I’m linking to two parties today, Marty’s Table Top Tuesday and Linda’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays because I used thriftstore finds to redo my dining room china cabinet. Be sure to hop on over to both blogs to see all the other people who are participating.
I found all three of these soup for one soup tureens in thriftstores. My most recent finds are the two on the right. They were all under $2!
As any easy way to get a new look, I also painted the inside of my cabinet white and added some fun black harlequin wrapping paper to the back (the inside had apple green polka dot paper before).
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This is such a small china cabinet with small shallow shelves that I really can’t put large platters or dinner size plates in it. It’s only 18 inches wide.
So normally I choose to display smaller items such as the cream and sugars like the ones behind the tureen. Sometimes I use cups, bowls and egg cups.
It’s hard to photograph this cabinet with the doors closed – there’s just never enough light in that corner.
Just for fun I thought I’d show you what it looked like years ago before I added the chicken wire to the door front and painted it black!
I think I may eventually mix the smaller tureens I find with my larger soup tureen collection which is in my kitchen.
I also found some more vintage brooches at Goodwill. The flower one is Spode just like the red transferware plate it’s on!
I added the large glittery brooch to my tassel that I made a while back.
All the pieces in the cabinet are thrifted including some of the pitchers on top of the cabinet. The other items are from TJ Maxx/Marshalls. The paper I used was clearanced Christmas wrap from Hobby Lobby. The paint I already had (I could open a paint store LOL)!
I always tell people that you can really decorate your home very inexpensively by thrifting/yardsaleing and waiting for things to get marked down at discount stores! There’s really no reason you can’t have the home you want without spending a fortune. That’s the way I do it!
Good grief, Manuela! I just did a smaller harlequin print on the back of a bookcase {I've got the post drafted for next week's linky parties}. I do love your cabinet; it may be small, but it is just the right size to me and I love it black. Your smaller white pieces are perfect in there! I've taken to looking at the jewelry counter when I'm ready to get on line at Goodwill myself. Many times I've found what turns out to be a pair of earrings that just make for great embellishments.
I just love the beautiful shapes of the whiteware you have displayed in this cabinet. The tureens have somuch pretty detail!
Always love to see what you've been doing in your Home!!
Lovely!
I love the transformation of the cabinet and love all the white tureens. Like mind think alike. I am collecting white things and tureens for my hutch in the dining room. I love those thrifty finds. Such great prices. I am going to have to find a thrift store to go to.
I love the transformation of the cabinet and love all the white tureens. Like mind think alike. I am collecting white things and tureens for my hutch in the dining room. I love those thrifty finds. Such great prices. I am going to have to find a thrift store to go to.
I love your finds and what you've done with them! Just lovely and so inspirational!
Love the harlequin pattern in the back of the shelves. What a great idea to collect individual soup tureens in different styles. (I'm afraid you've started me on the hunt for another collection-just what I need! I hope I can find some as pretty AND as thrifty as yours). Love the bling added to the tassel. laurie
As usual, such good ideas and you make it look so simple. These white dishes, tureens, etc. look so pretty, especially when grouped together like you do. That little cabinet is adorable and such a big difference from the before picture!
This cabinet is so cute! I just love it and all of the dishes you have in there. I can't believe those tureens were under $2! Great deals!
And you do it so well! You are amazing!
I love the paper you put in the back of the hutch. You have a great thrift store you lucky!
You are so smart! The cabinet is like night/day…I love the black and white behind them…and $2.00…I can't believe it! Really looks so good. Come say hi 😀
Oh your last statement is so true. "you can really decorate your home very inexpensively by thrifting/yardsailing."
I can't wait to finiah what I found at your goodwill last week, so happy!! I'll be working on it over the Memorial Day week-end if it doesn't rain!! Once I get it finish I will post it on my blog.
Love it! I am very envious of that harlequin paper!
I just never see those wonderful little soup tureens around here. Yours are really special, and I love how they all look together in your cabinet. Have a great week. Sally
This is gorgeous Manuela.
I'm going to keep an eye out for the individual tureens. Yours are wonderful.
I just love your blog! So, pretty!
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Manuela,
Your little china cabinet is gorgeous!!!
I love all of the white soup tureens, I have a few, I really need to pick up more. And you are absolutely right. You can have the house you want by being thrifty as you mentioned. That is exactly what I do.
Hugs, Cindy S
Those individual soup tureens have captured my heart. You've found such lovely pieces. Love that they are all white. Great idea! I think I'm going hunting. LOL ~ Sarah
Under $2? That's wild! It'd never happen in my corner. I love your harlequin paper and am still looking for gift wrap to stick in the back of my cabinet. Can't find anything like it…yet!
Your cabinet makeover looks outstanding…luv the chicken wire! You soup tureen collection is huge…I only have three:( I also love those PRETTY brooches…thanks for sharing all your treasures at NTT!
