What’s in your china Hutch?


Formal dishes, beautiful pieces,

obscured behind glass,

used for special occasions?

That was pretty much,

the case,


in our house,

until now.


The doors literally come off

on this little makeover project.

Inspired by Tracy Porter, l-o-v-e her,

(She’s is always taking the doors down, re-purposing pieces, mixing it up!)

I gave our China Hutch, a little face-lift.

Doors, glass, glossy finish, all said,

‘Look, but don’t touch,’  to me.

In lieu of painting,

I took off the center doors,

and removed the glass, from the wings.


Then I cleared it all out

and started over.


I brought in texture,

with a cool gray basket & cotton lining.

(Love, these World Market baskets!)


The baskets, hold some of our napkins,

how practical.


I brought in some earthy notes,

flowers, herbs, in Terra cotta pots

(A last minute garnish, at my fingertips!)


and an antique breadboard.

A small, rattan tray,


holds our

bistro water glasses.

You can never have too many trays,

especially in the dining room!

I stacked my grandmother’s beautiful old tea cups.

My sisters and I, each have a few, so precious!


I filled some, with ruffled peonies, more earth!

I added, a small chalk board.

It’s always fun, to have dinner notes about!

When it came to our glasses,


I mixed it up a bit,


varying the shapes, sizes & colors.

I brought in a pitcher and mini ice bucket,

from other corners of our house.

Some of our cutlery,

is now on display,

tucked into a classic white urn,

at the ready.

A tarnished,

(I call it patina)

silver and glass footed bowl,

holds napkin rings.

Now, I don’t have to go searching for them!

And at the center of it all,

A beautifully worn,

winged,

creature.

A soulful gift, from a dear, dear, friend.

You can never have too much soul…

or too many angels.

A chipped, oval tray,

her backdrop.

Now, our china hutch, is teeming with life.

Though, there is still work to be done.

Would like to add chicken wire,

a few more baskets, made of wood & wire.

But, with the doors off, it, ‘breathes.’

Beneath the glimmer & gleam,


there is a sublime mix,

of practical, earth, soul

and oh yes,

China.

Just the feel I was looking for.

Ciao,

Monica

Visit Tracy Porter’s Blog, in the sidebar…she’s fantastic!

I’ve linked this post with My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday!

and Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday!