8/22/2011

My China Hutch...A Mini Metamorphosis!

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My french country dining room...August 2011
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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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Wow...seems like summer is winding down pretty fast and I still have a couple of projects that I would like to complete before autumn arrives.  My head is spinning and I'm still wondering where all of my time went this summer.
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I did complete one little project that was on my list of "summer to do's".
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If you look at the photo above...you will see a small china hutch.  This beautiful hutch belonged to my dear, sweet Grandma.  It is truly one of my most cherished possessions and I feel so blessed to have it.  This small hutch fits perfectly into this corner of my dining room...just like it was made for this space.
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My china hutch...dressed in summery whites and apple greens!
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As you can see...the interior walls of the hutch is composed of semi-dark wood.
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I have wanted to "lighten up" the interior of the hutch for soooo long!  Oooh...I just can't tell you how many times that I wanted to get the paint out!  But...since this hutch is a prized family heirloom, I just can't bring myself to make any permanent changes to it.
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Soooo....I came up with a solution!  Scrapbooking paper!!!
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I found this fabulous...frenchy toile...scrapbooking paper at Hobby Lobby.  As soon as I seen it...I knew it would be perfect for my china hutch!  It has all the colors of my dining room...red, olive green, gold, and gray...and I just adore toile!!!
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This was such a quick and easy project.  It only took me a couple of hours to cover the interior of my hutch with the paper.  I just used double-stick tape to adhere the paper to the walls.  It seems to be the perfect solution...I have lightened up the interior...and I can take the paper off whenever I would like.  Voila!!!
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**My China Hutch...."After"
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I have to tell you...I really had a difficult time getting photos.  I have a very large window on this side of the dining room...so I always get "glare".  I just couldn't capture the true color of the hutch's newly papered interior either.  The photos make the paper look like it has a pinkish tint but in real life...it doesn't look pink at all.
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Close-up photo.  This photo shows more of the "true" colors of the paper.  I love how it turned out!!!
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My hutch is dressed in summer white and apple green. 
It won't be long till I change out the summer dishes for my autumn dishes.
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My New French Script Pillow...
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I recently had the good fortune of winning a gift givaway that was hosted by Sherry over at No Minimalist Here.  Thank you, Sherry...I love, love, LOVE my new frenchy pillow!!!
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My honey made this bench, that sits under the window in my dining room, when he was in high school.  When I first moved here, I found it outside behind this shop...I saved it!  Hehe!  I added a frenchy scroll design to the front of the bench...painted it...and recovered the cushion.  It fits perfectly under the window.  I just love decorative pillows...bet you couldn't tell!  Hehe!  My bench is perfect for displaying a few of my favorites!  I change them out with the different seasons.  This spring and summer, I used apple green and white in the dining room's decor.
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My new french script pillow goes nicely with the summer pillows...don't you think?
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Well dear friends...hope you enjoyed my little china hutch's new "mini makeover"!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Thank you, dear ladies...for hosting these sweet parties for all of us to enjoy!
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Well dear friends...thank you so much for coming by today!  Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here.  I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Summery Wishes!

41 comments:

Sheila said...

Hello Cheri, I just love your country french dining room. Well, let's just say I love your whole house. You really have a decorator's touch. What a great idea to us paper which can be removed later if you want a change or want the wood grain back. Like you, I don't think I could bring myself to paint such a special piece of furniture so I like this idea. I may have to try it.

Carol said...

Hi Chari!
That looks fabulous! So very clever of you, my friend!

Michele Smith said...

Neat idea using scrapbook paper. I love your hutch and even more so because it belonged to your grandmother. I wish I had something of my nanny's.
Love your new pillow too!
Have a great day!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Hello my dear Chari, how is my girl? I know you're doing well after finishing your gannie's hutch, which is so pretty and now it's gorgeous!! I have a similar with not a pretty background and I may become a kopy-kat myself! I love your angels and white china inside and before, I saw a couple of crystal candle holders, I loved too!! Very clever and talented too. Thank you for your generous and lovely comments, you're the sweetiest lady in blog land dear friend, I'm so blessed to have met you! Lots of hugs. FABBY

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hey sweet Sis..I did this with the scrap paper last year in my hutch in my hallway..your looks wonderful my dear friend...hope your BD was the very best ever..Love ya girl Dawna is having back surgery as I type..Hugs and smiles Gloria

FABBY'S LIVING said...

