Decorating the Kitchen with Vintage Finds

I often notice what folks do (or don't do) with the space between their kitchen cupboards and the ceiling.  Do you?  The default decorating plan seems to be a couple silk philodendron plants in baskets.  In my kitchen, the cupboards extend all the way to the ceiling.  I'm glad I have the extra cupboard space, but I wouldn't mind having space to display some of my vintage finds.  I definitely wouldn't fill the space with silk philodendron plants, that's for sure.  With this in mind, I thought I'd share some ideas with you today that I would put into place if I had the opportunity to "merchandise" my own above-cabinet shelf.

I really love tole-painted trays.  If I had enough space, I'd definitely have several trays above my cabinets:

Old tin chocolate molds look great in a kitchen.  I would definitely have room for a grouping of them:

Vintage product tins such as coffee, tea, cracker, lard and cookie tins always add a lot to a vignette:  

 

 

I love yellow ware and green glazed yellow ware bowls.  They would fit perfectly above kitchen cupboards:

So that's what I'd do with what I have.  But I have more thoughts on the topic, and as I looked through my image gallery I've added a few more suggestions....

Do you collect something?  This might be a good place to display your collection, like these ironstone pitchers:

I think a collection of baby dishes would be charming displayed above the kitchen cabinets:

To add some color, vintage canister sets are affordable and easy to find:

Instead of a basket full of artificial plants, how about a basket tipped over on its side, with something interesting spilling from it, like rag balls, dried gourds, or these fabric covered faux gourds I made?  You can view the tutorial for making these HERE.

 

A grouping of kitchen or food-related toys would be fun:

This General Grocery by Wolverine Toy Company usually comes with miniature packages of food to fill the little shelves.  It's a colorful and cool display piece for a kitchen:

 

 

Don't forget framed art.  This print of pigs fits into kitchen decor, as far as I'm concerned:

 I hope these suggestions gave those of you that have trouble filling that empty space some ideas!

Mitzi

Comments

[Jennifer]

Love your examples. I have Milky the Wonder Cow on top of my fridge and old food packaging, antique baking molds and unusual tins above my cabinets. Oh, and a bee smoker too. I put up my chocolate molds and 1920s ceramic clock faces on the walls and next to the stairs is a triangular piece of wall with antique kitchen tools hanging on it.....then there are the little wooden kitchens from Italy that my mom and I found over the years. Yes, it is a big farm kitchen. I love it! I figure if I have to spend so much time in there I might as well make it fun and interesting.

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Jennifer,

I love your examples! I think you just gave readers some more great ideas. I wish we had pictures of your wonderful kitchen.....but I can almost visualize it.

Mitzi

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Love the chocolate molds, Mitzi! Especially the bunny ones. I'd love to find something that would be useable and not just for showing off.