Blessings,
Linda
I love that cabinet. It is just perfect and your single tureens are stunning. I really like the smaller ones almost better than the larger ones and they are so hard to find. Yours are all beautiful. The black paint made a huge difference as well as the chickenwire in the cabinet. Perfect. YOur vignette is beautiful. Thanks so much for joining the party. I really enjoyed your vignette. Hugs, Marty
You do it so well Manuela! Your little cabinet is darling!
I so agree with you about making a nice home with thrifted and sale items. But I also LOVE the hunt for treasures! karen….
I never find such cute stuff at Goodwill! Of course, I don't go very often, so that could be the problem! LOL!
I LOVE the redo of that little cabinet. And of course that tassel! : )
That piece turned out gorgeous! Your white pieces just make it more the lovely. Love the added touch of the tassel too.
Totally fantastic! Love the cabinet with the background. The soup tureens are outstanding!
smiles, alice
I need a china cabinet in my dining room, but my husband is insisting on buying one that matches the new dining set we bought when we moved into the house. I would rather find an old one and not have it match perfectly. If we buy the one that matches, we will just have to wait a while because we are now broke due to the major backyard overhaul that is finally completed. Thank goodness. My hands have blisters from those shovels
I have that same harlequin paper, but haven't done anything with it yet. I looooove it in your cabinet!!!
Yeah another chicken wire cupboard! Love it. And you do find the most amazing pieces at your thriftstore! We are not all that lucky in finding such great terrines there.
I think the cupboard looks tons better in black!
Hi Manuela…
Oooh…I love, love, LOVE your pretty cabinet! It was beautiful before but I really do like the black and chicken wire…it's a beautiful cabinet to display those lovely ironstone tureens and pitchers…gorgeous!!! My favorite thing…the harlequin patterned paper that you added to the back of the cabinet…that's a fabulous look!!! Thanks for sharing your pretties with us!!!
I'm so glad that you stopped by for a little peek at my spring mantel! I really enjoyed your visit and sweet note..thank you!!!
Have a terrific Tuesday, my friend!
Chari @Happy To Design
love the Harlequin.. where did u find the wrapping paper? mishelle
Dear Manuela
You are so clever with your hands!
Thank you for sharing these great ideas. That's why I love visiting your blog! 🙂
Hi Manuela, You truly are the queen of thrift. You certainly have the knack for finding things and decorating in such a way that it looks like a million bucks. Your yard in all its blooming glory is fabulous! I need some time to go through your homemade cleaning products — definitely want to give some of those a try. Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday. Best wishes, Tammy
What cute tureens. Your cabinet looks great, I am doing the same thing to the back of one of my china with clearenced gift wrap. Love the broches.
🙂 Michelle
Manuela, this looks beautiful! It was fun to see that cabinet in its "Before" state. I love it painted black. . . and the addition of the harlequin paper is inspired.
You are the QUEEN of soup tureens. I just love the fact that you've found most of these pieces when you were thrifting. You're a great example. 🙂
I don't comment much, but read your blog often. Let me just compliment your taste in thrift store finds. It is amazing what you have gotten your hands on. As I begin my adventure in fixing up my home on my summer break, I can only hope to fallow your example half as well.
Oh I adore your soup tureens and broaches. So very lovely.
Your soup tureens are wonderful.
I just love your creativity!
Hugs,
Donna
This is just DARLING!! YOU are SO CREATIVE!! XXOO
Love, love, love, brilliant and so you xoxoxox Clarice
Manuela, love all the pretty white things. I am starting to collect more and more white ceramics and dishes…..so perfect!
Barb ♥
You're evidence that you can have a beautiful home on a budget, Manuela! I love the tureens. I have one tureen. Have to look for some more!
Brenda
Love everything, Manuela. in a word: *sweet*
I have that same tureen in the middle top picture! (Also a thrifty fine) I absolutely adore all your china! I just looks lovely!
Have a great day!
Pamela
Beautiful. Love the diamond pattern in the black and white, so dramatic. Linda
Always very lovely, Manuela.
What a lovely collection you have!
~WOW! That looks stunning! Love it!
Your cabinet looks fantastic! I have one I would like to update too, and yours is a great inspiration. I really enjoyed seeing your front yard too – the painted pots are so charming! Hope you're having a great week.
Andrea
Love the black and white. I've always loved a harlequin pattern.
Great change up.
HI Manuela, I'm a day late but enjoying the tour. I love your tassel hanging on the door and Love that cabinet! You put together the cutest vignettes…they always look so nice and I stare and study trying to figure out how you do what you do! Big smile. that's why I keep coming back for a visit….I just know one of these times I'll figure out your design secret!!!
Blessings,
Debbie
Love the cabinet. I also love the whiteware and the harlequin print on the back!!!
Love the makeover!
Great advice Manuela! Thrifting and yard saling are a great means of acquiring the look you want for less, but the trade off is a huge time investment and you must have a vision or a discerning eye or you can end up with a lot of clutter. Your house is a beautiful example of vision, discernment and thrift, not to mention patience.(It takes time to acquire those collections!) Thanks for inspiring us!