped" with me for something else. I just love that look.

Re: Hi Deft Decoerators- I need your help!

violann — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 13:41:55 GMT

Just for a little TMI, it broke my heart in two to give up my Dutch roofed Craftsman 1 1/2 story bungalow, but for various reasons it was no longer the best place for DH or for me.

I was actively searching, when, one Saturday a little over a year ago! DH and I simultaneously found our present house in a local real estate ad.

Leaving his morning coffee, DH raced to the address and found a SOLD sign on the house.

Boring story omitted, we became the 2nd owners of a house built in 1955, scrupulously preserved and cautiously updated, then vacant for a couple years.

I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best, Nancy Hughes’ kitchen? BRING IT!

The DR is A DINING ROOM. It could not be anything else, nor would we need it or want it to be.

Also- blue bathroom fixtures, 50’s tile, 20 year old kitchen appliances, PLANTER DIVIDER between front door and living room, pink granite fireplace and facing on the front?

Our little slice of Heaven!