A Vanilla Sundae China Cabinet
I never thought I’d end up with my grandmother’s furniture, let alone her mid-century china cabinet. Over the years, I was always curious about the jungle of glassware and the photos hidden in the drawers. It was a staple piece in her dining room that I imagine she used on special occasions ever since she arrived here from Tuscany. It made perfect sense that when no one else took an interest in the piece, I would give it a new home. I’ve always wanted a place to store my collectables: pink glass, ceramics, antique silverware, and fabrics. I was so thrilled! The little brass knobs and handles were wiped of their tarnish, turning them fabulously vintage.
The piece has clean, straight lines and delicate, minimal detail. It has three shelves hidden behind sliding glass doors. Below are two small and two large drawers with two compartments on either side. It has good bones, but it was up for a refurbishment job.
Picking colors you won’t regret
I paced the paint aisle looking for neutral colors that would match the free sidewalk desk I was about to paint in addition to. I love a free piece! Initially, I wanted something a little more robust, green or white, with a pink interior. But I reeled myself in and decided on neutral tones: Vanilla ice cream and chocolate Sauce— quite fitting for my sundae-obsessed self. These colors are timeless, so you can mix and match with furniture over time.
When I couldn’t envision the final piece, I leaned into the AI ether to confirm what I shouldn’t do. Highly recommend!
before
after
Layering your china cabinet
I waited a few months for this piece to arrive, and I couldn’t WAIT to decorate. Depending on the glassware, ceramics, and antiques you collect, you can arrange them in whatever ways fit your space or personality. Go rogue or maintain order. I collect pink glassware, so I felt I should group those—neutral pieces in the center and the Jades, purples, and blues on the bottom. Separating the colors allows the eyes to wander a bit; otherwise, your eyes will fixate on one section alone.
The collector club
I’ve been collecting pieces ever since high school, I think? I grew to love and appreciate “props” (anything I use for video & photo as well as entertaining), especially when I assisted Sarah Copeland on her third cookbook, Every Day Is Saturday. She had a tremendous collection of beautiful items in a gorgeous hutch that she used for everyday purposes and her cookbook shoots. It was aspirational to be passionate about food and the lifestyle that accompanies it. The jade cake stand was one of my takeaway pieces!
