Hello Friends! I’m super excited today because I’m joining some friends in the Lifestyle of Love Hop. We are sharing how we use antique hutches or cabinets in our homes. There are so many gorgeous ideas you’ll want to make sure and visit each post. If you are hopping over from Shiplap and Shells, didn’t you just love Kim’s colorful cabinet? I adore everything she does. I’m sharing how to display vintage beauties in an old farmhouse hutch.
How To Display Vintage Beauties in an Old Farmhouse Hutch
I think most of us collect things. Maybe rare coins, bowling balls, antique plates, shovels, vintage doll heads (I don’t judge) and sometimes we don’t know how to best show them off. If you’re like me, you like things clean, uncluttered and simple. Here are a few steps I take to keep my collections looking just right.
Step One – Figure out where to show off your collection. This particular hutch was the Mister’s grandmothers. It used to be puke green and still is in some places. 😉 Don’t look at the edge of the glass doors or behind the screens in the circle cut-outs on the sides. Trust me, it’s way better white than it ever was in it’s original color.
Side Note: I think keeping a collection together makes a bigger impact than spreading them out all over the place. Spreading it out tends to make a room look cluttered . Because most of this collection is small in stature, I’m keeping them at eye level. If your stash is large like vintage globes, try putting them up high or down low so they don’t overwhelm the room. If the items are small like sea shells, add them to a glass jar or bowl for a statement.
Step Two – Check the backdrop of the area. I love white on white on white but in this case, because I knew what was going inside ahead of time, I thought painting the inside black would make everything stand out. Instead of painting, you could place a tray in the back, a platter, or something else behind the collection to help with contrast. You could even try removable wallpaper as a backdrop instead of painting.
Step Three – Spread things out but keep them together. I know that sounds contradictory but here’s what I mean. Spreading items out with a place for your eye to rest shows off a collection better. The “resting spot” is the empty space. This causes your eye to travel around from piece to piece. If the collection is small, I clump them all together but vary the heights which is step four.
Step Four – Vary your heights. I find it more interesting when things are uneven and/or displayed in odd numbers instead of being stretched out evenly. But that’s just me. If you prefer it the other way, then go for it. Our individuality is what makes us a rare gem. I used a cake stand and stacked plates to help.
Well, there you go. That’s how to display vintage beauties in an old farmhouse hutch. Depending on the day, I go back and forth – add color, add greenery, add other goodies, remove some pieces that don’t “go”, but this week, I’m okay with it. I have to say though, I am starting to love the extra full, stacked high and well blended look too. And believe me, when I get my hands on more vintage goodies like ironstone pitchers, piles of butter pats, more vintage dishes or more of anything old and white, I’m shoving it in this hutch. Then I’ll have to write a post called how to stack vintage treasures in a hutch without it collapsing. LOL!
Now it’s time to visit my friend Angie at Postcards From the Ridge. You’ll love how she decorates her hutch. Don’t forget to check out each post for more fantastic inspiration!
If you missed the last two Lifestyle of Love hops, here’s January and March. It’s a bimonthly hop. 🙂
Your farmhouse hutch is styled to perfection, Cindy! I really like how you painted the back black which is a great contrast to the hutch’s white paint and it really makes the white things on display stand out. Thank you so much for hosting Lifestyle of Love. I’m off to enjoy all of the cabinets and hutches shared today.
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Thank you Paula. I appreciate that. Looking forward to hopping around tomorrow. Hope you get to see your mom. 🙂
So many fabulous tips, Cindy! I love the black background against the white body too. It’s very elegant! Saving special and heirloom pieces like this will always be worth the effort. This hutch is beautiful and I know you’ll enjoy it for years to come. Thanks so much for putting this all together and hope your weekend is a special one, CoCo
Author
Thank you CoCo. I enjoy bringing things to a better life like this hutch. It wasn’t at its fullest potential until I painted it. LOL.
Gorgeous! Your dishes are so beautiful. Happy Mother’s Day.
