Remember that big old antique cabinet that I brought home recently? The one that took up the whoooooole wall in the dining room and was a perfect fit for the space?
Almost every time I walk into the room and walk by this cupboard, my stomach does a bit of a flip flop and I shake my head at how much I am in love with this piece and how it absolutely made this room perfect. Some vintage treasures are amazing finds and some are beyond amazing. This over 14′ long cupboard is in the Beyond Amazing category for sure.
Ever since we brought this beauty home- it has sat just as it was. Beautifully empty. The bare shelves just waiting to be filled and styled was something I found inspiration in. And I honestly loved how it looked just as it was. The other side of that is that all.those.shelves need a whole lot of books, ironstone, etc to fill them up. I mentioned last week that I went out junking in search of white ware for this. Though I have a couple of ideas in mind on how I want to style it- I did have a chunk of white ware on hand and figured I could find enough more to fill it. I. was. wrong. haha.
Dainty Size Shelves
Part of the issue with filling these shelves is that they are only about 7″ deep. So, any plates larger than about a bread plate size are too deep. I stacked up saucers, bread plates and small bowls that would fit- but many of my other white dishes would not fit inside. I mixed both new and vintage to try and find enough pieces that fit. But larger plates against the back are an option.
Same thing with the tureens. I have a collection of about 8 or so vintage tureens in the cottage- they were too deep to fit the shelves. Now, I could put them there for the photos and that would work- but if the door was pushed or tried to close with a breeze -I worry the glass would break. So, I am not using anything that won’t fit correctly for that reason. So I had less white ware on hand for this than I thought.
White Pottery- Pitchers & Plates
I shopped the cottage and gathered up every bit of white pottery that would fit the narrow shelves. From the kitchen cupboard, the dining room cupboard and even the stash of vintage plates that I have stored on the shelves below the counter. It all filled maybe one section. Then I shopped the armoire in the living room. The farmhouse cupboard in the entry and my favorite always on repeat plates and cups photo props. I grabbed wine glasses- gilded and plain. All the white pitchers, gravy boats and sugar dishes. And I even snuck a couple dishes in that had some faint floral decor on them. I have a few platters – but many of them are too tall for most of the shelves. Since there are 4 double door sections of this cupboard- you can see half of them in this photo – and that was where I styled them. The other sections are not filled yet.
So, the quest for more white ware continues.
Thrift Store Scores
I only found a couple white ware pieces at the thrift stores- and of course, most don’t fit the narrow shelves. I did score a vintage pitcher that worked along with an old chunky bowl. It was not the ironstone haul I was hoping for – but I did find some pretty interesting treasures that surprised me. Will share them on Wednesday- along with what I am shopping for now (aside from ironstone lol)
And side note: if you have enough vintage books or ironstone to fill a 14′ cupboard with 4 shelves and you are in Northern California and want to sell – let me know.
Shop the Look
If you are simply looking for the ‘look’ and aren’t as concerned with age of those white dishes- shop the look below.
You can see the post about when we brought this cupboard home HERE & Stay tuned for the finished look as more things are being tucked in and arranged as we speak.
Happy Monday all.
Courtney, oh yes, I remember…how cOuld i forget?!! I’ve been Eagerly anticipating what you would place on the shelves of that beautiful antique cabinet! I was hoping it would be disheS! It looks absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the finished shelves. And not to mention how it would Possibly be decorAted for the holidays! I’ll be waiting patiEntly.
Ps. Sorry, Not sure why the above is in caps.
The holidays will be SO MUCH FUN!! I am already excited about decorating this for Christmas. 🙂
A collection of vintage plates STANDING up against the wall on Display stands would look fabulous.i don’t use display stands but use Martha Stewart’s trick of heavy duty thumbtacks holding the plate securely on the shelves. The thumbtack goes directly in front of the plate on the bottom shrlf. I Use this technique in my antique shop in narrow display cases. It Takes less room than stands and is not PERMANENT. You could also position plate stoppers (small blocks of wood) in front of each plate.if you are in EARTHQUAKE zone.
Definitely in earthquake zone here- and I have a few platters that will be tucked in- unfortunately most of my simple white ones are too tall to fit against the back. I will have to keep looking! Thank you for sharing those tips too- they are great!
Hi Courtney, I HAVE a SIMILAR ISSUE With my BEAUTIFUL WHITE CABINET. It has depth in THE SHELVES, but the height of each non ADJUSTABLE shelf is too smAll SEVERELY RESTRICTING WHAT i Can Put in it SADLY. But I still l it!
Non movable shelves can be frustrating! I hope you find the perfect pieces to fit it.
Beautiful! Where did you get the dinnerwear on the table?
Thanks,
Jennifer
I think they were from HomeGoods several years ago. I will have to see if I can find some similar and share.
The shelving looks so gorgeous. One question. What flowers are in the bouquet?
They are dried chamomile.
Looks to me like Queen Annes Lace. I pick it growing wild along the roads during the summer here in Maryland. Chamomile flowers resemble A daisy.
Yes- flowers on the table is queen Anne’s lace- inside the cupboard is dried Chamomile. 🙂
HAHAHA….Didn’t even notice the dried chamomile Courtney…my heart was going pitter patter over that gorgeous display of queen anne’s lace on the table. it’s all beautiful!
You could install quarter round to hold plates upright unless they are also too tall. One way or the other, it’s going to be a fun piece to style.
Beautiful post. Thank you for making our world more beautiful.
I think candlesticks would look awesome in there too! And maybe a cow creamer Or two! 😉. Cannot wait to see this decked out for fall and the holidays. I know You will knock it out of the park.
I lOve your blog so much but sadly i CANNOT folow any longer due to the videos that keep popping up 5 just trying to type this comment so frustrating
That absolutely shouldn’t be happening. I will report it to my ad management team – sorry about that Gail.
Courtney, imlove your cabinet and I know you will fill it with some wonderful things .
This cabinet looks wonderful no matter what is iN it! 💗💗
Love,love,love your posts! Keep them coming❤️
LOVE the cabinet and can’t wait to see what you find to fill it.
How did you get the queen annes lace to stay so upright in the basket?
Hey Courtney, One way to display a pretty plate is to tack some very fine molding in and then you could place some pretty plates behind It. you can also try taPping in some finishing nails to hold a plate in place
I would let you have my ironstone collection if i was near you, but i am all the way across the country🙁🙁
I did a search for your cabinet, because I think I missed a reveal post…but maybe not? I have a few pieces of diminutive stoneware. Pitchers, cream and sugar, a rectangular something? Oh, and a chipped gravy boat. It’s not much. And it’s been 5 months since you put out the call. I’m just north of Glen Ellen, My mom is in Calistoga and I’m in Sacramento every other week. If you ever feel like you want to organize a handoff, let me know. I’ll take photos and measurements. Honestly, it’s not much. But my house is super tiny and your cabinet is super not tiny, so maybe they should live with you.
yOU MIGHT CONSIDER LOOKING FOR WHITE IRONSTONE MOLDS; THE SIZE SHOULD WORK WITH THE SHELF SIZE IN THAT GORGEOUS CUPBOARD.