Sunday, January 31, 2010

A collection of imperfection...


I picked this china cupboard up in Salt Lake on a trip with my daughters. We went to do a little shopping and treasure hunting on a weekend two years ago. I found it at a second hand furniture shop that was closing it's doors and couldn't leave it behind. Our problem was, that we had already filled the back of the truck with other treasures, and had to find another way to get it home. I don't know what made us think that one truck bed would even come close to being enough room for four die hard treasure hunters.  


It sits in the mudroom just off the kitchen and holds some of my chippy, mismatched, much loved china pieces and bits of silver. This past week I did a major deep clean of this room, as it is the room that so many of our visitors see first (because it is winter so many people don't go the extra steps to the front door(talking hubby's buddies here, because mine have mudrooms and know that they are not meant for company))


Usually this cupboard is crammed to the gills and not very photogenic, so I did a bit of editing this week.
A very hard thing for me to do.


No matter where I go, I can't seem to pass up old teacups, china plates, tureens, or anything with roses on it.


As you can certainly see here.


I love misfits. It doesn't matter that some are chipped, cracked, and crazed.


Doesn't matter at all.



If I look deep enough, I can find the beauty in anything.

Sometimes just looking at something in a different way or with a different attitude makes it even prettier than before.


To me, they are perfectly imperfect.


Sort of like my life.


And looking at this little cupboard in my mudroom never fails to make me smile.

I wonder if it has the same effect on Dale's friends as well?
Nope...you're right...probably not!
 I think my friends need to start coming to the back door.

****
I will be out of town helping a daughter move and will not be posting again till late in the week. I will be missing White Wednesday, but hope to post the following WW.

Hugs to you all!



83 comments:

Unknown said...

Prettiest mud room I've ever seen!!! Your china is gorgeous June!!

Have a great week ~

:) T

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

HI my cute friend. That is in your??????? It's beautiful, how did you end up getting it home. I've had a little thing for teacups for a very long time, but I've just started buying them. I have 3 and I've posted them. I see a white bowl, is that milk glass?

Your so wonderful to be helping you daughter move.

Big Hugs

cindy@stitches

Unknown said...

your blog has quickly become one of my favorites! thanks for sharing. i too have a mudroom as i live in an old colonial here in neew england...circa 1910. you've just inspired me to clean it up as well!have fun this week. will miss you on WW!
warm regards,
~*~*~*~michelle~*~*~*~

Julie Marie said...

Hello June, I love your mudroom and your beautiful cabinet full of treasures... I honestly think men DO notice things... sometimes some of Jack's friends will comment on my treasures and it amazes me! I too love anything with roses and can't pass them up either... I love how yours are all displayed! I am off to see what needs re~arranged in my mudroom now... love to you... xoxo Jule Marie PS How exciting you and your sisters are doing a book about your dad! I hope you do a post on it!

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

They are all beautiful pieces of the past... each one treasured for a time and then passed on to the next caretaker.
I can understand your delight in the ones with roses on them... I too suffer for the same malady.
Susan x

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi June! I love your cupboard..it is a wonderful piece and to think you got it at a bargain price...terrific! I really like the fact that you also love the imperfect pieces...we are all imperfectly perfect. It is a gift to see the beauty in the quirks and imperfections of things...and people...and life!
Take care,
Laura :)

Laura said...

Your cupboard is wonderful- so wonderful in fact I wouldn't mind having it.

One friend to another!

Have fun with your daughter!

Laura

Ann Marie said...

Oh June.. what a good day to visit.
I get stressed when my hubby brings in guests through the mud room as well... but I wouldn't stress so much if mine had all of those pretty's!

We are twins in the "can't pass up any china with roses on it! :)"

Chippy and worn is good. I am not perfect.. and I don't expect my "stuff" to be either! I think it gives it character.. and I know it has a good story! :)

Have a good week.
Thanks for your comments and sweet note that lifted my soul through such a dark week. XO

Anonymous said...

I too love odd pieces of china.... mostly with flowers in them.
I love your hutch .... What a beautiful mudroom!!
Have a Great Evening!
Love,
Marilyn

Unknown said...

I agree...there is so much beauty in the imperfect. Just gorgeous June...I love your collections and your beautiful photos too ;) Enjoy your time helping your daughter...moving is tough but it's so much better with help! ;)

Anonymous said...

