I wanted you to see into my little world of late-night decorating and what I am famous for – my excursions into “in-home” shopping. We all do it every now and then, borrow from this room to re-do another room. After I put my grandson to bed last night, a whirlwind of activity began – quietly, of course. 🙂 This is what I managed to pull together, from scratch, after some in-home shopping.
This is my breakfast room, in transit, I should say. This kitchen remodel project has been ongoing since September. Can you say “procrastination” boys and girls? It really wasn’t so much about procrastination as it was not having a clear vision of where I wanted to go with the accessorizing. When I had my family over for Christmas dinner, I temporarily placed the large centerpiece from my formal Dining Room table on my breakfast table. This centerpiece is a large pink and white Staffordshire soup tureen my husband bought for me at an Amsterdam flea market for our anniversary. It is filled with all sorts of silks and greenery, my favorite being red peonies. It had been sitting there for a day or so when I walked in, and it suddenly hit me how beautiful that pink and white tureen was, juxtaposed against the black painted table and my new Saison de Printemps panels. In that split second, I knew what direction I wanted my breakfast area and overall kitchen design to go.
(it was one of those “ah-hah!” moments, for sure.
I have quite a collection of pink and white, but most of it was displayed in my two matching French cabinets in my formal Dining Room. It was time to do a little “in-home” shopping. I managed to borrow just a few pieces to fill in the kitchen hutch, but not allow the china cabinets to look “nekkid.” Lordy knows, there is nothing worse than a nekkid china cabinet, is there? 🙂
My kitchen hutch needs a little tweaking, and I need to purchase a few more pieces to fill in some holes here and there, but all and all – after consulting with a friend about what it needed – I am pretty happy with the results. I love that I was able to use my white ironstone that we inherited from my husband’s parents. It’s a perfect compliment to the pink and white.
I picked up this hutch on Craig’s List a few months back. After the New Year, I plan on painting it matte black to match my kitchen table and chairs. I plan on keeping the little, white porcelain knobs. This piece is stamped on the back with Ethan Allen 1969.
I still have to decorate the top of the hutch. I have a French bread basket and I will be making some faux baguettes to fill it with, plus some sheathes of wheat.
This is a close-up shot… I have a square plate that will be going in front of the large white platter, if I can ever find it. 🙂
I love my new white rooster pitcher – Marshall’s – $12. Also, of note – you can see my tea bag holders shaped like teapots. These were purchased in a little shop in
France and still have the 45 FR price tag on back.
The silver and crystal salt and pepper cellar is part of my collection.
These are my two favorite salt and pepper cellars from my collection. The crystal one has a removable cellar which slides off the stand. Not sure why. The miniature one was made to be placed at an individual place setting. I tried and tried to find more of these while I was living in Europe, to no avail. Can you imagine how sweet a table you could set with these at each place setting?
I also have a collection of porcelain name card holders. I know, I know – you are starting to ask what DON’T I collect. I’m telling you – I was like a mad, rabid opossum when I was living in Europe. At the time, everything was dirt cheap and my friends and I would hit those week-end flea markets like women on a mission from God. If you could only see my basement and garage. An antique dealer would have a field day!
The small basket place card holder above is one of a set of eight, and I love them. I use these at Easter, filled with miniature flowers or Easter candies. The small, silver tiered stand holds some non-edible goodies. Faux tarts and tartlettes guaranteed to be fat free!
Happy “In Home” Shopping….Barb
Melissa Miller says
Barb! Help me please!
View CommentI have a china cabinet in our formal DR. How do I stand my china up in in it as a display? Is it super obvious like plate stands? Is something made specificaly for this use? Don’t laugh at me…HEHE! Okay I’m laughing at myself for not knowing this by age 43….
~Thanks, Melissa
Robin says
Oh my goodness, can I come shopping at your house…..PLEASE???? The only old stuff I have at my house is 1980’s goose stuff…lol!