The three girls playing hide and seak around a bowl is Meissen and vintage, yeah, I love it, we bought a few years ago on a trip to the capita at an antique shop. Thank you for asking about it! Luv ya! By the way, I love your pillows too, so pretty. FABBY

Anonymous said...

HI Chari! Oh, how beautiful! I don't call this a mini met - it huge! I love the toile too and it just makes your hutch! You did well! Love how you've dressed her up inside too with your pretty dishes.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Debbie said...

Loving that hutch! I think the floral background makes it look so romantic. (I also love the floor in that room!)

lvroftiques said...

Chari I don't think I've ever seen quite this view of your dining room. Great shot. It really does look like that spot was made for your Grandma's china cabinet! And that toile paper is absolutely dreamy!! I love the new look! Vanna

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

What a great idea, there is such a variety of pretty scrapbook paper. Glad you did not paint it, I think sometimes some things are not meant to be painted. love the pillow and seating area too!

Richard Cottrell said...

The toile paper did add a little touch of France to that cabinet. i like what you did. Richard from My Old Historic House.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this idea! I have a white hutch, but I really want to do this! Great paper choice, too! Thanks for sharing! This was my favorite project on this weeks Metamophis Monday!

Theresa said...

WOW, the pillows caught my eye first thing, love them! I also love the shelf above the window... GREAT IDEA! Now, your china cabinet looks so much brighter with the transformation, beautiful!

Thanks for sharing these beauties with me and great tip to use scrapbooking paper!

Have a blessed day, HUGS!

Linda said...

Your cabinet looks wonderful and I absolutely love your bench and the pillows on it...very cozy looking! Your whole room looks great!!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Chari, what a brilliant idea! I love how the paper created such a beautiful background inside your hutch! And so easy to change anytime you wish. Chari, I couldn't help but notice the shelf above your windows with the lovely display of pitchers. I would ooh and awww all day long if I came to visit. Your home is just beautiful and I love all the wonderful ideas you share.
XO
Susan

Becca Bertotti said...

WOW, this looks beautiful, Chari! I just love the paper that you lined your gorgeous buffet ... toile is truly classic. And, it's the perfect backdrop to showcase your lovely pieces! Your new pillows are so pretty ... I have the same apple green/cream ones out on my screened porch. Well done! *Becca*

Apple of His Eye said...

Hi Chari!

What a great idea! I also have a dark china cabinet. It looks great!
Also loved seeing a little more of your house!
It's so lovely!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Olive said...

Chari, the china cabinet cabinet is truly beautiful with the white and green china. The paper did lighten it up. Joe and I do not paint very much of our family pieces either so I get your hesitation to paint the interior of the cabinet. The pillows on the bench are quite pretty. hugs♥O

Carolyn said...

Hi Chari,
The pretty toile paper was the perfect solution-I love it!
Your new pillow is pretty too and the bench fits in so nicely.

Take care,
Carolyn

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Cheri, it looks beautiful! Love the way it lightened up your cabinet and what a wonderful way to change the appearance temporarily. Your whole dining room looks gorgeous, and your new pillow is the perfect addition. Congratulations. laurie

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Chari, you always do the most amazing displays. Your hutch is fabulous and I love the print on the back. The touch of the green is wonderful. I also love that shelf above the window. Everything is always so pretty. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Blondie's Journal said...

Chari...this is such a creative and clever idea and I just love how it turned out! I love that it's not permanent...that would be scary, especially with an heirloom like yours. GREAT job!!

Your bench is very pretty, too! Congratulations on your win! The pillow is beautiful and goes so well with your whole room. Have you thought of which colors you are going to switch too when fall arrives? It so much fun to change with the seasons!