What a BEAUTIFUL mud room Miss June, seems an improper category for it...ours has been known to have actual...um, mud...in it, and barely enough room to take off your shoes and coat as you bump into the washer/dryer then edge your way out, hoping no-one's coming the other way as it's definitely a one-person-at-a-time room. Love all your chippy rosy pretties, and especially love seeing all your dried roses and rose petals. I can tell you truly love your garden my friend, as you squeeze every last drop of enjoyment out of every last bloom...I knew there was a reason I liked you so much. Well that and the fact that you nested parentheses up there. You make me smile. Again. :)

Laura

Carolyn said...

Hi June,
Love your cabinet with all the pretty china.
I really think we should be sisters-we seem to love all the same things-wish we lived closer!
Enjoy your time with your daughter and thank you for such a sweet comment on my blog.
Take care,
Carolyn

Anonymous said...

I don't have a mudroom but if I did I'd love for it to be as dreamy as yours....chippy china and all!

Have a lovely week:)

Blondie's Journal said...

Oh, how I wish your cabinet were in my mud room!!! I love all your pretty dishes. My sister loved anything with roses on it. Somehow, it was never an overwhelming thing in her home, just little roses peeking out here and there. It is SO important to find the beauty in everything.

Have a delightful time with your daughter! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Lenore said...

I don't even have a mudroom...because we don't need one but would LOVE to have this cabinet almost anywhere in my home.
You did a lovely job on organizing and making it very interesting.
How did you get it home?

Vicki said...

Hello, June,
I would love to come in through your mud room! It is so pretty, and you know how I love those china pieces with roses. When I think of imperfection, I always think of that verse when Jesus said My strength is made perfect in weakness (that is not the quote probably word for word, but you get the meaning), and I know I am certainly still a work in progress!!! Have a fun time being with your daughter although I know moving can be very hard work and come back to us soon! Vicki

Pondside said...

I can see that I'm going to have to take another look at our back door/mudroom. It looks nothing at all like yours - very much a catch-all off the garage, with tool and boots, an extra fridge and all the miscellany of messy living. I wonder if the Great Dane would notice a little gentrification?

susan said...

June-I wish I had a place just like this...and of course, filled with such lovely treasures! I think back doors and mudrooms are for our best friends..the ones who know us best and love us any way! Love your new treasure! Good luck with the move!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi June,

Your mudroom is so beautiful and you had me wishing I could call for a visit.
The china is all so pretty and the dried roses, just finish off the beautiful picture.
I do love coming over to see all the beauty you have to share.
Thank you for making a lovely start to my week

Hugs
Carolyn

Diane said...

I think I could just stay in your mudroom and look at your beautiful imperfect treasures for a long time. Before I hardly started reading your post I'm wondering ...how did she get that home?
I hope you have a good time with your daughter, don't work too hard. Looking forward to when you get back, your blog is such a joy. Diane

oldgreymare said...

mudroom! In Vegas baby, there is no mud!

Blog buddy, I would prefer to come in through your mudroom, confirming our friendship. Have a wonderful safe trip. We'll chat when you return.

hugs,

Suzan

Hey, don't forget those extra 3 oz he weighed :-0

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

great cupboard and I love the mismatched look too...oh you so need to have your girlfriends come in that way. The guys, not so much!

GwendolynKay said...

June,
I love this post. Your chipped and broken pieces are beautiful! I have a few things that are imperfect too, but can't throw them out.... kind of reminds me of people, no one is perfect, we all have out imperfections and yet our loved ones still love us... and our Lord too. Thank God for that.
Blessings always!
Gwen

Robin Thomas said...

Hey sweet June. Of course I understand. It is so easy to find something perfect beautiful. Often I can't even look at something that is clearly beautiful. Do you know? I can see the beauty in something when my eye can go to the asymmetry. I have a few old scales and love them so much for some reason. Beauty in the used and utilitarian...Be safe. Enjoy your daughter. I'll use the mudroom door anytime...

joanne said...

I love "misfits" too! I see some beauties in that pretty cabinet, I may just have to come visiting sometime! Have a safe trip and take care sweetpea...jj

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

YEP..so much like my WHOLE HOUSE...just clutter most everwhere..and we don't mind it a bit...I find things under things and behind things that I forgot I owned..and it's like Christmas all over again as I rummage thru thingsm when I do try to find somehting for a STILL LIFE photo or a special project.
It sounds like we can't move in our house...but we can... and it is really not as bad as I make it sound...but to some "very particular" housekeepers..it would make them VERY nervous.


