Time On My Hands. . .

Early in the Spring,  time on my hands ~ a luxury one seldom affords ~ allowed me to explore an idea I've had for the past two years!

Storage is in abundance On Crooked Creek!
So~o~. . . one thought was to open up the cabinet of my grandmother's hutch and showcase some of my seasonal dishes.

Wall space is nearly non~existent in our small dining area. The china hutch swallows the entire wall area, but I adore having my mother's china where I see it daily.

More than just the pear motif door knob or an occasional seasonal decorative accessory; I wanted to open the door of this cabinet and display an eye~appealing vignette.

Spring Break is one of the times when I literary empty and clean each cupboard, drawer and shelf in my kitchen. Once this cabinet was emptied and shelves dusted. . .the creativity kicked into overdrive!

My expanding Homer Laughlin Epicure Turquoise collection was moved into a convenient location for use in the built~in china cabinet. This space formerly held my cherished coffee sets. With this space vacant, I could now set the stage for a delightful Spring display.

This streamlined, simplistic coffee set was the first one "Mr. Ed" and I purchased in downtown Hanau, W. Germany. Its slender spout is excellent for pouring coffee. The motif is soft purple and black on bone white porcelain china. I placed my single Bordallo Pinheiro dinner plate as a backdrop for the coffee pot creamer and sugar bowl. The bottom shelf holds the matching dessert plates and saucers along with an asparagus lidded jar found at a local Flea Market. I adore how the hand crocheted variegated purple doily adds a layer of softness.

The cabbage tureen was a wedding gift to "Mr. Ed" and I. A handmade ceramic from the 1970's era. The original was broken during one of our military moves. This is a replacement found in 1990 at an Antique Shop in Louisburg, Kansas.

To the bottom shelf, I added the four Bordallo Pinheiro salad/dessert plates placed in a wide photo easel. Four Green Leaf Majolica by Suzanne Nicoll bread plates rest atop a wrought iron plate stand. Perched on the stacked plates is the figurine "Giving Thanks". Two more hand crocheted cotton lace doilies add needed softness and color. The addition of faux asparagus spears tied with raffia and crystal salt and pepper shakers complete the bottom shelf.

These kitchen items added seasonal hues and textural appeal to the open door cabinet. I moved the matching salad/dessert plates, saucers and cups to the built~in china cabinet.

Draping these two linen dishtowels over the open door continues the seasonal color theme and softens the wood tones. Can you guess my favorite tea towel???

The completed look of what was once a lovely idea has now become a vision to behold in our dining area On Crooked Creek. I think the addition of the open door is something I could get use to.

From this. . .

                                                                          To this. . . 

To this. . .

On Crooked Creek too much time on my hands could be. . . a good thing!

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I'll be joining our gracious hostess Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Susan has been doing an intense home office make~over. Stop by and be inspired to begin a change in your own home decor!



Until next time. . .