new uses for antique display cases

In my search for an armoire for our master bedroom, I have come across some really cool antique display cases. However, being that these pieces are generally quite large - I was unsure of how one could really incorporate them into a more modern space without them looking overly cluttered or just out of scale. Then, I saw this amazing kitchen in Lauren Liess' new book, Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating, in which she had repurposed an old glass front bookcase as upper cabinets. Everything else in the space was crisp and new making the antique cabinet a beautiful accent element that defined the room. Unfortunately, images of this particular kitchen are not yet available online. So I did a little digging and found some other really great examples of how one could use antique bookshelves, curios, cupboards etc. in a fresh and current way. 

I have long admired this image that uses old locker doors for a glassware pantry. I like how the doors are part of a built in unit making them really stand out against the white framing.

via Country Living

I could see achieving a similar look and one that is much like the kitchen Lauren Liess designed by using this sort of antique bookshelf. You could just use the doors or hang the whole unit as an upper cabinet. 

St. Louis Craiglist listing for $695

This Drexel Heritage piece could also be used in a similar way although I would probably re-stain it as the color looks a little off to me.

St. Louis Craigslist Listing for $400

If space allows, using a big display case can make a dramatic impact especially if you stock it with beautiful and useful kitchen items like the examples below.

via Habitually Chic

design by SR Gambrel

With something so large, I think you would have to look for old commercial or retail pieces as the ones pictured above seem beyond residential scale to me.

For smaller antiques cases, check out these inspiring spaces.

via Elle Decor

source unknown

Ranging from rustic to more refined, these current Craigslist listing could be beautifully integrated into a new kitchen for a similar look.

St. Louis Craigslist listing for $168

St. Louis Craigslist Listing for $375

St. Louis Craigslist Listing for $1295

For posts about my finds and searching Craigslist click here, for general kitchen inspiration check out this early kitchen post or to learn more about the design work of Lauren Liess click here. 

ikea kitchens

IKEA is coming to Saint Louis this fall and I am pretty pumped. I make it a point to shop at the mega store while in Chicago or back in Detroit but to have one just 15 minutes away is sort of a game changer. In particular, I am excited about exploring IKEA's bath and kitchen products. Without a local store, its pretty difficult (although not impossible) to do an IKEA kitchen. As such, I had never really looked into how it worked or what they offered. Like all kitchens or spaces that require customization, a good amount of planning is required. And seeing that I am a researcher by nature, consider this post phase 1 of investigation - the look around. 

Beginning with cabinets, I am most curious about the Hittarp series.

Its old fashioned for sure but I think mixed with some simple and more modern elements, it would look amazing. The Bodbyn is a more traditional style although the fact that it comes in gray makes it more interesting.

The Laxarby is a classic shaker which you can never go wrong with. I like the idea of this style in black.

I have always heard really good things about the construction of the IKEA cabinet boxes. And while my first choice would be to do door and drawer fronts from Semi-Handmade (see this post), I think you could make their stocked fronts look great as well. Check out this beautiful Ikea + Semi-Handmade kitchen of Sarah Sherman Samuel. 

via Smitten Studio

IKEA's countertop options are not readily available for online viewing but judging by the pictures it looks like they have some good options. Although countertops would most likely be an area where I would splurge and opt for a granite, soapstone, marble or quartzite.  

In perusing, I was perhaps most pleasantly surprised to find that Ikea has some great and super inexpensive faucets and sinks. 

I am thinking one of these could work really well in our new mud room.

The key to an Ikea kitchen is to mix it with other elements. If everything is from IKEA, your space no matter how well organized and designed, will look like its from the IKEA catalogue. Below are some impressive IKEA based kitchens that really do a good job with mixing.

via IKEA Share Space design by Veronica Martin Design Studio

For me, this contemporary kitchen is set apart because of the mix of the wood doors with the sleek white. That, and of course, the beautiful slab marble backsplash...

This kitchen is riding pretty close to the all IKEA look but still super impressive (via Elements of Style).

via Elements of Style home of Acre Creative

The above white kitchen does a nice job of blending the old and the new - the IKEA and non IKEA. 

via REMODELISTA 

Saving the best for last, I love the mix in this kitchen. The stainless steel IKEA cabinetry looks super high end with the brass bin pulls. And paired with all the other unexpected elements, you would never know this is an IKEA kitchen. 

marble & iron tables

Recently, I discovered some amazing marble and cast iron cafe tables on Craigslist (searching by material - see this post). I have yet to contact the seller as I am not exactly sure where I would put them. But since I have been thinking about them for quite a few days and seeing as they are such classic pieces I think I might have to pursue purchasing. This type of table sometimes referred to as French bistro, cafe or pastry tables can be found in all shapes and sizes both old and new. Crate & Barrel as well as Williams-Sonoma Home sell several variations on this timeless design but if you can find vintage I would choose old over new any day. Marble and iron are both incredibly durable and long lasting materials which makes this type of table great for indoors or out, light or heavy use and transitional in style to work in all sorts of rooms. 

from top left - source unknown - design by Nam Dang Mitchell via House & Home - La Coupole Iron Bistro Table with Marble Top by Williams-Sonoma Home - design by Nate Berkus via The Kitchn - via Homestead Seattle - French Kitchen Bistro Table by Crate & Barrel - via Desire To Inspire - source unknown