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Wednesday, 24 September 2008 07:26 |
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A china display cabinet functions like a jewelry store: the sparkling glimpses of the treasures held inside pique the curiosity of the observer. Used to house personal collections, a good china cabinet does much more than simply store and showcase dishes; it creates a mood, provides a focal point of interest in a room, and most importantly, gives visitors a chance to get to know the owner through a study of her most valued possessions.
The finish line
The variety of designs and materials for china cabinets can be daunting. Hardwoods are the preferred material. Cabinets can be found in alder, cherry, pine, maple, oak, teak, walnut, mahogany, ash or any combination of these. Generally, the darker finishes are considered more traditional and the lighter colors more modern.
- Lighter colors work best in dark rooms, as the surface reflects light and keeps the cabinet from looking heavy or clunky.
- Conversely, rooms with a wealth of light should use a darker cabinet to anchor the space with rich, luxurious color.
- Cabinets that use more than one kind of wood combine the best of both worlds, but are harder to match to the overall color scheme of a room.
A seat of honor
The layout of a room should center on the china cabinet. It should be placed in an active position in a room, in a prominent spot. Because they are so large, china cabinets generally take up the better part of a wall, from floor to ceiling.
Corner china cabinets offer another solution. Taller and slimmer than a full-sized cabinet, the corner piece stands either at a diagonal or in the space between a doorway and a wall.
Now for the fun part…
- As important as it is to choose a good spot for your cabinet, it is even more critical to pay attention to the arrangement of the items inside it.
- Start with an empty cabinet. Analyze your collection and look for a focal point.
- Items can be arranged by color, by age, or in the case of very large collections, by theme.
- Space should be left around groupings of items, a kind of breathing room to let the eye rest in between courses.
- Taller pieces should be mixed with shorter pieces and lighter pieces contrasted with darker.
- A strong pattern in the display will create unity among the disparate elements in the collection.
- The final composition of the collection should make a strong impression and be pleasing to look at from a standing and seated position.
- Update the arrangement seasonally to take advantage of changing light conditions.
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