A Display Cabinet

A couple of years ago I came across a posting for two display cabinets on Kijiji. A store in town was going out of business and the owner was selling off a few display pieces that her husband had built. While the cabinets were both similar, the one I ended up taking was in much better shape than the other.

My intention was to put it away for when my parents opened their store. I figured they would need something like this to display merchandise on. That summer, I didn't do much with it other than give it a good cleaning and paint it in Antique White. I used it for display at my tag sale, and then back it went into my sister's barn to be stored.

Later, the store was opened but the piece was never needed, so it remained in the barn. When we finished our family room in the basement, we dragged it home to use for storage, but it was literally half an inch too tall! (We had measured, but didn't take into account that the floor slanted slightly and wasn't perfectly even) So back in our garage it went, where it sat for another year.

This summer I dragged in into the house after scrubbing it down. I felt like I wanted a piece in the living room, but needed something narrow as there isn't much space. To my surprise, it worked perfectly! It added some much needed height to the room and helped anchor a wall.

I was surprised at how much I ended up loving it. It's not an antique, but it still has some simple character to it. The coat of paint really did wonders for it. Previously it was white and was quite worn.

It was $40.

I had intended to use it as a bookshelf, but because of it's narrow depth, it didn't fit my books properly. Now it houses some of my nests and displays some of my ironstone collection.

The bottom is a smaller cabinet with two doors. It's where I keep some books and a basket full of puzzles for Hudson - the little things that he plays with in the living room. It's the perfect height for him.

I'm glad my mom and I hauled her home.

A Living Room Cabinet and Welcoming Fall

I've had this cabinet sitting in our garage for over a year now. I used it in my sale last year to hold my collection of ironstone. Originally, I had planned on using it as a cabinet to house games and books and things in the basement, but it was one single inch too tall.

I found it on Kijiji, looking much more worse for the wear, for a whole $40.

It's a very simple piece, and that's why I think I fell in love with it. It's been painted Antique White, which is a nice contrast to the white walls behind.

In keeping with the simple feel of the piece, I didn't want the shelves to be too cluttered. It took me all day to find just the right pieces to display. In the end, a few of my bird's nests, some of my Opa's books, some candles and a few natural touches were all that remained.

I had grand ambitions to include orange and red and yellow pumpkins in my Fall decorating this year, however, the most beautiful varieties of squash led me astray. 

In celebrating Fall, I love bringing in the most simple, natural things. These acorns were collected from our campsite on a recent trip to the Finger Lakes. Pine cones were gathered from the towering Pines at the cottage, and all of the nests were abandonned in our back woods.

I also found a home for my small table. I picked this up at an antique store after Christmas for $25.

I'm slowly but surely adding hints of Fall around the house.

A Painting and White Cabinet

 

I decided to hang a painting that I've had stored away for months in our living room yesterday.

 

I got it from an Aunt of mine who had it hanging in her guest room, but had grown tired of it and was going to donate it. I had always admired it.

 

However, this beautiful piece of art is old, and worn. It's Gesso frame has broken and chipped over time and it's colours have dimmed under years of dust and impurities.

 

Regardless, I still love it. The wood and plaster frame compliments our sofa covers and adds life to the all-white walls.

 

I hung it above an old cabinet I had purchased two years ago.

 

 

 

It's a pretty pastoral scene with a farmer in blue, a small flock of sheep, a simple barn and a small town with a church in the background. It's quaint and warm.

 

As you can see, the frame has broken in many spots, but the details are beautiful.

 

I added a simple Ivy potted in an old ironstone sugar pot and a pillar candle in a hurricane vase to add a bit of warm light in the evening.

 

The frame compliments the room and matches the large Gesso frame hanging above our couch. It also is worn and old, but still beautiful.

Reclaimed Rustics - The Old Cabinet

[Capital Style UK]

This is a simple, quiet piece. It's understated and practical - especially fitted with curtains. It's allows you to either use the piece for storage you may want to disguise, or for prettier things you want to show off.

I don't know about you, but I love old cabinets. I love that they have a second go at being useful. I love their age and quirks and character. I love how I would choose an old wooden cabinet, probably chipped with loose hinges and maybe a broken pane of glass, maybe even salvaged from an old barn, over a shiny new model, every time.

But that's me.

I have a sneaky suspicion that most of you are probably the same way.

In that case, here are a few lovely old pieces that I would be more than happy to add to my collection.

(Not to mention the amazing collections they're housing!)

[Atlanta Bartlett]

This piece is stunning. Having twice the space, with lovely double doors, it's sure to be a focal point you can't help but stare at. I love the hardware as well - especially the old key!

[Unknown]

Now this piece is massive. It's quite literally, weighting this room. There is ample storage and display space with this lovely piece, which thankfully for the movers, comes in multiple stacking pieces. The detailing on the door panels dresses up this otherwise simple cabinet.

[Jason Loucas]

This piece has a bit more of a clean and pretty look to it. It's most likely been completely redone. Though it looses the rustic feel of an old salvaged piece, it still boasts charm. They gray and pink pieces displayed, paired with lots of pretty glass, really make it more feminine.

[House and Garden]

And this one, well it's just a happy medium. It's just right in size, detail and age to me. It's rustic, but still slightly refined. It's got equal amounts of hidden and displayed storage, and it doesn't sacrifice character. I love that it has detail and still clean lines. And, I especially love those window panes - so charming!