Have a wonderful evening, my friend!

XO,
Jane

Unknown said...

Chari,

Wow!!! Wow!!! Absolutely gorgeous! I'm inspired. That little corner cabinet in my breakfast nook is just begging for this. Gotta find me some pretty scrapbook paper. I wish we had a HL nearby. I have Micheal's so I'm going there tomorrow at lunch. Your cabinet is to die for!

Blessings sweet friend,
Kathy

Danielle's Sweets said...

Hi Chari, LOVE the scrapbook paper idea!!! Your hutch is beautiful. Love your taste : )

Margaret said...

I love the idea of using the scvrapbook paper, it's beautiful!

Lori E said...

Great idea to use that paper. With all the blogs showing us how to paint everything in sight I am glad you found another solution.
I do love your pillows. I just need a good book and I will curl up right there to read.

podso said...

Chari, I L O V E What you did! Just an amazing transformation but so simple! I did this with a small bookcase, and have often thought of doing it with a dark china cabinet, if I could find the right paper! This is just delightful and the pattern you chose is perfect. It is interesting with a closer look to see what looks like wood shelves are really glass?

Kim said...

I love the changes Chari! You choice of paper for the back of your hutch was fabulous and that frenchy pillow is divine!!! Congrats on winning. Isn't Sherry the best! Have a great week sweet lady.
xoxo,
Kim

bj said...

O, I love that french dining room...I love your hutch.
You have such a beautiful house and it is decorated soooo pretty.
xo bj

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Chari,
Oh you did good girl! That was really the perfect solution indeed!
Dan and I did our's with fabric but the paper seems to work really well too!
Love the colors, love your dining room!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday my dear!
I was thinking of you and hoping that you got your Hobby Lobby fix in! lol.
It's rainy here today but we've had some beautiful summer weather and I for one don't want it to end~
Hugs to you dear,
Cindy

Sonia said...

Hi Chari,

What a great idea and so easy to change!! I love that..you could change for the holidays!! I've been on a bloggy break- been working a lot and now back to part-time so I'm catching up on everyone's blogs!! Yours is always a favorite in my book!!

Miss Bloomers

On Crooked Creek said...

Chari,
Oh how lovely, dear friend! That paper is gorgeous and I adore how you made it a temporary solution! Your shelves are elegantly displayed individual vignettes! Your new "Frenchy" pillow is beautiful. Can't wait to see it with your Fall decor.
Fondly,
Pat

Cindy said...

The mini-makeover is simply gorgeous! I'm sure you will love that china cabinet so much more now.
Your pillows look so nice on the bench and the newest pillow fits in perfectly!
Love and hugs, Cindy

Babs said...

Chari, What a good idea and you can just change it whenever you like. It looks great!
Babs

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

This was brilliant. I don't think I EVER would have thought of scrapbook paper. Love all your green too. Now it's almost Fall and you'll have to change it up again!

JudyBug said...

Love it all! The paper gave it such a soft romantic touch. The pillows...wow!

A Hint of Home said...

I love all your white and green in your cabinet. The background paper is very pretty. You did a great job!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea, Chari. Scrapbook paper has so many good uses.

I'm in love with your window seat.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Char,
Can you tell that i am playing catch up since I keep commenting of different post!! LOL!!
We keep losing our Internet, after effects of Irene.
I also wanted to thank you for your recent visit. I have part 2 of the Stegmaier mansion tour up now and Part 3 will be following next week....

Now , what a great idea to transform a hutch!! So many ideas are now floating around in my head now!!

It looks like a million bucks!! Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration!!

Hugs,
Deb

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Hi Chari!


Thanks for stopping by today and for your extra sweet comments. You are so sweet.

I loved your post from last fall of your hutch with all the reds and gold in it! That looked gorgeous and then I followed your lead to see the hutch with the new toile paper installation and I love that too! You are so clever!

So pretty. Love the lace edged plates...so versatile and what a statement on a table!

Love your room. Looks fab.
Thanks for coming by today.
Love your visits.
x0x0x
Alison

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