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Monday, April 4, 2011

IF I’D KNOWN THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW!

When we remodeled this house, I had grand intentions for this built-in I had drawn on a piece of paper for our builder.  I told him I wanted glass doors, so that I could beautifully display some of my favorite pieces of china.
blue cabnt
That china display lasted about a month after we moved in.  As you can see, my collecting obsession hobby took over my plans for a beautiful display!  I’ve considered putting curtains behind the glass, but I love not having to open every cabinet door to find something. 
There was also a plan for a bench for my dog in the middle of the cabinets.
glass doors
At the time these plans were made, I had one grandchild.  As my grandchildren multiplied, I had to give in to the bench being one of their favorite spots.  They kept going home from my house with dog hair all over them!  So, I wrapped a cushion with a table runner (this was a temporary fix 7 years ago!), and found another spot for the dog bed.
bench
There was to be an open space under the dog bench for the dog’s food and water bowls.  The grands once again took over that space with their baskets of crayons and coloring books.  I finally took five dinner napkins, glued a hem in them, and put them over an extension curtain rod to hang under the bench to hide the grands’ baskets (a temporary fix six years ago).  The dog’s water and food were moved to a different location.
If I had known I was going to have three more grandchildren (all of whom would love this   little bench and accumulate art supplies at my house), and if I had known I was going to collect so much junk many treasures, I might have put solid doors on the cabinet, and built-in storage under the bench.
under bench
My other favorite shelf is the built-in that was in the kitchen when the house was built.  It has become the place for my Quimper collection and plates depicting other nationalities.  Obviously, these shelves have become less display and more storage also!  If I’d known I was going to go so crazy collecting Quimper, I would have built another shelf or two or three.
quimper shlvs
My most recent Quimper acquisition is from Maggie’s Etsy, La Faience Brocante
qumpr maggie
I am linking this post to the “Heart of the Home, Favorite Cupboard” party, hosted by Shelia at Note Songs.
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Table Top Tuesday, hosted by Marty at A Stroll Thru Life,
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Open House Thursday, hosted by Sherry at No Minimalist Here,
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Home Sweet Home Friday, hosted by Sherry at The Charm of Home. th_1aaacastle-2-1[1]
Feathered Nest Friday, hosted by Courtney at French Country Cottage.
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Since my Quimper is vintage, I am also joining Vintage Inspiration Friday, hosted by Debra at Common Ground.
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Whew, Blogville is becoming populated with Party Animals ~ isn’t it fun? 
I so appreciate your visit.  laurie

47 comments:

Kathleen said...

I love your shelves and cupboards. DH always says, whatever he adds, I fill up. :) Guilty!
I wanted to join S's party, but I really don't have any cupboards like yours. Just a china closet, and kitchen cabs. I almost did my pantry closet, but it really isn't very interesting!
Besides, people would see I have 40 lbs of pasta on the shelf and call that Hoarder Show to film here. :)

shannon i olson said...

I really love your buildins! So nice and so much room....you can just rearrange things and change your look for your life. fun fun!!
and then hey...its a new blog post lol!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Laurie, Your built-in cabinet is wonderful and I love the little bench. I have five grandchildren so I understand them taking over the house. Our media room is more of a playroom now.
xo,
Sherry

GardenOfDaisies said...

Isn't it wonderful how life sort of leads us where we need to go, even if it's not what we planned? :-) Your cabinet is truly beautiful, grandchildren, pets and all.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Love the builtin. Would love to have something like that, but no room here.
I did not share my cabinet - to messy. :D.
Hope you did not get storm damage today.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I am so jealous. Your cabinets are so beautiful. I keep telling my husband that I hope we can move one more time and I want cabinets in each room like yours!!!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Laurie, When I first saw the picture of your cupboard, seat and little skirted area, I held my breath. It is stunning. What great character. It looks like it is old world french. Whatever you are doing, you are doing it right! This area is so warm, welcoming and chic!
xo Yvonne

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Gorgeous. I would love to sit on that beautiful bench and just look at every single dish in that cabinet. What a fabulous spot. Love all of your quimper also. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement said...

