Where Do I Keep It All?

 

 

Alma from The Tablescaper is celebrating her Fifth Blogiversary on June 1st and is hosting her annual "Where Do I Keep It All?" party.  She, as well as some of the other participants, have been collecting dishes and tablescaping for years.  They have become quite clever at storing and displaying these precious plates and things.  I've just recently started my collection but be sure you stop by the other partiers and see all the places they stash theirs.


Several years ago, I saw this storage/display concept in Martha Stewart's LIVING magazine and thought it was a great idea.  We had recently finished off part of our basement.  Both my mother and mother-in-law were downsizing and giving away some of their heirlooms and collectables.  We also enjoyed going to estate sales and I was starting to collect a few pieces myself.  I thought this would be a great place to display some of them.  As I placed them on each shelf, I thought about how fun it would be set some tables with these beautiful pieces!  I had no idea at the time that there were people who actually DID play with their dishes and shared their lovely setting with others in Blogland!! 

Wonderful Hubby is a great carpenter and had these cubbies built in no time.  I painted them the same color as the wall which has been great for display.  The cream color doesn't show dust much, either! 

I have the more precious items on the upper shelves.  As you can see in the boxes at the bottom, I keep toys in this area, too.  Our great nieces and nephews and cousins don't bother my dishes but, since they're just little ones and sometime temptation can be too much, it's just better to keep the easily replacables nearer their little hands!


This cream and sugar set was from my MIL's mother.  She was sweet enough to write a note of history.  It's tucked in the sugar bowl.  I have several 'historical' pieces so labeled from both sides of the family.  (Who can remember all that?!)

Here's the delicate pitcher and glasses from my grandmother.  Both the creamer/sugar bowl and pitcher and glasses were featured in one of my first tablescapes.  You can see it HERE.

There are fun heirlooms, like this little stove my MIL used to play with when she was a child.

I can't wait to set a July Fourth table with these glasses!!

Here's another shot of each cubby stack.

 

 

 

On the other side of the room, I have a beautiful pie safe from my aunt.  She refinished it ages ago and used it in her own home for many years.  When she passed away, my cousin gave it to me.  I keep a few more things in here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the two areas I can show you this time.  I've taken over another section of the basement but that 'show and tell' will have to wait for another time.  I can't wait to see the other posts in this party.  Be sure you stop by the other sites in this party to see Where We Keep It All!

 

 

Linking to: 

 

The Tablescaper

 

Submarine Sunday

 

Amaze Me Monday

 

Share Your Cup Thursday