

Restraint is key to ensure that a wallpaper doesn't result in visual clutter. Practice restraint: China cabinets with wallpapered interiors, especially small china cabinets, do require a reserved hand when it comes to styling their contents. Play up a Chinese Chippendale cabinet’s fretwork with a geometric paper or even a simple quatrefoil print. Wallpaper makes the biggest impact when it’s cozied up against rich hues, so consider this tactic for china cabinet hutches you’ve already painted (or are planning to paint).Ĭhoose scroll-y toiles and Chinoiserie motifs for more traditional cabinets like Queen Annes - even for shapely Federalist cabinets. Idea #2: Wallpaper the Interior of a China CabinetĪ wallpapered china cabinet interior will act much like a mural, making this sleight of hand perfect for those who dare to dabble in drama - without making a major commitment.

Silver, for instance, gleams against a backdrop of red or yellow blue Spodeware looks radiant against cerulean blue. When choosing an interior paint color, it is beneficial to consider what you’ll be stocking inside your china cabinet. Shades of gray and aqua partner beautifully with a black or white exterior, as do softer shades like beige, buff or ecru. The latter neutrals can sometimes run the risk of feeling a bit austere, though, so if you’re making a play for a more standout look, you may want to consider painting the interior of your China cabinet a contrasting hue. Trending kitchen cabinet colors can help field inspiration for vintage china cabinets, and basic shades like black, gray and white are fairly goof proof. However, the painted look can be a little trickier to pull off than simply slapping the reigning Pantone color of the year on your light wood china cabinet.

Idea #1: Paint the Interior or Exterior of a China CabinetĪn antique oak china cabinet can take on new ebullience with a simple coat of paint. This move transforms the piece into a well-stocked one-stop-shop for all things dining-related.įor more inspiration for a contemporary china cabinet makeover, read on! We’ve included some ideas for modernizing an outdated antique china cabinet to bring back that wow factor for your home. These open doors can be lined with stacks of white dishes and peppered with accents like serving bowls, heirloom salt and pepper shakers - along with incidentals like gravy boats. Some have opted to remove a china cabinet’s doors to procure a more casual, open-shelving scenario.

The only question is: How do you style one so that it doesn’t feel like a glaring anachronism? Part of the china cabinet’s conundrum is what to stow inside of it now that porcelain china has been replaced with everyday dinnerware.Ī plethora of shelving and stacks of drawers means the refurbished china cabinet’s merits remain high. What to Do, What to Do… (With China Cabinets) Some, depending on the style, feature detailing like leaded glass panes or finials. Most showcased a simple construction composed of a hutch, which was often enclosed with glass-fronted doors that were set atop a bank of drawers or a cabinet-style base. Later designs introduced Federalist and Georgian styles. This was thanks to their glass-front doors that intended to show off the exquisite commodities within.Įarly china cabinets were wooden and ranged in styles from Chippendale to Queen Anne. Designed to be a treasury for these bequeathal breakables, China cabinets skewed a bit more hedonistic than other oak and pine cabinets of the day. Their ascent coincided with the rise in porcelain china’s popularity. Yet, few furniture pieces top this centuries-old workhorse when it comes to their ability to display heirlooms aplenty - from traditional blue willow china to rainbow gradient glass collections.Ĭhina cabinets also possess the unique ability to add panache to the oft-overlooked venue of the dining room.įor those who’ve adopted a china cabinet hutch into their homes, they’ll be the first to attest that there’s a dynamic energy that only a china cabinet can bring to a room.Ĭhina cabinets originated in England at the end of the 17th century. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANTIQUE CHINA CABINETSĪs one of the stalwart examples of traditional brown furniture, China cabinets have been through their collective ups and downs with style seekers - edging fresh feelings in some decades and evoking antiquated emotions in others.
