During a recent email exchange I have with my dear friend Linda, (who lives on Bainbridge Island), she mentioned she had completely revamped her hutch that anchors her dining room.  The hutch is a beautiful pine cupboard that they purchased for this room and it’s stunning.

She removed the Villory & Boch, Petite Fleur dishes she has had displayed for some time (to be stored elsewhere) and replaced them with a variety of items she rarely used due to less accessible storage.  This got me to thinking about my own china cupboard and the creative ideas started flowing {Thanks for the inspiration, Linda}.

Before:

I really like the use of decorative serving pieces coupled with the practicality of items that are now super accessible and can be used more often as a result.

Linda’s style has evolved over time but she has, in the past decade or more, leaned towards a country-French influenced design style.  Her hutch redo really captures that feel and look.

After:

My own china cupboard has gone through some rearranging.  I used to store my crystal stemware in the upper half of my cupboard, but I use my crystal so seldom when we entertain (I now use some glassware I happen to love) so I purchased a couple quilted stemware storage boxes and boxed it up.  This allows  me to display some of the antique items I enjoy along with some practical serving pieces that are, like in Linda’s case, now accessible.

It wasn’t even a month later after Linda’s hutch redo when the talented Greet of Belgian Pearls did a post titled Cabinets of Curiosities and voila, a post idea was born borrowed. [Note:  If you’ve never visited Greet’s site you’re in for a treat.]  Greet’s post on cabinets talks a bit about the history of cabinets with display space.

{Belgian Pearls}

I especially like the collection of apothecary jars and botanic prints on the cabinet below.

{Belgian Pearls}

Another favorite blogger, Joan of For the Love of a House, has always inspired me with her creative display talents.  Her reading room is probably one of my favorite rooms ever.  Her talent for display always delights and inspires me.

{for the love of a house}

Joan also has a collection of hotel silver.  She has some of it on display in this cupboard in their dining room…

I found Darryl Carter Design thanks to one of the blogs I visit.  I find his style to be fresh but still traditional, something very appealing.  The kitchen cupboard in the back is styled more than stacked with plates.  They look like they are probably blue and white.

{Darryl Carter via Architectural Digest}

The built-in cupboard in the dining room has a similar display to the kitchen.

{Darryl Carter}

I realize the cupboard (below) is dressed for Christmas but it’s display is one of my favorites of all time…the ironstone and glass are fabulous, right?

{unknown}

Another Christmas decorated cupboard/hutch but I love the silver pieces mixed with white.

{Confessions of a Plate Addict}

…more blue and white in the cupboard on the wall at the end of the dining table.

{via Cote de Texas}

I absolutely love this cupboard, it would hold so much.

{Country Living}

no words necessary on the following image…

{Design Chic}

{Lonny Magazine ~ Jan/Feb 2013 :: Jessica Gorenson}

Do you have a favorite piece to store and display some of your treasures?

I’m linking to:

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow us Wednesday