I’ve been looking for and considering an alternative to the inexpensive open shelves we added during our kitchen renovation. We were at the end of the project and the budget, and I was also experiencing decision fatigue. But I quickly realized I didn’t have a place to put my mixer or all of my ironstone collection, so I came up with an inexpensive solution – open shelves made out of stair treads and metal brackets, all painted the color of the wall. It was budget-friendly, pretty easy to install, customizable, and would meet the immediate need. I always thought they would eventually be replaced with something else, but I keep coming back to the same problem when I look at antique wall shelves or even when I consider building something – there is simply too much stuff.
This is one of the realizations that urged me to start thinning my collections. If I got my ironstone collection down to my favorite pieces, I wouldn’t need these shelves. In addition, some of the tidying and purging I’ve done in the kitchen cabinets opened a new place for my mixer. So, as I was looking at which ironstone pieces to sell and which ones to keep, I kept this goal in mind.
I wanted to be able to fit all of my ironstone in the antique glass-front cabinet in the dining room…
…and the hutch in the kitchen. This, of course, excludes all the pieces that are tucked in pretty much every room of the house. I am going through those as well, but most are put to good use and therefore keepers. At the end of a few days of sorting, the collection fit in those two cabinets. (I am even selling all but one of the milk pitchers along the top of the kitchen hutch in the picture below.)
I kept pieces for two reasons – I really love them, or I have a good use for them. I use handleless cups for organizing little things like paperclips and pencils, and bands for my watch. I use sauces under small plants, as trays for bars of soap or sponges, spoon rests, etc. I use bowls for anything and everything. I kept a few different sizes of pitchers for bouquets and a few of my favorite tureens just to enjoy. My mom said I still have too many pitchers, but I’m selling over half of the pitchers in my collection, so I feel pretty good about that. I also kept the most valuable and rare pieces in my collection – the punch bowls and cake stands.
I ended up clearing the shelves! I kept the pitcher and sold the sugar jars to a good friend. I don’t have a piece to replace the shelves, yet, but I’m going to keep my eyes out for something at the Lucketts Spring Market. Until then, I’m going to hang an antique oil portrait there to fill up the space. We’ll put the shelves to use in the basement or garage.
As I’ve been packing stuff up to ship out to friends or for local vendors to pick up as a lot, I’ve actually felt excited about the space I’m creating. It feels really good, even though I had a few moments of hesitation. It’s given me momentum to get rid of more, and I find myself being ruthless in my basement decor stash, which I hardly ever visit or pull from. It’s time to let those things go where they will be featured and enjoyed instead of sitting on a shelf in a basement.
I’ll share more about the space I made for the mixer and other organization happenings in the kitchen in another post. Things are moving along, though…
26 Responses
Good for you.
Cleaning out is so therapeutic.
It’s actually refreshing.
I am sure it feels so great for you to breath some space where it got a little to overwhelming . I am doing the same as I am downsizing from A 1850’s farm house to a 1960’s bungalow time for one floor and less stuff.
Are you keeping the sugar bowls I see are still on the top shelf (I hope)? FWIW, I love the texture they bring to a space, and they’re versatile too.
I kept one from that group and am selling the rest to a friend. I have a few more around the house, so I feel good about it. I’ve been able to love those for a long time.
I’ve always loved your decor, collections and love of all things history…but I absolutely adore the “purge”…it’s as if you’ve given your home the ability to breathe, while still allowing you to enjoy the pieces you selected to cherish.
I’m redoing , rethinking and repainting a back room with all the grandkids toys and it is Emotional! Good for you in making that corner just all the more perfect and being able to be a good steward of your sweet things .
Yay, you!!
Looks nice. Some breathing room.
Removing the shelves was a wise decision. They never really showcased your wonderful design aesthetic.
I am inspired!! I have done it and some times it just means holding your breath and passing the box to your hubby. It does feel so much better as it is freeing but in my gut I’m still attached but it’s ok. I have to agree with your mom on the pitchers. I confess, I LOVE the hunt!! Sparks is coming up in two weeks and I can’t wait!!
I am SO glad you are getting rid of the shelves. I always thought it took your gorgeous kitchen down a notch with those shelves. Smart move!!
A pat on the back for your hard work! I’m so proud of you. Your decisions are helping me with my addiction, rubber art stamps, inks and paper…….a closet full!
I did the same thing you are doing about 6 months. It was so hard but I am so glad I did.
Keep going
I think eliminating the shelves and displaying the pieces you choose to keep on the cabinet will make those pieces more special and give breathing room to the kitchen. The cabinet in the dining room is beautiful and there is ample space around the ironstone pieces inside it.
I agree with many of the comments made above about getting rid of those shelves. I loved your kitchen but never liked the shelves. The whole set-up felt too cluttered. They also did not match the elevated aesthetic of the kitchen. I think you will enjoy the breathing room. Congratulations!
When selling a lot to a vendor do you feel you get enough to make it worth while? Any tips on the selling process would be appreciated. I keep way too much and need all the help I can get.
I love seeing your collection in the hutch. I knew the shelves were temporary, but glad you decided to take them down. Since the post mentioned your basement….how is THAT project going? You know…in your spare time. 😅
Looks beautiful and a breath of fresh air just in time for spring! I love how you downsized the hutch, keeping only what you love. Matches the clean look that you have in your gorgeous kitchen. Like others, I always felt the hutch and shelves felt cluttered and heavy to me. Good for you making those hard decisions!
I love your collection. In the dining room cabinet, I think the row with the cake plates looks a little lonely . Those kitchen top shelf sugar bowls would look cozy nestled in between the cake plates.
Says the woman with a massive blue willow collection!!!…lol I actually have sold some this year myself.
Sometimes it is just time. Even Martha Stewart sold all of her massive Jadeite collection.
One thing I have found helpful to make me assess and decide on decor objects is to put them all on shelves and have them in plain view for as long as it takes to make me decide what to keep and what should go! I am currently doing this analysis with all my transferware.
I, like others, am very glad to see those white shelves in your kitchen go. They were just too cluttered feeling and didn’t match the kitchen decor scheme. The pieces you are keeping will look so much better on the hutches and cabinets that are made to showcase them.
I’m sure you will appreciate the visual space you have gained by removing the shelves. Like you said, you now have room for a painting in the space!
That is a lot of letting go .. and your cabinet looks beautiful in every way. My heart just took a flip when I wrote “letting go..” I’ve been doing it too.
Happy Spring Marian!
Purging before splurging I like it!!!! Hope you find the perfect piece at Lucketts.
Well done, Marian. Good decisions. You won’t regret it.
That corner is going to look so lovely with some negative space! I think hanging a piece of art there will be wonderful visually, but won’t feel too cramped. Maybe it feels more spacious in person, but I wonder if putting another piece of furniture back in there will be too much… In the pictures it almost appears as though that corner is in a shop, which is trying to fit in as much merchandise in the square footage available.
Amazing. I know you are more of a maximalist, but I wouldn’t put anything on that wall other than maybe one large painting or one mid-size with the antlers moving over above it (I think the clock needs to stay for practical reasons so you can see it from the sink). This would make the hutch and collection much more of the focal point in that area.
thank you