This Sunday morning finds us exploring another corner of the cottage – this time in the kitchen. By the way, it was photographed As Is – no staging.
This kitchen has a lot of windows; two to the left of this cabinet and one to the right, along with two over the sink. That is one of the reasons we fell in love with this house but also presents a challenge in terms of available wall space, which leads us to:
What’s that piece of furniture? This kitchen cabinet was found when we were renting a very small cottage in Westchester County. The kitchen in that cottage had very little storage space, so when we found this piece we realized it would be the perfect fit. When we were considering whether to buy this house, I measured this wall to make sure the cabinet would fit. It did. It had fifties era stainless steel hardware on the doors (the exact design that we had on the kitchen cupboards in my childhood home) which I replaced with glass pulls. The backing behind the shelves is beadboard.
What else? Also in view is a wood crate with the word Moxie on its side that holds Scout’s distilled water (it’s on my shopping list today), a vintage step stool, Scout’s water dish, and part of the red bench.
What’s on/in it? On top: two Fiesta mixing bowls in yellow and green, a Fiesta green gravy boat, a metal mesh cloche over a vintage china pitcher, some sheep salt and pepper shakers, a fisherman that Don thinks looks like him and an old ice cream maker filled with dried hydrangea. Also, a hook that holds my gardening hat.
Inside: Lots of pottery and china, which is one of my favorite things to collect. Top shelf: Some Emma Bridgewater pottery, a Fiesta teapot, a Rose Chintz platter, some aqua McCoy, and pink depression glass salt and pepper shakers. Middle shelf: My favorite Red Wing pottery vase, a piece of Roseville Pottery, some brown transferware, a McCoy vase, two teacups from my favorite set of Edwin Knowles china, a hand-painted plate from France, and three more pieces of McCoy. Bottom shelf: several pieces of yellow McCoy, a Homer Laughlin Harlequin pitcher filled with bakelite flatware, another Fiesta teapot in yellow, stacks of the Edwin Knowles china and a little teapot given to me by my friend Lynne.
Inside the lower doors: miscellaneous china, cleaners, dog brushes and dog nail clippers, dusters, swiffers, and a vase or two.
What’s on the wall? A black metal piece in the shape of a dog bone with two hooks that hold Scout’s leashes, Riley’s purple leash, Scout’s old collar, and several baseball caps.
Any challenges? Trying to squeeze a lot into a small space and not have it look overdone or too cluttery is a constant challenge in this little cottage. The windows are always a challenge. Scout’s water dish is a challenge, but this is the best place for it. (I’ve accidentally kicked it numerous times, resulting in some curse words and lots of paper towels being put to use.)
There you are – part two of my little series. Hope you’re enjoying it!
Happy Sunday.
I have lot’s of window also and very little wall space. I find it hard to decorate, I am always afraid if I hang art work it will look cluttered so I have nothing but one cow print on my walls. Your cabinet is just what I need between my french doors in the dining room. I have been on the search for years but so far nothing has turned up. How bad do I really need it, right? I love that you have a place to put all your pottery piece and see the every day, it’s a fantastic pop of color for your space.
I love that cow print, by the way.
The cabinet is one of those narrower kitchen cabinets that were in use in the forties and fifties – so it works nicely in that corner. I hope you can find one, Dawn!
You and I both love color and we’re not afraid to use it!
Love the Fiesta and of course the McCoy!
I used to have an extensive collection of Fiesta which I eventually sold. But I kept a few favorite pieces, Ann!
This cupboard is charming on it’s own and then filled with your colorful treasures it seems perfect. I have ‘kicked’ Charlies water dish many a time so maybe putting it on a box or something is a very good idea. I love your Fiesta, McCoy and other pottery pieces. A pretty wonderful corner all in all!
hugs, Linda
Thank you, Linda!
Claudia, I love having lots of windows. I do not know how I will feel about having to have blinds or heavy curtains at our windows, IF we move back to town. Hope you are having a great Spring day. xoxo,Susie
I know what you mean. I’m not a big fan of curtains. A roman blind or two is okay but curtains sort of drive me crazy!
I’m clearing through things here, getting rid of some and trying to figure out where I can put others. It seems a shame to have handmade pottery pieces tucked away, but I don’t want them out and in a jumble either. I could put a cabinet like yours to good use, Claudia.
I like all the wonderful light in your kitchen.
Karen
I do too, Karen!
