When our kitchen renovation plans were in the very early stages, I had in mind that I wanted to find an antique plate rack. I have always been drawn to them, especially since I have an extensive collection of ironstone and dishes. There’s always a chance I’ll find one at an antique store or market, but I was combing Maria’s shopping and van-loading pictures as she took shopping trips to Europe to fill a container to ship back to the US to sell online and in her California-based shop, Dreamy Whites. I spotted this pretty pine rack on her Instagram stories one day, circled it, and texted her the picture.
Several weeks ago, before the kitchen renovation even started, a huge box arrived unexpectedly at my doorstep. Maria is incredibly generous, so it’s not unusual for packages to arrive when I haven’t ordered anything from her. I opened the box, feeling like a kid at Christmas, and was overwhelmed to see the antique pine rack I had circled and texted to her months ago. I initially sent the picture with the intention of getting a price and requesting she set it aside for me to buy, but she gifted it to me.
I’m not sure how I missed that what I thought was a plate rack wasn’t the right shape to hold plates. I knew right away what I would use it for – to store and display my collection of ironstone moulds. I’m not sure if this rack was made for that, but to me, it is a mould rack! I ended up hanging it on the wall to the right of the pantry and it’s perfect there.
My mom is the one who convnced me to hang one of my paintings just below it. She told me it was “artsy” to hang art at an unconventional height and I’m inclined to agree with her! .
My favorite part about the rack is the curved detail on the side…
Since ther rack is visible from the foyer/hallway entry, it’s nice that it looks so pretty from the side.
I’ve loved and collected ironstone molds for years, but never had a great way to display them other than stacking them on a shelf, so this is so perfect.
The bottom rack is a bit narrower than the rest, so I filled it with a narrow mould and a couple of orphaned lids.
As I shared in another post about decorating the kitchen, it has been such a fun process to fill the newy designed space with pieces I’ve been collecting over the part 20+ years. All of these individual finds that come together to make a room that is unique and thoroughly my style. It has me even more excited to finish more spaces in the house. This charming 1970s rancher is slowly coming back to life.
There are a few more finishing details to call the kitchen done, but the big thing we’re hoping for this week is the window. It’s slated to arrive at the local warehouse June 22…
37 Responses
What a wonderful friend you have in Maria, this is so youuuuu! It looks beautiful with the ironstone and ties in perfectly with this kitchen’s unique and lovely look. I absolutely love how this room has turned out. I’m waiting for more photos of that gorgeous stepback and all of your goodies on it! You’ve outdone yourself, Marion!
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you create your dream kitchen, plus freshening up the whole house. I think the antique rack is another cherry on top, adding even more charm to the room. Bravo!
Sorry. MariAn. Lol!
the other day I found a huge ironstone platter at a garage sale for a dollar. ironstone is rare as hen’s teeth where I live, so I was happy to find it!!! we used it yesterday for our Father’s Day supper and it goes beautifully with my wedgwood countryside china. I love your rack and the ironstone molds. the whole display is timeless.
Oh so lucky, good for you.
If ironstone is rare as hen’s teeth where you are, where is that, it is not abundant here in southern Ontario either.
here in Alberta…lots of cowboys, but no ironstone!
It’s perfect and I love the painting hanging below it. Perfect!
The rack has a very different profile – do you have any idea what it was originally meant to hold? It’s perfect for your moulds, though!! Sometimes I think you sold everything when you moved, but you sure held on to your favorite stuff – it’s all coming together in your new kitchen so well! One would think you had a crystal ball and saw your future kitchen and knew where to place everything…
Elena –
I believe this would have originally been intended to hold larger sized wooden bowls. They would have been placed in the rack with the concave side facing down/resting on the strip supports. You can occasionally find pictures of early homes/restorations showing this arrangement.
Thank you!
You have such a good eye. It looks AMAZING!
It’s just right. Very you and looks gorgeous!
So pretty! I love how your kitchen is coming together. So much character.
I need to look out for a similar rack. I have a large collection of jelly moulds, both ironstone and glass. They are absolute works of art! My favourite is a sunflower mould. Such incredible detail! Your kitchen is looking beautiful! The painting below looks great. Your Mum is absolutely right!
Marian!! What a find. It’s the perfect piece to showcase the ironstone mounds and pairs so very well with the bakers table. Your family is breathing new life into what was once a tired house. Kudos, for seeing the possibilities and being able to bring them to life!
Perfect addition for your new kitchen. I love love your molds.
The rack is as beautiful as your friendship with Maria. It looks perfect there and your Mother is right. That picture below is the perfect finishing touch. I love watching it all come together in your unique style that is always stunningly beautiful!
That rack is gorgeous! I have many treasures I have ordered from her over the last couple of years- my favorite thing is that she always includes a lavender sachet in my orders ❤️. Loving your kitchen remodel . We are currently doing ours too.
I LOVE this! I also have a collection of ironstone moulds and have struggled with how to display them. This rack is beyond perfect.
Oh Marian! It is so perfect!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love it!! And your painting is perfection. I love it under the rack. I will say that every time you have a sale on your paintings it’s when I’m at work and it KILLS me to miss out!!
Kitchen is coming together so great. Love the rack; and what a dear friend
to send to you. Hope you have sent her pics of it.
Unique and beautiful, with that old wood. I’ve never seen a rack quite like it, no wonder you were intrigued by it. And what a generous friend you have. The world would be a much better (and far prettier) place if more people gifted to others, just for the love of it. I’m proud to say I’m one of those gifters. ( tooting my own horn). While I love getting gifts to be sure, I equally enjoy giving people things just for the joy of it. Maria always has such beautiful pieces, it would be hard not to feel like it’s Christmas! love the personal touches you are adding to your new kitchen.
PERFECT…..simply delightful! love the low hung artwork too.
I’m sure you feel the same joy & excitement when you unpack your things that you felt when you 1st discovered your treasures while shopping!
So unique. Love it
Looks like this wonderful rack may have been used for large (the top) and smaller bowls, perhaps wooden bowls?
Hi! I am loving the moulds displayed in your “new to you” plate/mould rack❤️ You have done such a wonderful job with your home. Enjoy it.
What’s not to LOVE when it comes to Antique Pine & Ironstone!! 🙂
Love the character the rack brings to the kitchen. I am curious though, if this rack isn’t used for platters what was it made for?
What a beautiful gift from Dreamy Whites! And your mom is right, your painting looks great below the rack.
Molds should be seen and what a perfect rack. I have a few and like you Marian I set them on a shelf often with foliage or something inside. I love that we can see the design inside each mold.
In one picture the cabinets look so much lighter in color. They are beautiful.
It’s been fun to watch your kitchen grow! As always, thank you for sharing!
Maria is so generous and wonderful – I looooove her online store so much. And this item is perfect right there!! She
knew it!!!! It is a very special piece.
GL with the window install – whoo hoo !!!!
what an udderly delightful rack! (sorry, not sorry – the cow in the picture below the rack made me say it)
I am so enjoying the process of your new kitchen!
What is the woven push cart with handle resting non pantry called. I shop but don’t know what to call it.
Your help will be appreciated!
Ohh! What a great idea! I have some copper moulds that would look great in a rack! Adding it to the list! Thank you!
It’s remarkable how you have changed this kitchen. You had a vision and it’s become a wonderful reality. Every piece fits beautifully.
I have to comment on hanging art in unusual places or at unusual heights. That’s likely because we artists have so many paintings that we’ll just slap them any old place after awhile just to get them off of the floor and out of stacks!
I love antique European pine furniture. It looks beautiful in your kitchen but what really sets it off is your wonderful artwork!