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You are here: Home / collecting / Tweaking an Old Display Shelf

Tweaking an Old Display Shelf

September 11, 2012 at 9:31 am by Claudia

As the days turn crisp and cool, I’ve moved back into my old blogging station – the den. I was using the yellow chair in the living room for several months as that was where Riley was and I needed to be right by his side. As I sit here this morning, sipping on Peet’s French Roast, shawl wrapped around my shoulders (it’s that nippy!) my eye keeps landing on this little wall vignette. (I bought the Lost Lamb print from Debra of Common Ground.)

For those of you who are newer readers of this blog, I tweaked this display shelf a few months back. It started out like this:

I really liked the carved edges of the shelf – sort of scallopy – but I didn’t want to use the mirrors. So I painted the shelf, did a little distressing and then cut scrapbook paper to fit over the glass. Very simple. But what a transformation!

It’s amazing what a coat of paint and some leftover paper can do. This shelf displays my newish miniature pottery collection. What is it about all that is tiny that I love? I am immediately drawn to miniatures. And since I love pottery and have tons of it here in the cottage but have limited space, these smaller pieces seem like the perfect thing to collect.

I want more.

They are not easy to find. But that’s the challenge, isn’t it?

I’m linking this post to my pal Brenda’s Tweak it Tuesday.

Happy Tuesday.

Tagged With: miniatures, potteryFiled Under: collecting, DIY, miniatures, vintage 28 Comments

Comments

  1. Brenda Kula-Pruitt says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:39 am

    Oh, I remember this piece. I love what you did with it. It has such pretty edges.
    Brenda

    Reply
  2. Marilyn Johnson says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:57 am

    I do love this piece. AND I love that you like “smalls” to collect! I would give my mom a gift and she would be happy, but OH..how she loved the little teeny tiny gift bags and boxes in which it came! :)
    Sounds like a hot chocolate day again (we still call it cocoa..does anyone else??)
    Have a good one everyone!

    Reply
  3. Linda @ A La Carte says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Claudia I remember you re-doing this shelf and what a difference it made. Now I love your smalls! Such sweet pieces of pottery! Hugs, Linda

    Reply
  4. Lynn Brown says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I just love what you did with the shelf. Have a wonderful week, Hugs, Lynn

    Reply
  5. TracyMB says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Wow… what a make-over! The new look is adorable and I love the teeny pottery. Sweet, sweet shelf. :)

    Reply
  6. Haworth says

    September 11, 2012 at 11:11 am

    I really *loved* the way you tweaked this shelf, Claudia! The off-white paint looks much better than the black, and your pieces stand out so prettily against that lovely paper. Little shelves are so handy. I have quite a few old spice racks, and you’ve inspired me now to paint them all the same color so they look like they match, despite being different, and to use them in the cottage. Thank you!!

    Reply
  7. Olive Cooper says

    September 11, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    The shelf is transformed in the best way to show off the delightful mini pieces.

    Reply
  8. Plushpussycat says

    September 11, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    Yes, what is it about miniatures? There are three generations of women in my family who love little things. My miniature world provides comfort, a repast from the hectic world around me. Thanks for the lovely post, Claudia, and for your recent visits and comments on my blog! xo Jennifer

    Reply
  9. GinaE says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Just love your shelves, Claudia!!! I’m so jealous that it is nippy there. We’re still roasting.

    Reply
  10. Debby Messner says

    September 11, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    It is cooler here now in the evenings and the mornings. Still hot during the day but that won’t last long.
    Love your little shelf. I have been picking up tiny pieces of pottery as well. I love the little ones.
    Claudia, how do I follow you now. I have tried but can’t seem to get it right. If I come to your blog I can read it.
    Hope you are doing better.

    Reply
  11. Sally says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Love your shelf update, so charming and perfect for all of your darling pitchers! Uh oh, I feel a need for a new collection coming on ;)

    Reply
  12. Judy Clark says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    I too, have a collection of small pieces. We have alot in common!! Love your shelf re-do. Perfect for your little items.

    Love, Judy

    Reply
  13. June says

    September 11, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    The shelf looks so pretty painted Claudia. It will be fun to keep your eyes out for tiny pottery. Wouldn’t it be fun to find a teeny shelf for your ‘little house’ and find teeny weeny pottery for it too?

    I loved the post of your beautiful home and how you adorn it.. It is so lovely and filled with light!!!!!
    sending hugs…

    Reply
  14. Laura says

    September 11, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    You tweaked it exactly right, Claudia. I’m definitely loving the cooler weather. :)

    Reply
  15. Nana Diana says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    That Lost Lamb print hung in my room from the time I was born until I left. I had a collie that looked just like that. Blessings- xo Diana

    Reply
  16. Pat says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    That toile paper is so pretty. I like the little turquoise pitcher. Pretty!
    …partying at Brenda’s, Pat

    Reply
  17. Nola says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    Hi Claudia, I’d lost you for a bit! I had your old link; then it stopped working. Since I’m still learning my iPhone, it took a while for me to delete the “MHC” icon, find you again, then add a new icon! Whew! Technology can wear an old woman out quickly.
    You know I love that print! You did a great job on the shelf; distressed it perfectly. Gotta catch up on your older posts. I’ll be popping in and out as time allows. Hugs from TX.

    Reply
  18. missy george says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    I think my middle name is “tweak”. I don’t even realize I’m doing it most of the time..Love your shelves.

    Reply
  19. Lynn says

    September 11, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Oh my dear Claudia, you couldn’t have posted a better one today. There is a room here I’m just not settled in. Early, early this morning I decided to just tweak it a bit and make it ready for the chilly days ahead. I was going for a feeling more than décor, as they say. I ended up with this little bitty miniature ceramic toad in my hand all day long. I love him. I set him here, I set him there. He was as unsettled as I was in the room. Finally I just set him by my reading spot and he was happy. I’m happy. It’s a beautiful evening.

    Reply
  20. Sandy says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    I like your new wall cabinet. It’s cute. I have a wonderful miniature pottery/china collection. It started with pieces inherited from my paternal grandmother and mother. I would collect pieces I found on our trips too. But it’s not easy to find them. I’ve blogged about my collection. If you have a chance hop over and take a peek.

    Reply
  21. kim says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    I really like what you did with that shelf. I’m pinning this!

    Reply
  22. Kim says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    I love, love, love it!!! I am going antique shopping on friday and would be so happy to find something like this.

    Reply
  23. Maureen says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:47 am

    I’m a sucker for toile so this is a perfect makeover to me! The miniatures are perfect and a lovely collection to start on. ~ Maureen

    Reply
  24. Leann says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:38 am

    Love the transformation – the toile is perfect with the shabby white.

    I’m lovin this fall weather too – 54 degrees here now – yeah!!!!!!! Wish I had the day off to enjoy it!

    Enjoy the rest of your week!
    Leann

    Reply
  25. Manuela@a cultivated nest says

    September 12, 2012 at 8:36 am

    As you know, I love toile so I think your tweak looks fabulous!

    Reply
  26. Tina says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:03 am

    I just found an unused double roll of Waverly black toile wallpaper at Goodwill for less than 2 dollars. I can’t wait to find the perfect thing(s) to line. I would put it in my antique dresser, but it is TOO full of yarn. Sigh.

    Reply
  27. Angela says

    September 17, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    That is such a great makeover. Using paint is my favorite way to transform something and the scrapbook paper you used is beautiful and such a great idea!

    Angela

    Reply
  28. Mary Alice Patterson says

    September 17, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Your little shelf is adorable! Perfect place to display your sweet pitchers.
    Mary Alice

    Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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