LOVE all your miss~matched stuff..I believe I have the mates to about half of your stuff on that darling cupboard.


Rose

http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

What a lovely china cupboard! The things you cannot pass up remind me so very much of what I like ..... chipped, loved, and with roses! :)
~Becca~

maría cecilia said...

Hola June, I´m leaving in few hours for my holidays but I couln´t miss this so beautiful post.... I love everything and each one of your soooooo lovely mismatched china!!!!!! and the cupboard is a great piece!!!! and your photos ooohh sooooo great!!!
I´ll miss you...
Many hugs,
Maria Cecilia

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi June, I would just love to come through your back door and I for sure would stay there a while. You have so many beautiful goodies in your cupboard. The pink butterdish was the first thing that had caught my eye but there is so much else I love, like the scale, the pot you keep the dried roses in, the cloche and everything with pink rose patterns.
To attract the guys you probably would have to decorate the cupboard with tools, fishing equipment, car and boat magazines ;-).
Hugs,
Julia

Jane said...

Good luck with helping your daughter move.
Your cupboard is beautiful and so are all of the objects you have filled it with. All mismatched but playing so well together!
Jane

Ticking and Toile said...

Hi June,
I feel the same way about all the beautiful mismatched china! It's all so beautiful & I can't seem to pass it up either.....It looks gorgeous! Can't believe it's a mudroom! What a nice mom helping her daughter move!! Have a good time!

Shellagh

My name is Riet said...

Hi dear June. I love mismatched china and especialy cups with roses and little flowers . That is a great mudroom and of course men don't notice the beauty.

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

That's exactly what I love !I could stay at the same place watching that cupboard and its treasures for a long time!
val

Chani said...

How beautiful, the dried rose petals in those wonderful glass jars! A perfectly decorated cupboard.
Love, Chani

Unknown said...

oh I love all your china! I love it when it has chips too.......well used and loved! I love all your dried roses......the perfect added touch!

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Hi June!!!!

I hope you and the girls have a safe and happy move. The "moving" part is not too fun but I can only imagine how much fun ya'll will have unpacking and decorating!!! yay!!!

I would love walking through the back door (mudroom) of your home. IF I were there, that's where I would enter always. And besides, I've never seen a mudroom so beautiful!!! Maybe we could just stop right there, sit and have tea in front of the cupboard??? I would love to stand there and admire all of the pretties on it. I would love something like that so that when I'm in the mood to change things around the house, I could go to the trusty old cupboard and pick right off it to place elsewhere!!!

You are so wise June...I'm always inspired when I come here. Now I'm going to have to put a cupboard on my (long) list to search for at the upcoming yard sales this spring ;)

Gonna miss you this week~
everything vintage

The Pink Birdhouse said...

I LOVE all your mis-matched misfits, each one has something special about it, its shape or the design. How pretty!!

Lots of working getting someone moved. my daughter just helped one of her best friends move to a new apt. and she was amazed at how much her girlfriend had collected over time in such a small place!

see you when you get back. you at least have a good reason why you will not be posting. I some how let the time slip away from me, busy at my sewing machine, and with the family etc. and soon a week went past and I had not been on blogger! hugs from here, Debby

Muggensteekjes said...

Hello dear friend,
ooh it looks so lovely and I wish I could just walk in at your backdoor and look at all your beautiful little treasures. Wish you a great week and all the best with helping your daughter move. See you soon,hugs Ingrid.

time worn interiors said...

I love it when things are mismatched! Great cupboard!
TOT

The French Bear said...

I just find your decorating such a joy! I love the pink roses and the chippy china, makes my heart melt!!!
Great piece of furniture, how lovely to see it as the first thing!
Have fun with your daughter!
Hugs,
Margaret B

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh June, your cupboard is beautiful!!!!! I love it being full and lush looking ~ but my motto is "more is more"!!! So many beautiful things grouped together. Enjoy being with your daughter sweetie....hugs and love, Dawn

Anne Lorys said...

It really is so beautiful!
And like you, I also use the term "perfectly imperfect". It just seems to fit my life, ya know? ;-)

XO,
Anne

KeKe said...

June, I don't balme you one bit! I would have had to find a way to bring it home too! Too good to pass up, for sure!

I love the roses and the petals in the glass jars...looks so pretty!! :)

Anonymous said...

I have some very fine matching china that I've owned for years, but in a heartbeat, I'd trade it for chippy, mismatched beauties like these. Just gorgeous - thank you for inviting us in, June!
Don't work too hard helping your daughter move & remember to take time to rest and enjoy your time together.
Hugs,
Zuzu

Betty Jo said...

