The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

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!




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. . .

17 comments:

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I Love it!!! I did the same thing: decorated my dining server for Spring. Come on over!!!! I love the cabbage tureen! And the coffee set is beautiful!!! Jealous of the plates:):) XO, Pinky

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

HI Pat, Love what you did. The hutch looks great...and I bet you will enjoy decorating it seasonally as well. Great piece and very special!

Anonymous said...

How cute! I love the cabbage tureen and am so glad you were able to find another one. Now if you still have the itch to clean, you are more than welcome to come to my place!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi there~ Love your hutch- it looks wonderful! The sweet dishes are darling and the cabbage tureen is such a charmer! Stopping by from Met Monday! :)

Martha said...

Pat, I like what you did in that space!!!! I love especially the cabbage tureen (I have one like it that was my grandmothers) and those plates!

GREAT JOB!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Pat...

How are you doing, sweet friend? It sounds like you are keeping busy...between spring cleaning and decorating! I really do love your new spring vignette that you created in your grandma's hutch! Love the beautiful green and lavender color combination...it just sings of spring! Ohhh...and the crocheted white and lavender doilies just make me swoon...sooo very pretty! They look gorgeous with that beautiful German coffee set...love that!

Well dear friend, I just wanted to come by to say hello and see how you are doing! I'm really finding it difficult to get back into the swing of blogging since I took three weeks off for my daughters visit! Eeeks...I have gotten so far behind! I hope that my note finds you and your dear husband both doing well! Take care!

Warmest spring wishes,
Chari

Honey at 2805 said...

The changes you made are inspired! Great idea.

Beeutiful by Design said...

Love the cabbage soup tureen - everything looks so great! Jennifer

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Pat, I wish I had your energy for spring cleaning. My cupboards could use some spiffing up. Your china hutch is beautiful...love how you've displayed pieces...so pretty! I've seen doors left open on a secretary, but I hadn't thought of doing it with a hutch...what a great idea! It feels so inviting! :)

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh it looks so pretty. You did a beautiful job!!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty vignette Pat. I like the open door idea.

abeachcottage said...

Your hutch is lovely and your mother's china are just beautiful! Love how you showcase the.

Atticmag said...

LOVE the purple and green and the vintage dishtowels. You have such wonderful things. Jane

podso said...

Great transformation, Pat. You arrange things so nicely. I'm sure your house feels so good with everything so clean and tidied up! The window you commented on is in a house my kids just moved into --100 years old-- and an old curtain was covering the beauty of that window!

bj said...

Oh, it looks just wonderful, Pat..
I am so trying to catch up with bloggy friends..this time of year, with 4 grands playing baseball, I don't have nearly as much time to play on my computer.
Hope all is good with you. :))
xo bj

Babs said...

What a wonderful piece to store your dishes. Lucky you. It would be lovely to have so much storage. Well, maybe I do, but have too much stuff. :) I really like your Bordallo. I collect Bordallo too. Your china cabinet scape..is really nice and I like your pots on the top.
Hope you have a great weekend, Don't work too hard,
Babs

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

Love it...Welcome to spring :)

Blessings Kelsie