I love the built-ins and all of your collections. Very cute about the grandkids. :)

Have a great day!
Pam

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I just love it all Laurie!
What is so neat is that your home has so much life and character!
And your grandkids feel welcomed and loved! I love that the most!
Your quimper is gorgeous, you have quite the collection!
Beautiful Laurie!
I still wish I could come on down in April. But I am may be heading that way in June and it can be hot and I won't care! I want hot and humid really bad. I know I'm weird but it's been a long, cold, winter here.
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Sonny G said...

your built ins look great to me and that bench is where I'd wanna sit too.
Those dishes are amazing~!!

xoxoxoxo
Sonny

Picket said...

Do I even need to tell you how much I LOVE that cabinet and bench!!!! Gorgeous! Girl I can so relate to having to change the use of some things for the grands...I had an old country bench with a basket of some of my old antique teddy bears...lordy they thought that was just for them! lol when I had that old kitchen table in the study as a desk...I had a little skirt on it in there also and they loved it...it was their private little playhouse under there! lol Beautiful post girl...loved seeing it! Have a great week....Picket

Debbie said...

I have always loved that cupboard when I see it in your pictures, Laurie. IMO, the skirted bottom is pretty and gives it yet more character. I love that little bench so much and now will picture little grandchildren snuggled up in it.

I have wanted to do some glass cabinets in my kitchen, but I fear that I'll have dish nut's remorse if I do.

Empty or full, glassed or unglassed, I really do love the look of yours.

Anonymous said...

I love this space an all your collections Laurie!

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Green with envy here with that cabinet, bench and even some of the goodies inside the cabinets!

Happy Tuesday!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Love your pretty cabinets -- wouldn't it be wonderful if we could transform our houses according to the changes in our families and lives? Love your little bench -- I can see why the grands enjoy it.

Olive said...

I love your Quimper so much. I knew you had some cabinets if anybody did and you did not disappoint! Can you believe I do not have one single china cabinet? hugs♥O

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie! Oh, how I love this cabinet area of yours! It's huge and I'd be jealous if I didn't love you so much! :) Look at all your space. I love your little almost doggy bench and can certainly see why your little grands love it so.
Now your Quimper shelf is wonderful too! When I see the Q stuff, I always think of you and Debbie!
Thank you so much, Laurie, for coming to my party.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Pamela Gordon said...

Your builtins are really nice and filled with lots of pretties! It's great to have all that storage space. I like the bench for your grandkids - a great spot to sit and read or colour. Very nice! Pamela

Bill said...

Thanks for sharing this charming, inviting part of your home, Laurie. I honestly love the fact that the shelves are "generously" filled with colorful, interesting pieces. Nothing against the Pottery Barn-ish staged look, but your approach speaks far more eloquently of home and family.

Hope the rest of your week goes well.

Warmest regards,
Bill

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hi Laurie,

Love your built in with all the pretty collections. Love the little seat for the grandkids too.

Debbie

Anonymous said...

I love the little nook with pillows, looks so homey! i just want crawl on there and read a book

xoxo
Miss Neira

Gloria said...

Laurie: You say "temporary" but the cushion covered with that lovely fabric and your curtain below look BEAUTIFUL! You picked lovely fabrics to go there and it looks fabulous. Your built-in is gorgeous too. I hope you keep everything as is, permanently!
Best,
Gloria

Anonymous said...

Your built in is beautiful. I love your "temporary" fixes; I have quite a few of them around my house but they are not as nice as yours. :)
Tammy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Laurie, I love what you did in your kitchen! It's adorable. The bench and the little skirt are precious, and I adore your glass front cabinets and your Quimper shelves. You have good stuff, girlfriend. Wanna trade???

Happy Cubby Party to you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Rettabug said...

What a cozy little nook...no wonder the grands love curling up there. I would, too!
The storage capacity of this built in is marvelous & you've put it to GOOD USE!! I love seeing all your treasures inside. No need to hide them at all.

fondly,
Rett

Color me impressed with your chair re-do, too! WOW!

vignette design said...