June you've got incredible style! I love everything on your perfectly imperfect display. ♥

Rebecca Nelson said...

I would SOOOOOO have bought this cabinet. I love everything you do JunieGirl. I do. I do! I DO!

Love to you~Rebecca

The Victorian Parlor said...

June,

The cupboard is so pretty and all of the china is lovely. I also love anything with roses on it and I have purchased those 'imperfect' pieces just because they are pretty. If a tea cup can no longer be used for tea then it gets used for votive candles. It's nice to know that there are others out there that appreciate the beauty in imperfection:).

Blessings,

Kim

Karen Valentine said...

The cupboard is lovely June. I agree with you... What makes it special IS it's imperfection. I love the mismatched China filling it with love. It would make me smile every time I looked at it too. I have a pretty good sized China collection as well, but have put them all away for a while. I used to decorate with a lot more florals and colors years ago and haven't found a way to bring all the old pieces out into the rooms yet. So for right now they are tucked away in an old hope chest. Someday I may part with them, but for now they are like old friends that I visit occasionally. Have a great week sweetie.

Karen
my Desert Cottage

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Are mud rooms supposed to be that pretty? I collect old tea cups too. They are all mismatched like the vintage china we use every night. I wouldn't have it any other way:)Have fun with your daughter.
~Debra
Blog:Capers of the vintage vixens

Mammabellarte Rita Reade said...

All the pretty teacups! I need some to make charms....I will miss you at WW have a good time with your daughter and don't over do it. Ciao Rita mammabellarte

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi June! Hope all is going well with your daughter's move. I thought your beautiful home was only filled with creamy whites but I see you have a wonderful hutch here that is filled to the brim with such wonderful china pieces. I love mismatched items. My husband doesn't get that I want to buy secondhand stuff. It's so much fun to find things out of the ordinary, piece by piece. What fun is it if everything goes together? Certainly the pieces of our lives don't always fit togther perfectly. Have a great week. Blessings, Tammy

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

I love your collection of chippy friends all nestled in that cabinet, June. I shall miss your White Wednesday, but wish you and your daughter well on the big move.

Sandi said...

Pretty , pretty, pretty June! Your hutch looks as full as mine does!!
Hugs~

a Pocket Angel said...

June, I LOVE your Welsh cupboard.. It's just wonderful!
Blessings ~Mary~ :-}

Barbara said...

I remember mud rooms! Don't have one now, because one thing we don't have much of in Florida is mud. ;)
All your female guests should enter via your mud room. Although it would probably be really hard to get them to leave it! Clever idea to buy the cupboard and fill it with those gems, mismatched or not!

Natasha Burns said...

Your china is absolutely gorgeous! I love love love your collection, simply beautiful!

Ana said...

Hi June,
There is just so much eye candy on your beautiful little cupboard...I just can't imagine anyone passing it by without noticing all it's lovely treasures...but men will be men...Anyway, have fun helping your daughter move. We'll see you when you come back.

Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana

Dreamy Whites said...

You have such a beautiful collection. Hey I am originally from Montana. Love all your pictures.
Take Care,
Maria

~La Rustique Market~ said...

Very pretty displaying! Have a wonderful day~ Lisa

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Your rosy hued china is beautiful June and I love your old chippy scales. I clicked on your photos to see more detail and wow! that is a wonderful collection, atop a handsome dresser, in the prettiest of mud rooms! Coincidentally if we're thinking along the same lines we call them boot rooms over here! How funny!!

Have a wonderful week away. Jeanne x

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

Hi June,
Love all your treasures, and the cabinet is perfect to display them in.
Happy day!
xojanis

wendy said...

oh wow, OH WOW. I LOVE every bit of it. I too love mismatched dishes. If I like them and they appeal to me I BUY THEM.
and I think friends who can come in the 'back door' are the best friends of all.

CIELO said...

Lovely... I could be here for hours contemplating each teacup and plate...

Sending you hugs...

Cielo

Sandy said...

You are so lucky to have such a beautiful "mudroom". Mine features the clothes dryer, a shelf fill with cereal boxes and a cat pan. Yours looks like a palace compared to mine!

