Friday, January 11, 2013

Nana's Hutch

The hutch wasn't really Nana's, but that's what I call it because the beautiful china displayed on it once belonged to her.
 I framed a photo of my Nana as a young woman and and placed it between two dishes on a plate rack above the hutch.

I love the china pattern. It's Marx & Gutherz Carlsbad #1446 Austria, circa 1885-1898. Last week I spent some time cleaning, dusting, and rearranging the items on the shelves.

Interspersed with the china are some of my favorite old family photos. I also keep two large vases on either end of the top shelf, topped with lampshades. (That way I'm always ready for an unexpected bouquet!!!!)
 
 The lampshades add a touch of whimsy to the basic glass vases.

The entire set of china (dishes, soup bowls, platters, serving pieces, etc.) is stored in the bottom section. (Here's a photo of the hutch before its cottage makeover.) To the left of the hutch you'll see one of my next projects. The bottom shelf of the small table in the dining area has become a catch-all for a mish-mash of paperwork, etc. I'll show you the makeover as soon as it's complete!

I love this October, 1951 photo of my mom and dad on their Niagara Falls honeymoon. And the vintage cake topper sitting on the flower frog looks just like my mom and dad did on their wedding day, right down to the hairstyles and wedding attire.

A button bowl sits in the cake saver (much less tempting than a cake!)...

...and a circa 1930 photo of my mom sits in the bluebird gravy boat. The gravy boat isn't part of Nana's china set, but the colors are remarkably close (and who doesn't love bluebirds?).
If you look closely at the frame, you'll see that the glass is completely cracked. I'm betting any regular blog readers can guess who is responsible.

Having been taught by nuns in the 60's, I could not resist purchasing this vintage nun music box from MagiaMia's gorgeous vintage Etsy shop! The song it plays is Dominique, of course!
 
  
  
  
As I cleaned each frame, I realized how beautiful all the little details were...

...and I realized that each little frame held a big treasure, at least to me.

Well, my little friends have decided to join me while I photograph. 
They're always afraid they're going to miss out on something...

Sweet Mr. J is always a good boy. He never causes any problems...
 
  
I wish I could say the same about his little sister, the frame breaker!

Have a great weekend, everyone.
 
Be sure to stop by and share one of your favorite things or something you've tweaked!

Donna
  

24 comments:

  1. All of your vintage and family items make your hutch look so pretty and special!

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  2. Your cat is quite a beauty so you must forgive her. Your treasures are beautifully cared for and displayed. I like so many of them, the creamer with the bluebirds, the nuns, and family photos. Great display.

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  3. This was such a fun post and I love seeing all of the china and pictures close up. Lampshades on vases...now that's creative! So attractive! I love your hutch....oh BABY get DOWN off of there. Mama just cleaned and you are probably shedding ha ha

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  4. Donna, that is just gorgeous. What a beautiful display of wonderful memories. I love the old photos, china, vases, dishes of all kinds so I am drawn to this like a cat on cat-nip. I would be dusting this often just to look at it again and again. Dogs usually are much better behaved than our beloved cats. Kane is a breeze next to Audrey. He just looks at her sometimes and closes his eyes to her antics. Have a wonderful weekend. Deb

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  5. Such beautiful and sweet treasures! And I KNEW it was Baby who did the dirty deed! Shame on her, LOL. Mr. J is my kind of speed - low.

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  6. That's a lovely way to display favorite things.The silver frames go so well with your other treasures. I'm sure this is a favorite stopping place for your guests.
    Balisha

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  7. I love this idea, Donna, favorite photos displayed with your lovely dishes. Your home is so cozy and warm.

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  8. Your cat made me chuckle. And your pup does look like such a sweetie. I really like your hutch with the china and all the lovely photographs. The vases topped with lampshades is brilliant! Have a great day. Tammy

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  9. You have such lovely treasures. I also noticed that one of your treasures has adopted your rug.

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  10. Donna you hutch is charming. I love the family dishes with all the family photos. Special each and everyone. Oh and broken frames happen at my house also...wonder why? Hugs, Linda

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  11. this is absolutely wonderful!! love the cherub motif on the doors, so pretty, and precious china, love that pattern!

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  12. That looks very nice, Donna. Love the old photos on Grandma's hutch! Susan

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  13. Oh I adore your blog and your taste! Thank you for the shout out!

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  14. Oh I adore your taste and your blog. Thank you for the shout out!

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  15. Well, of course, I knew the culprit was Baby! My dad's cats are always knocking something over when he's not looking. Love all your beloved treasures, Donna. The china is beautiful and I LOVE that bluebird gravy boat! The nuns are perfect.

    Thanks so much for joining in this week!

    xo
    Claudia

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  16. I love your collection of Nana's china. I am sure you use it and don't just look at it. I always use my china, it's not just for special occasions.

    Love the selection of frames too and I hope Baby can control herself around them!

    Funny, my parents got married on November 3, 1951 and they honyemooned at Niagara Falls as well. Our parents just missed seeing each other!

    Love the little bluebirds. I have a bowl with exactly the same pattern. I use it for fruit salad. Would love to find another matching piece.

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  17. My kind of hutch. Family photos and family dishes.

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  18. Your Nana's china is beautiful. And I love the way you have it mixed in with framed family photos. It's a memory hutch. (And I know how those furry friends can break things... little imps!)

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  19. What a wonderful way to display your treasures! I have lots of my mom adn grandma's "treasures" and I love to keep them out where I can see them every day! Hugs, Penny

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  20. Thanks for sharing your treasures. I enjoyed looking.

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  21. The hutch is lovely and the china and frames on it are all so unique. It makes great pictures... But my favourite ones are the ones with your pets.

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  22. Donna! I'm back to read this post. I tried last night but fell asleep on the couch! What a makeover of your home over the years from primitive to cottage! Oh how I love your china cabinet. The beautiful part is how you use it to display your family heritage. I love the way you interspersed the vintage photos of family along with your nana's china. You've inspired me to get out some more vintage family photos and display them around the house. They're not meant to be tucked into a photo album.

    A bid congrats on being featured at Brenda's Cozy Little House. Your Mr. J has the most adorable face! Sweet sister looks like a curious cat that you've got to keep your eyes one before she breaks all the china!

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  23. Oh, the "frame breaker!" I've got one of those too - his name is Charlie and he does his best work in the middle of the night. "Party all night, sleep all day!"

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  24. Oh, the "frame breaker!" I've got one of those too. His name is Charlie...operates best in the middle of the night!

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