There is a common belief that a china cabinet should be used to store special china. Well….okay… it can. But it really does not have to!! We don’t own any fine china {what does that say about me?}, but we own a china cabinet.
We bought our China cabinet 10 years ago because I thought it was a must in any dining room. My need and design taste has changed since then. I would rather have a sideboard today because I could use that extra surface while serving dinner for company.
Nevertheless, I do love our china cabinet! The bottom cabinets, and drawers provide much-needed hidden storage space. The glass doors on the top part enclose a mirrored back, glass shelving, and accent lighting. A perfect space to show off my style and bring character to our dinning room.
To create an inspiring display, I followed these tips for arranging tabletop accessories to style the china cabinet as an open bookshelf. I mixed fine crystals with framed art, and accessories that reflect my personality. Take a look…..
I am proud of our china cabinet display. I especially love the Islamic decal on the back mirror that instantly reflects my Islamic style of decorating.
So, who says a china cabinet should display china? Not me! 🙂
How about you? Do you have a china cabinet? What do you store in it?
Thanks Reem! 🙂
Hey Lama, I personally like that your china cabinet isn’t filled with boring china, and that it interprets you, your family, and your background. To each his own, eh? Keep up your blog because I enjoy it!
Reem 🙂
I am sorry that my China Cabinet display was not to your liking. It is clear that we differ on our interpretation of Islamic design. I tend to be attracted to the simple side of Islamic design because that is how it all began. While I am fascinated by the Islamic design in Alhambra, I believe that the extravagance in design contradicts with the simplicity of the religion that it is supposed to represent. I choose to decorate my home in a way that reflects ME; a simple Muslim Arab American. Thanks Glenn for visiting my blog, and sharing your thoughts. Please come again. ☺
The only thing that look nice and appropiate is the Islamic decal plate background.
The rest is just plain gaudi.
Fussy and of poor taste.
True Islamic architecture reflects honesty, truthfulness, using rich ornamentation within context. Just look at those palaces in Alhambra, Spain or ancient mosques in Egypt, Tunisia and Damascus.
Your brick-a-brack needs to be displayed tastefully around the house, stored in a locked cabinet or sold.
The only appropiate things that would look unpretentious behind those glass doors other than the Islamic decals would be leather bound antique books and painted calligraphic plates. Or, real chinas, of course.
Sorry guys. It doesn’t work.