Friday, December 31, 2010

China Cabinets Should Tell a Story



China Cabinets were designed to showcase beautiful china dishes & glassware. But more times than not, I discover that china cabinets are a hodgepodge of mishmash. The minute I see that, I want to take everything out & show the person how beautiful their treasures can be. Just like every room or shelf or cabinet, editing must happen.

I change my cabinet out seasonally. For winter I use my white china that is trimmed in silver and add my antique green glasses, green depression glass, and some green and white dishes that I received from a sweet 90 year old dear dear friend. She's given me several treasures throughout the years. Each time I place those dishes in this cabinet I'm reminded of sweet memories of her. I also add the green leaf dishes that my mother in law gave me that she purchased when they got married while living in China when my father in law was in the navy. These too tell a story. Each time she sees them on display, she reminisces about their early years of married life; how they survived some very hard times, and how being so far from her family forced her to make friends.

Teapots say friendship. One of my favorite things to do is invite one or several girlfriends over for a hot cup of chai tea and a cookie. Special times..... Special memories!