Sentimental China (not the county...lol)

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Sentimental China (not the county...lol)

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Started 2 years ago by zchristy
Latest reply from Abeline
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zchristy
Member

Yesterday, we buried my precious Grandmother. At the ripe age of 90, she went to heaven and while we miss her dearly, it thrills me that she isn't suffering any more.

Since I got home from the funeral, I have been thinking about the plates and cups that I had given to me - one plate from a wedding set given to my Grandparents as a wedding gift, a plate from a wedding set of my Great grandparents, a 40th anniversary plate from my Grandparents 40th anniversary just prior to my Grandpa's death, a plate belonging to my other Grandmother that always hung in her living room.

With all do respect (and I adore them all), they are sentimental, but not pretty. Right now they are in a cupboard in my kitchen piled neatly together. And I need a better storage solution than that.

I want to treat these things with dignity that they deserve, but they need not be front and centre in my house. And it isn't practical to have them in plate hangers on the wall - I have a 9 year old boy, and anyone whose had one, knows a bull in a china shop is a literal thing here. Cole has already broken plates hanging as decorations at my parents. lol

I live in a small 990 sq foot house, and between space and the money, a china cabinet isn't practical.

Are there any other ideas for displaying or honouring these that you have? I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sky
Member

I've seen plates hung around the wall in a dining room up high very near the ceiling or above the kitchen cabinets in that space between the top of the door and the ceiling.

I have 4 sons so really do understand!

Posted 2 years ago #
carmel
Member

I've been hanging onto my grandmother's beautiful china for over 20 years. It has a classic design that still looks good today. I've used it maybe once or twice. It takes up so much cupboard space, I’ve been considering letting it go. I have begun to think I will keep the small plates as special dessert plates and donate the rest.

Your space is so limited. If you don’t like the pieces, I do not feel it is a dishonor to let them go. Could you give them to another family member who would enjoy them? Or, perhaps consider keeping one item that has the most meaning to you or one piece that you might actually use - then donate the rest.

Posted 2 years ago #
zchristy
Member

No, I want to keep them, Carmel. I'm sorry if it was unclear, but I want them. They represent the dreams of my family and while not pretty, they are much loved.

I refuse to part with things simply because they take up space - what is left in my house has meaning and that's what home is.

Posted 2 years ago #
PJ Doland
Forum Admin

You could always put them in a box frame behind plexiglass and secure the whole thing very tightly to the wall.

Posted 2 years ago #
Lori Paximadis
Member

Similar to what Sky said, what about a plate rail high up on the wall in your dining area or kitchen?

Here are some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24069019@N00/2562968789/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolineseye/2890469246/

Or go crazy and put it in the bedroom or hallway or somewhere else. :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
akcorcoran
Member

I'm going to build on Lori's last idea! I'm from the South and we put china or interesting ceramics in all sorts of places, most often NOT the kitchen or dining room.

Create an interesting collection (think different size pieces in a collection - a platter, plate or two, salad or bread / butter dishes if you have them) - it can be symmetrical if you're that type of gal (I am) or random if you're not (my sister!)

In various homes along the way, we've hung them - along the top of a hallway, above a doorframe if you have high ceilings, on a foyer or hallways wall (particularly good if a hallway dead ends), at the top of the stairs if you got 'em, the powder room or guest bathroom, guest BR is good if you have one b/c it's not often used but shows your sentimental side. Believe it or not, we even have some in my daughter's bedrooms!

And, any bookshelf is fair game for them as well - but don't put them in a row or even more than one on the same shelf. Put some books here and one plate. Then, a stack of books (not vertical, horizontal) and a platter or even a cup / saucer. My mother has about 8 pieces of Majolica on her bookshelves, just scattered about and it looks fabulous.

And, on that, even if they aren't very pretty, mix them in with other ceramics or china or pieces you can hang or display and you can make them more attractive. Those can either be something you have - or go and get something new or better from a vintage store. Anything becomes attractive when mixed with the right accessories! (We mixed the china with little tin Cicely Mary Barker fairy plates in my daughter's BR - and it's quite lovely!)

Posted 2 years ago #
Another Deb
Member

My sympathies on your loss, zchristy. I understand your desire to keep the plates for sentimental reason, but not make them a decor item. My china collection has ended up in the regular places but also to feed the cat from (she is very spoiled) and as bases under pillar candles.

If it was me, I would use them as plates for special dishes, a jello mold,banana bread, cake plate, candy dish, etc. Make sure to pre-cut anything you serve from them so knives will not score any pattern or trim. The teacup I might keep on my dresser to hold the jewelery I plan to wear the next day or to hold a glass votive with a small tea light in it.

In some cabinets there is enough space to prop a plate upright behind the stack of regular plates, so you only see them when you open the cabinet. A small bit of clay holds the plate at the bottom so it does not slide.

Posted 2 years ago #
Lilliane P
Member

I go along with Another Deb. I've got china and crystal from both my Mother and Grandmother along with my Grandmother's favorite teapot. Since I love china and glass, they're not clutter. Berries look wonderful in champagne glasses, for example. It can become an adventure finding ways to celebrate and use them.

I do wonder if anyone will value them like I do when I'm gone, though. But it's best to just stay in today. I swear some afternoons when I have my cappuccino, I can feel the presence of my mother or grandmother as I sip from the cup.

Posted 2 years ago #
Abeline
Member

If you have space above your kitchen cabinets (I think this usually occurs with nine-foot ceilings) you can get those little tripod plate stands and set them up there. My parents do this with plates bought on vacations, and it looks really cute.

Posted 2 years ago #

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