I think your display cabinet with the built in shelf is amazing. I'm the same way, if given another shelf, I'll simply fill it with my stuff! I like that you can see your collectibles, but cute provençal curtains would be beautiful too. Like your napkins turned curtains...!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I think you got so much more out of it, Laurie, than your original ideas! A well loved bench between your cabinets ~ by animal and child alike! A beautiful collection of "life" behind those glass doors. I'll bet you could pull something out of that cabinet and have a little story to tell. Grandchildrens' art supplies underneath may help banish those evil dust bunnies. I don't think it was what you intended but it is definitely a success!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Laurie! I am loving your glass cupboard filled with goodness! They look pretty to me! Beautiful kitchen my dear!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Marlis said...

You've just stopped me dead in my tracks.. I was planning the china cupboard for the new addition (in the future still!)... but now there won't be any glass doors in sight! Well maybe a couple, but that is it. Love your built in! That is a fabulous spot for all the dishes. Thanks for droppin in! This week, I'm hosting a Mikasa giveaway.

The Tablescaper said...

How lucky for you to have that kind of storage space!!! I love the evolution of the dog bench. Neat that your house can evolve with you.

- The Tablescaper

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Whew.... I'm in the same boat, Laurie! I have way too much stuff and can't stop collecting. I just CANNOT seem to pass up a great bargain....and when is too much really tooooo much? :-)

Love your collections and your ever so special spot for your grands. Too cute!

Huggies,
Spencer

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Beautiful shelves and cupboards. Love all of it!

Pam Kessler said...

Great cabinet. And I love the fabric you chose for the pillow and the skirting!

Amy Chalmers said...

I think the built in cab looks fabulous just the way it is. So what if it is housing "real"collections instead of staged ones...and the skirted area underneath gives it softness and special charm. I love the little bench, and I can see why the little ones have adopted this space!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Laurie, I just wanted to drop by again and thank you for joining my party. Take care.
Sherry

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Your built-in cabinet is beautiful. I don't think it looks messy. It's just a treasure chest of all your lovelies. As for those baskets filled with crayons, books, etc., just enjoy those kiddoes while they are still into those "simple" fun things in life. They are out of that stage long before we'd like. We have 6 & our move is to get us closer so we can enjoy them more while they are still so young.
CAS

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

I love this story! Your home must be like an enchanted castle to the grandsies :)))

Unknown said...

Dear Laurie, My hubby and I always say 'If we only had a brain' as to 'if only we knew'...hahaha..It would be great to have a crystal ball to see how our designs will change in the future..would save so much time re-doing stuff..
Hope Elsie is still doing well!
Hugs....

Decor To Adore said...

I surely would crawl into that cozy space too! :)

Diann said...

Hi Laurie,
I love your built in cabinets. I think the whole area looks loved and a happy place to be. If it were all staged it would just look like any other house. Instead it is is warm ad welcoming.

The Charm of Home said...

Laurie,
I love this cabinet! I especially like that you have it filled with interesting pieces and I love the French country fabrics you have in the center. Just beautiful!
Thanks for linking up!
Sherry

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Laurie~
I love your cupboard!! It's so charming and pretty! The different fabrics you have mixed and your sweet little curtain- how lovely!! I have display areas too that become a spot where things go to be stored but I really like yours~ mine just looks cluttered! lol! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

Sue said...

You may have lots of dishes and other pretties in here, but it all looks GOOD!!! I like seeing items stacked up- it shows that someone actually USES the storage area. And I think your area for the grand kids is adorable. Your new Quimper plate is gorgeous- you have an enviable collection! ~ Sue

Unknown said...

I love this cabinet! We have a space in our home that I in-vision something just like this. I fear I would fill it just the same. :)

~Liz

Maggie said...

Hi Laurie,
There I was admiring your wonderful cabinets and marvelling at how you created such a comfy space for you grandchildren to use when up comes your great Q Collection!
Chouette!
Many thanks for the mention too, I'm glad the new plate has found such a lovely home with you.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Gorgeous storage space for your lovelies, just great, I love it! It sure contains a lot of things and the grandkids bench is adorable...oh well, I guess doggie got another smaller room.
Your La Faience Brocante china is gorgeous, wow, I'm green with envy! hahahaaa...
Hugs
FABBY