Monday, February 15, 2010

Some little changes

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This weekend I did something that I have wanted to do for a very long time! I replaced the square grid metal front of my blue cabinet with galvanized chicken wire and I added some toile fabric (left over from my dining room chairs) to the back of the cabinet and I love how it turned out! It has a much more French Country feel to it now. Here is what it used to look like (you can click on any photo to enlarge it)...
I never liked the heaviness of this grid...
Here it is with the chicken wire & toile...
The great thing about the chicken wire is that you can see inside much better now. Here is the view with the doors open, I'm loving the blue toile back there...
The fabric can be easily taken out if I get tired of it. I just cut some foam core board to fit in between each shelf and then wrapped them with fabric and pushed them in place. I also took out the vintage linens I had on the bottom shelf and filled the whole cabinet with miscellaneous white items I had on hand.
I'm really happy with how it turned out! It's amazing that a little change can make such a big difference!

88 comments:

Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home said...

Cindy, your make-over is beautiful! I love both elements -- the chicken wire and the blue and white toile. Once again, thank you for delighting us with your charming home!

(eddas) said...

It was very beautiful....I have an old victorian ...there I wont to take det doorwindow out and replace it with the same that you have done....I am moving to a bigger apartment now....sow it would be many changes in the furter....:)
have a nice day Cindy...
hugs elinAnita

She Wore It Well said...

Very clever, you can definitely see things better!

Natasha in Oz said...

Cindy, although your cabinet looked lovely before it really does look much prettier now. I love it!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely..... I think the chicken wire looks much more delicate. Beautiful......
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

A real beauty! The wire is so, so great!

Have a happy monday,
Saskia

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Cindy,
Amazing what a difference a few changes can make. The toile fabric is lovely and very country French indeed.
Good week to you!

Unknown said...

I just love the cabinet. So pretty.

Sarah Tognetti said...

I have just discovered your blog and I'm already in love! You have a beautiful blog! I love the style shabby, I am madly in love! I subscribe to your blog, and I would be honored by your visit to a mine!

You soon

Sarah

mariondee-designs said...

Hi Cindy, I think it looks just beautiful! It does have more of a french country feel now and I love how you made the back panels removable if you ever feel like a change. I also LOVE your little cherub ornaments and dishes. I have a thing for cherubs and have a cherub chandelier in my dining room. take care Maryann

Anonymous said...

More romantic and a wonderful change. Something so simple can make a great impact.......

A Southern Rose said...

It looks very pretty. I love the toile fabric. Perfect with your decor. I like the chicken wire also...thats what I call french country. So pretty.

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

carolineAlexander said...

Small chages really make a huge difference!

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

I love it,Cindy. The fabric makes your white things show up so much more. I have done the fabric covered backs before and it is so fun to change the fabric. The chicken wire looks great too. Happy Valentines day...a day late.

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Cindy..that works very well. That shade of blue is my very favorite one. The white is perfect for it.


Rose
http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Carolyn said...

Hi Cindy,
I love the changes!!!
Carolyn

Peg said...

I agree the chicken wire gives a more delicate look to the cupboard but then again everything you do is gorgeous you're so very talented:o)

Peg xx

Home Loans said...

I can say that you have done some beautiful changes. The snaps gives the preview of your hard work.

My Cottage Charm said...

What a HUGE difference. I'm with you, the metal grid was way too heavy, you can see so much better now! I love the blue toile too. I have some leftover pink and cream toile wallpaper from my kitchen......I'm inspired to go find something to do with it now. :) Have a great day!

Sheila said...

Softend it right up. Now the light dont reflect off the back of the cabinet. It just soaks up in the fabric and makes the white collection look that much more stunning..

Denise Marie said...

It's beautiful, Cindy! I'm gonna sassy up my kitchen cupboard in the same way. I have put some wallpaper panels on the outside and need to open her up and work some magic. Maybe I'll be ready by Friday to show.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That looks fantastic. Love the chicken wire and the toile in the back looks wonderful. I have a little hutch that I took the glass out and added the chicken wire and fabric panels behind it to hide the storage inside.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It did make a huge difference! I love it! The blue in the background really pops! Very nice! ♥

Blue Creek Home said...

I do love the new look with the chicken wire and adorable toile print.

Perfect!
Rhonda

Linda K. said...

Very nice crisp French look. Much better with the chicken wire, and a light airy look. Beautiful! Love the blue toile on the backboard too!
Cindy, you just out do yourself with your fabulous decorating tips!

Linda

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Such a gorgeous cabinet and you are so right, the chicken wire looks just stunning. I really like hte toile too. Your beautiful white collection looks fabulous inside. Gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

Elsie said...