You have exquisite taste my dear!
http://alabamaslackermama.blogspot.com/search?q=
View CommentKathysue says
Barb what a great post.This goes to show all of us to look at our accessories in a different light and shake it up a little.Its being creative and not spending a dime,now won’t all the DH’s out there love that.Great job!Warm and inviting just like the person who created it.Hugs Kathysue
View CommentKathleen Ellis says
WOW! Can I come shop at your house…pleeeeze?! I love the transferware and the salt & pepper cellars and the namecard holders and….everything else! Isn’t it fun recreating a space?!
View CommentCan’t wait to see what else you come up with!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW DREAMS!
marty39 says
Barb, this is just so beautiful. Now if you could just come to my house and rearrange a few things it would be perfect. How’s the pouter problem coming along? Miss you, Hugs, Marty
View Commentlvroftiques says
Well I want to shop your house too!! Especially since you have a tiquer’s dream garage etc. *winks* I love your transferware! And dontcha just love craigslist?!! Anyhoo I too have had that “aha” moment in the wee hours of the evening which erupted into a flurry of decor experimentation *winks* Gotta move when the mood strikes lol! Vanna
View CommentLynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) says
Barb, this is a “wonderful” post. Don’t you just love when the “lights” go on and we discover we have all this “great” stuff at our fingertips? I especially love it after all the Christmas decor is put away and I can shop around the house and put new vignettes together. Everything looks new once again.. Your Craigs-list find is a beauty..hugs ~lynne~
View CommentKD says
Barb it all came together great! I will bring my few red transferware plates for trade when I come shop your basement and garage!! I want those cellars. I had no idear that is what they are called. I am smitten (as usual). I need to pay more attention to all the stuff my MIL has brought over from Germany. There is bound to be something shop worthy in her collection! Thanks for sharing.
View Comment~KD
http://www.southernwhimsy.blogspot.com
Barb @ GritsandGlamour says
Melissa – yes, just good ole’ fashioned plate stands is what works best for me. I have a drawer full in every size imaginable, right down to some itty bitty ones. It allows you to place the plates(etc) anywhere you want and at any angle. Then, its a matter of placement. I’ll be in touch after the holidays so we can finally meet ok?
View CommentMartha says
Barb — I love your hutch — and I love the mix of white and pink and white pieces. I love your collection of salt cellars —
Martha
View Commentprof en retraite says
Oh rats! Barb! I can’t enlarge the photos!Everybody is having ‘pooter problems!! Grrr…. I’ll just study them from afar. I know one thing…I saw that rooster pitcher at TJ Maxx this afternoon and I am going back to get it tomorrow!!! It would look great on MY hutch!Hope you don’t mind if I steal an idea! Happy birthday to Cole tomorrow!…Debbie
View CommentGollum says
I’m smiling about your “mad, rabid possum” line. I wish I could have been a possum with you. Your hutch looks beautiful–I love how you’ve arranged things. And that salt cellar!! I have itty ones, and I haven’t seen them since we moved.
View CommentPaula says
Your new display looks lovely. I can’t wait to see more of your treasures.
My extra accessories are in my basement and I enjoy shopping down there when it is time to reaccessorize.
View CommentLdyDy Loves Cake says
Don’t you just love those late night, or in my case early morning hour inspirations!! Just love your transferware…and your white rooster..Marshals you say?? Somehow I must miss those deals when I go there! Darn! Happy New Year!
View CommentAlisa Lucas-Brown says
Hi Barb! I really like the direction you are going with your breakfast area – LOVE the dishes and the way you have accessorized the china hutch. I love it when china is layered as you have done it. As far as in home shopping goes, I’m right there with you. Every year when I take down Christmas, I begin a process I call “interior re-mix” where I change wall art, accents, florals and even furniture. It gives me a whole new perspective for the New Year without the expense of a complete re-do. See ya soon!
View Commentsoutherninspiration says
Oh, isn’t that AHHHHHHH feeling great of knowing what you want and achieving it with what you have??? I love it, and it looks fantastic!
I’m looking forward to re-accessorizing when all the Christmas is put away. I wish you were close enough to help!
Suzanne
View CommentMargaret says
Barb,
I love your salt and pepper cellars I have my mom’s collection and just treasure them! This weekend I will be taking down all my holiday decor and I think I too am going to do some “in house” shopping. Thanks for the wonderful idea!!!
View CommentAngie says
So pretty… I in home shop too 🙂
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