Sandy

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear June,
So sorry that I'm late with my comment. I have been rather busy this week.
How lovely for you to have a mud room with such beautiful things in it. I love your dresser (china cupboard) and everything on it. I bet that you remember where you got each and every piece, don't you June.... and I'm sure that it won't be long before you will be adding to your collection !!
Many thanks for your birthday wishes. It made my birthday extra special. XXXX

Jane, at Thepaperaffair said...

OMG, I have the same kind of collection - mine is in cabinets so you can't see it. All mix and match, so much fun for company. I have tied toile around each place setting when company comes, they love it, give it a try. If you stop by my blog, I blogged that but way back in May so check that time period. Love it, Blessings, Jane.

Jane, at Thepaperaffair said...

BTW, you truly live in a wonderful place. Jane

Lisa said...

June,
I love it all. And I'm with you, hence my blog name, I like an piece that has a story to tell. I used a few of my orphaned tea cups and made candles, posted them today. Have a wonderful time with your Daughter, you'll be missed. Lisa

Stacey said...

I LOVE your cupboard!! I remember you showing a picture of your table a while back and it was in the background. I always wondered what it looked like close up. You have decorated it so beautifully. I also got an idea from you on there. I have some rose petals and didn't know what to do with them. I love how you have them in a jar. I am going to have to copy! XOXO

Unknown said...

Oh, June, how lovely a piece & all that gorgeous china. You always create such serene beautiful settings in your home.

Have a safe trip & enjoyable time with your daughter.

Hugs, Marydon

Celestial Charms said...

What an absolutely beautiful cupboard. I've been searching for years for something just like it, but still no luck. All of your pretty dishes and cups make it all the more special.
Maureen

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

Dear June,
your mudroom is sooooooooo stunning! bet men notice all your lovelies too, they simply do not say it!
I love your cupboard gal, you sure made a bargain, and all your mitmatched misfits are my cup of tea - no pun meant lol!
You know how much i love china with floral decor and your pieces are stunning. Wish i were there as i would spend hours in deep silence simply staring at them as they are ALL soooo beaautiful.
My dear friend, I'm writing my comment today also to let you know that my blog has been hacked into and as far as i ca tell from my own experience and from other blog friends, my blog is not letting visitors in as it is re-directed right to unknown blogs. Right now I do not know how to solve this problem so it might be a while before I'm actually able to post and /or receive comments. Until then, if you know of someone who has experienced the same problem with blogspot (cannot find anything on the internet) please e-mail me at ritapitoni@hotmail.com.
Thank you so much and enjoy your time with your daughter!
hugs
rita

Debra@CommonGround said...

June, I thought for sure I had left you a comment here, Maybe I'm losing my marbles. I love the mudroom cupboard and all your gorgeouse pink rose china, Hope all the fellas appreciate your beautiful things and fabulous good taste! LOL!
Now, would you come and give mine a redo? yuk.
Debra

Andrea said...

Your cupboard is so very pretty and I love your dishes. I am creating a collection of odds and ends, dishes, cups, platters, etc. and it's so much fun. Will be glad for winter to be over, so that I can get out and thrift shop! hugs

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

Wow...everything looks amazingly lovely...you have such a flare for decorating...every little detail is perfect in everyway. Happy weekend.

BellaRosa said...

June amor, I can't believe I missed this gorgeous post! See what I meant in my email :) You have some beautiful china...I have collected pieces since I was 14 and have NEVER been able to get rid of any...although I always say I will when I find a new piece :) I loved seeing things that I have in my home in your own beautiful pictures...makes me think I have some taste now :) ha...don't laugh :) I question myself all the time lol Besos, Rose

ps...I am glad you bought that piece home, it is wonderful and looks fabulous with all your beautiful treasures! and I would personally rather come thru your mudroom if it meant I got to see all these beauties :)

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Hi Junie.........yep, that's exactly what I mean.........even your overflow shelving is stunning! Mine is all just piled in there............eeeee gads! Love yours....as usual.

Huggies,
S

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Hi June! This is such a lovely, friendly vignette! Like you, I love the one and lonelies from yard sales, flea markets and thrift shops!! A few of my own cupboards look similar to yours but mine are behind closed doors because they are not near as pretty nor as organized!! I too have a very hard time editing my collection of "charming imperfections" as I like to call them!! So happy to know I am not alone in this passion. :)
Warmly,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. I loved your roses post!! Oh, and those hydrangeas dried beautifully!! Mine always turn dark for some reason.

Peonies & Magnolias said...

Your collection of imperfection is perfectly beautiful. I love your mud room, we should all be so lucky to have one as beautiful.

Sandy

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