That's a wonderful idea. It IS more
french country like that. Isn't it
funny how doing something so little
can make such a large change. You
can see things better in it and
the toile looks great. Good job
Cindy.You never cease to amaze me.
:O)

Angie Holden said...

Loving that chicken wire!!!

dishdiva said...

Cindy,
As always, everything you do is beautiful, and the changes you made to the cabinet is no exception! I am anxious to see the chandelier you bought at the flea market!
Lorrie

Debbiedoos said...

It looks awesome Cindy!!~ I love french country and you hit on this!!~

Sarah Sarniak said...

It's funny, because I thought it looked great before, but it looks even better now. Your home is so beautiful! :)

Caroline said...

It looks great Cindy. I was wondering how you were going to put the toile in. The foam core is a great idea. I may have to try that to my buffet.

Donna @ Party Wishes said...

I love your makeover! I'm a big fan of chicken wire and toile.

Amazing what a little tweaking can do...beautiful!

The Charm of Home said...

Love the change, that was a big difference and it looks fabulous!

Susan Freeman said...

The chicken wire does look much better and does not distract from the pretty pieces within. Love the toile it's soft, muted and a great background to show off all of your great white pieces. Beautiful job!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

deb mills said...

perfect change! i too, love the fact that you can better see and appreciate everything that's inside. the toile fabric is the icing on the cake!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

Ohhhh, that blue toile is perfect!!

~ Sarah

One Cheap B*tch said...

Wow! That is just beautiful. It was stunning before but now it's...gorgeous!

Sandy said...

It's amazing Cindy how you can take an element that looks perfect and make it even better! I love blue toile (my master bedroom drapes are blue toile) and you're right you can see into your cabinet better with the chicken wire. By the way I just saw a show on H&G about a want-to-be designer who apparently was legally blind and got to design a home owners livingroom. I wish H&G would pick you and some of the other great design bloggers to be on a show. Wouldn't you love to do that?

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

Unknown said...

Cindy, you transformed your armoire from pretty to perfection!

Love the idea of using foam core board to change out the look of the back, you clever girl!

Cheers!
Tina

Esther Sunday said...

Love it, Cindy!

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Hi Cindy, Your cabinet looks beautiful, and I was always a fan of chicken wire tied in with furniture somehow. The idea of putting fabric on foam boards was a excellent idea to put in there and then to be able to remove it when you wanted is FANTASTIC. Now that is something I would never of thought of... I just love that idea and may use it the near future with some of my pieces. Versatility Girl that's what I like!!

Thanks for sharing-

mary pernula said...

very cute, I like the idea of the foam so you can re dress if you want to some day. XO MARY

Diane Mars said...

That is exactly what my husband used on the hutch he made for me, it is a better choice. Hugs, Diane

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Very pretty with the chicken wire, toile and the white pottery.

Everything you touch, comes alive with beauty!

hugs
Sissie

Susan said...

Oh Cindy!! How beautiful your hutch is now...........I love what you did........the blue toile is perfect and made for the perfect look!!

Becky from Tennessee said...

Cindy, the make-over is absolutely
beautiful! I still think you are
in the wrong profession...you are
definitely an interior designer.

I have the hutch from my Mom's
dining room and I think I'm going
to "copy" your idea. I'm so glad
you share all your creativity with
all of us.

Who would think plain old chicken
wire could make something so
beautiful?? Love the toile!!
Your cherubs are adorable. Where
have you found yours? I'm going
to start looking for some.

Thanks again for sharing!
Becky

Victoria said...

It was beautiful before you did the make-over. Now it's even more beautiful!

Sylvia (at) Lily's Pad and Petals said...

Love the chicken wire and anything toile. FABULOUS.

What is the name of the blue paint on the cabinet ?- Love it

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Fabulous!! It looks wonderful, Cindy.

Kimberly said...

So absolutely beautiful!!!

Margott said...

Cindy...You are..no, I really don't know WHAT should I write!? YOur blog is woderfull and all THINGS, You have "made with love" are beautifull...I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!
Have a nice day! MALGOSIA

Sarah Tognetti said...

Hello Cindy, I added your button to my blog! I am happy, a kiss!

Sarah

Lisascraftiques said...

Oh its just beautiful! I have blue and white rooster toile on my dining room hutch and I just love it! Enjoy:)

Wendy said...

It is just beautiful! I love how it show cases your collection. Stunning!
Wendy

Simple Home said...

I would never have thought to do this. I love the wonderful ideas you share. It looks beautiful.
Blessings,
Marcia

Joy Jones said...

Another wonderful project! You always have the best decorating ideas - Beautiful! xo ~ Joy

deb said...