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Thanks bunches Renae. I love using them as much as I can. Glad you could visit. I appreciate it.
I’m totally in love with your old family cabinet. Painting the interior black is such a wonderful idea; makes all the white just pop! Thanks for all the tips on styling, your display is so attention getting. Thanks for hosting, Cindy. Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!
Author
Awe, thanks so much Debra. I know so many bloggers decorate hutches with extra beautiful items and one day, I’ll get to it but for now, I like the plain.
You have a nice collection and that old cabinet is wonderful. Thanks for all your tips and have a wonderfully happy Mother’s day! Are your girls coming, have fun!
Author
Unfortunately, the only kiddo I get to spend time with is my son. He’s the oldest and today he’s my favorite. LOL. Yes, I tell them all they are my favorite when I’m with them. Hope your weekend is fabulous and thank you so much Marlene for the sweet comment.
I loved your tips Cindy and your cabinet is styled so beautifully! I laughed so hard when I saw that you wouldn’t judge for those that collected vintage doll heads. I would! Your collection is incredible. I only hope that I can get my Ironstone going. Thanks so much for hosting.
Author
Thank you Kim. Best of luck on the ironstone. It’s so hard to find around here. In the collection list, I almost put Q-Tips then thought that’s just all kinds of wrong. LOL!
I love your hutch in of itself – the detail on the doors and on the sides in the inside of the cabinet is amazing! And I love how the back of the cabinet is painted dark so makes your ironstone really pop! And I love how you styled your ironstone and your great tips for doing it.
Thanks so much for hosting this super fun blog hop!
Author
Thanks so much. I go back and forth – add color, add greenery, add other things, remove some pieces that don’t “go”. But for now, I’m okay with it.
Gorgeous cabinet! I am blown away by the black interior. Everything really pops against it!
Author
Thank you Christy. I thought so too but now I’m thinking I want to do white. Hmmm. You know I love me some white on white. 😉
The white dishes stand out so beautifully from the black backdrop; great idea! Great minds must think alike…globes up high & giving your eye a place to rest; yes! This old cupboard reminds me so much of my grandma’s primitive cupboard; love that it has family history for you, too. I like it white much better than puke green!
Author
LOL, me too Lora. Not sure how that color ever became popular. Obviously, they never ask us. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Cindy, I love your hutch and all of your white dishes. And your tips are wonderful. BTW, our hutch also belonged to my husband’s grandparents and looks like they were made at the same time and place. Love the white paint on yours! Thanks so much for hosting the hop! ~ Angie
Author
That’s fun to hear! Glad we’re both preserving them. I go back and forth on whether or not to remove the glass and add chicken wire or something but my almost nonexistent sentimental side says stop.
This is an awesome party that I will love to join and know when is it up. So many great hutches and things to see. Although I’m my house is not farm at all, but is filled with heirlooms etc. I’m looking the for the follow entry, but couldn’t find it. I followed you on pinterest.
Thank you if you can mail me the date and entry, and if it’s ok with you.
Blessings,
Fabby
Author
Thank you Fabby for thinking this group is awesome. I think so too. I’m sorry to say though it isn’t a link up party like Farmhouse Friday. It’s a bimonthly blog hop and right now there’s a waiting list. We have another group that does a monthly Pinterest Challenge Hop that is equally fun to look at (another wait list to join). Hope you continue following along. Thanks again.
Your vintage hutch is beautiful! I had never thought about painted the back of the hutch black! Awesome! I love how you styled all the vintage dishes displayed inside and I adore the old window hanging on the wall next to the hutch! I LOVE the old post too! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Tee @ Teediddlydee
Author
Thank you so much Tee. You know, that looks like a window and it very well could be but it seems heavier than a car! Not sure what it was before. I have a matching one on the other side of the wall. They are definitely rod iron. Any clues?
I love the dark background in your hutch Cindy! Is there such a thing as ironstone envy? If so I have it LOL!
Author
There is such a thing and I have it too Michelle. My collection is miniscule compared to most but I enjoy what little I have. 🙂