Oh, the “kick the water bowl” dance…. what fun! Followed by colorful song….. :-) We do it daily here, too.
Love seeing this corner. Your cupboard is so pretty and I love the addition of the glass handles. So many pottery and glass treasures that you have AND that you can see daily. It is so sad when we have to hide those precious things because of lack of space. You have a perfect solution.
Have a wonderful day…. bet the excitement level is rising at MHC!!!!
I have a cabinet in the den that holds more pottery and china – in a corner!
Very excited to see my husband tomorrow afternoon!
You all have almost convinced me to get into shades instead of curtains. I love curtains for the cozy look. Maybe as a twelve step program I could put skinny curtains on either side of the shades. And I love the porcelains in the kitchen. I’m jealous that you Claudia have so many vinagey places to shop around your part of NY. I honestly see our part of world losing it’s vintage/antique miles here in the valley and downtown Albuquerque. So sad. So many Saturdays I browsed and spent valuable time doing nada.
I’m sorry to hear there aren’t many vintage sources in Albuquerue! That must be very frustrating.
Love that huge bowl on top of the cabinet, Claudia. I have a buttercup yellow one in a very similar shape. Have a small number of vintage ceramic bowls – not really a collection [yet] – and not much room for display as well. But it’s easy to find ways to use them every day, and they provide some much-needed color in my generically-almond apartment kitchen. Have a great sunny Sunday!
Yes, we need color in our kitchens, Janet. That’s for sure!
Charming corner of your kitchen! Amazing how the McCoy and Fiesta all work together! And, that is a great cabinet to display all your treasures. Sounds like you’ve become quite adept at kicking the water bowl…hehe! Enjoy your day…Hope it’s sunny! ;)
Very adept, Donna! It is very sunny today – high of 61 expected. Whoopee!
Yahoo!!
I love old china cabinets..those handles are much nicer than the old metal type..I kick the cats water dish sometimes too..lol..it sits right by the water cooler so at least it is easy to refill..I am anxious to hear how Scout reacts when Don comes home tomorrow!!
You have THE most charming house ever, Claudia. And how I’d love to have a sun filled kitchen (remember, mine has no windows)… It’s a gorgeous corner. I hope you’re enjoying the same gorgeous weather we are here!
Donna
I love your cupboard with all the china, Claudia. It reminds me of an English country kitchen. xo Laura
Love the windows! The first thing I did when we bought this house was take down those nasty mini-blinds and hang curtains to let in the sunlight. I am not blessed with a lot of windows, so our new house was dark as a dungeon. I love your Roman Shades and if I lived in the county I would do that also. I do open my curtains all day and close them only at night. You face any decorating challenges with grace. You, Don and Scout have a home. So much more lovely than staged perfection. Thank you for showing us a bit of your home.
I love it. Your tastes are similar to mine.
Love this corner and the Fiesta and McCoy…I have to tell a sad story. We moved out of our big house last year and had to have an auction to get rid of all the things that fill a large home. The auctioneer gave me lots of referrals and commitments that there would be lots of advertising and collector’s would learn about all of the dishes and collectibles. The collectors never showed up and I lost hundreds of $$ on the Fiesta alone. I would have happily given it away rather than have the trauma of the sale. You can set a reserve but if you do you have to compensate the auction company for what you set as the reserve (if it doesn’t go for that amount). I always think someone from the company saw a good deal. I have let it go mentally dozens of times but I do get the pit in my stomach every time I see a collection or think about the sale. I had no place to put the items and my kids didn’t want any of the things so now I need to lecture myself again!
Similar underwear situation, at Lowes and felt some bulk in the ankle of my jeans. I had worn my jeans the evening before, undressed in the dark quickly and then hurriedly dressed to run errands. So afraid I wouldn’t make it to the restroom to retrieve them when I figured out what was going on, but I made it. Funny thing is, I had already been to the bank and the post office. My hubby didn’t think it was very funny when I told him. He is way too serious sometimes and thinks I should be more careful.
Such a sweet kitchen corner, Claudia. I love your cabinet, with its lovely glass pulls. I’ve been wishing for a cabinet like that for the refrigerator alcove but I’ve never been able to find one that fits. Oh god! pet dishes! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve kicked dishes across the kitchen floor when I wasn’t looking. Those days are behind me but the messes I made (not the pets… ME) cast vivid memories! Hoping your weekend was as sunny and warm as ours here in Southern New England. Take good care.