It was pretty before but now it's gorgeous! Great job
*hugs*deb

Eileen @ Star's Fault said...

Oh, this is seriously beautiful. I wonder if my dear husband would allow me to do this to the galss on our cabinet doors... maybe if I accidently breaks the...,no that would be too obvious. I'll just ahve to wait until he goes fishing and get it done then. Yes, that will work!

Thanks for sharing! Eileen @ Star's Fault

BriarRose said...

Cindy...love what you did. It is a much softer look and the toile is perfect!

Rita's Recipes said...

I like it! I just used chicken wire for a project this weekend. Here's a challenge for you; what can you do to repurpose the grid that you removed???
Cheers! Rita

Angel from Avalon's Garden & Greenhouse said...

Cindy,
You are right, this has a much lighter look. You did a beautiful job! Smiles to you.

Angie said...

What an amazing change. I really love the blue/gray tone of the piece...so calming! It compliments all of the white pieces perfectly. You have such a great eye, Cindy!

Hugs ~ Angie

House and Garden Boutique said...

Just beautiful, the finished product is so refreshing.....what a great way to start off Spring!

Anonymous said...

The new wire has made a huge difference Cindy, looked lovely before but looks fantastic now! I have a similar cabinet in the same colour, one of my favourite pieces.
alicia

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Looks great!

Cindy said...

Your before was beautiful, but it is really gorgeous now. I love they way you did it, I had not thought of doing it that way. I may do that on a bookshelf. Your white dishes look so nice now!
Hugs, Cindy S.

Glenda said...

Hi Cindy, haven't been here for awhile, just stopped by to catch up and say hello.

I have a few of the Blue, white and gold plates from the pattern, a favorite of mine.

CIao

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

C'est magnifique! That's just a lovely transformation. The chicken wire does look so much lighter. Did you paint it? And how can you go wrong with toile? Never!

Penny Sue said...

Beautiful Da'ling, simply beautiful... who knew changing one type of wire for another would make such a difference? It's so much softer looking. The other was nice, but when you compare the new stuff with the old, it just looks so much nicer. Job well done Miss Cindy. I'm proud of you. You have such a good eye and inclination toward these kinds of things.

Hugs,
Penny Sue

Lydia said...

Awesome idea on the fabric! I like the look of the chicken wire- but I'm allergic to dusting. Not really. Just like glass doors for practical reasons.

pogonip@meadowsweet cottage said...

The lighter look is charming. Who would think chicken wire could make such a difference. Your creativity is such an inspiration.

Dixie said...

Cindy... it is amazing what a little change can do! I'd have never thought about the chicken wire... but it certainly opens up the front so you can see all your treasures! I've been wanting to add a fabric back to the inside of my china cabinet but didn't know how... thanks for the info... maybe I'll give it a try.. .now I just have to decide on the fabric!

have a beautiful week! Dixie

Anonymous said...

Hello from Belgium.
Going from blog to blog, I'm still impressed by such a creativity !
I'll soon come back, just for my eyes. Jane

Anonymous said...

Rather nice site you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

Truly yours

Kristin Ketilsdottir said...

Cindy, you are so talented! hugs KristĂ­n K.

Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss said...

This was such a pretty piece of furniture to start with but this little change made it even prettier.

You also have such a knack for arranging your stuff! Your displays always look so beautiful. Geeez, you have no idea how badly I wish you were close by so you could give me a few lessons! :)

Gerry Sharp said...

Just Beautiful !!!

Where can one purchase chicken wire ? It is charming.

Cindy said...

Gerry, I got the chicken wire at Home Depot! Now I need to figure out what to do with all the left over stuff!

Tamra said...

Fabulous transformation!

What a great blue. Just found your blog via Joy/Savvy City Farmer. Love it. Thanks!

tamra

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Cindy; Wow what a huge difference... I love how it came out,, the fabric is just so soft and pretty,, really make's the white dishes stand out... love it love it.

Hugs;
Alaura

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Cindy, I am loving the new look...especially the toile. The fabric showcases your pretties even more.

chez sheri said...

GORGEOUS redo!!!

custom office furniture said...

The etching on glass looks very nice and I love the honey web or whatever that is called...there is transparency so that you could see things as well there is design.

My Shabby Streamside Studio said...

Hi Cindy, I'm such a big fan of yours, and I'd like to share a post on my blog about you and chicken wire china cabinets!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us.

Hugs,
Sandy Foster
http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-chicken-wire-china-cabinet.html

Joy said...

This is beautiful! The fabric makes the white dishes stand out more and you're right, you can see in better with the chicken wire on it. Great idea!

Gaia said...

I'm gonna do the same with my closet!
i hope it turn as beautiful as your!

Thanks for sharing!