Now move the visually heavier pieces to the bottom shelf, mid-weight looking ones to the middle and light weight feeling pieces to the top shelf.

Do not know what you mean by moving heavier pieces to bottom. Could you give me some examples.

So much nicer. Take down the bowl on top and replace the two itty bitty items on the buffet with the bowl.

The heavier stuff is the other tureen, the pitcher, the red glass thing, the lantern on the second shelf.

Also, the red glass thing on the bottom shelf and the lantern are not really china and probably do not belong in the china cabinet. Those you could eliminate.

If you do not want to get rid of things.....divide the things you have into thirds. Display one third the first 4 months, the second third the second 4 months and the last third the last 4 months. By the time you get done doing this, you will realize you don't need to display all of that stuff and you will be ready to pare it down!!!

Less is more. Removing all the stuff off the top has made a huge difference.

Lighting is not effective in this type china cabinet. Wood shelving blocks light. A great chandelier with some high quality crystals in front of this or near it is enough. Good job. Hard to pare down meaningful items.

You could install tape or strip lighting but it means drilling holes in the cabinet and possibly installing some extra pieces of wood to hide any hole + the strip lighting. May not be worth it, especially if you don’t want to alter the hutch in that way.

Looking beautiful!

Thanks!

You might consider painting or wallpapering the inside of the hutch. That would really highlight the pretty dishes.

What colors of wallpaper should I look at to put in the back of the hutch?

Pick a complementary color to what already exists in the room. You can test it out using painted poster boards. If the shelves can be removed it’s a fairly easy job. You can even use 1/4 inch material to line the inside so you won’t permanently alter the hutch. Change the wooden shelves to glass if you really want to add lighting. Try using small electronic flickering candles on a timer to add soft light.

I do not want to replace the wood inside of the hutch. I was thinking if I use wallpaper behind where the plates are it would add some color. What do you think? I just need some direction and what colors in the wallpaper I should be looking at.

Its looking MUCH better since you took all the stuff off the top and pared down the objects inside!! I would leave as is for now and just live with it for awhile. With the white/cream dishes inside, don’t think you need lights. Great job!

I tried some of those lights that you stick up in the hutch. They run on a timer or you can leave them on all the time you also can dim them. I kind a like a little hint of light in it.

Wow! I think you've got it!

Thanks! I am trying.

Thinking about adding some dollies or lace as in this pic.Better pic of dishes in hutch.

Sheila, NO!!! You have it looking beautiful. Add a pretty crystal chandelier in front to light it up. Do not add things back.

I am going to suggest one thing you might want to consider. I think the wooden grids on the glass are a little distracting. Having said that, in some cases they can very easily be removed. Remember I said in some cases, if this is something you might want to think about, if they come out easily. Sometimes they "snap" out. This would give a cleaner appearance for the items being displayed, with less clutter. I do think you have done a nice job with the way you have arranged things and clearing off the top, it is looking very pretty.

FYI If your shelves are wood then you can replace them with clear glass and install lights in the top of the hutch and run the electrical cord thru a drilled hole in the top of the hutch....my EA hutch has the cord for the lights coming out of the top.

Haha! Hey, some people like the cottage / shabby chic look, and Sheila‘s hutch really plays into that.

If you do add doilies, I wouldn’t run a long one all the way across like the pic shows, but add small square ones turned so the corner hangs off the edge. And maybe just a few of them.

Kinda sorta like this:

I tired to remove the grids, however they cannot be removed because the way they were built. Do they make glass shelves with indentions to hold plates, I would need that kind. Light up above is good idea if you have glass shelves. Also, where would I find such shelves?I put 2 lights in top of hutch for now and that works fine.

As for lighting, you have to go through the back of the piece at some point with a cord. No way around that, but it might be able to be small if you have a drill.

Sheila, my cabinet has glass shelves but the indentation is in the strip of wood that holds the glass shelf. Hope you can see in this pic.

My wood has 2 indentions for plates.Thinking about just leaving the wooden shelves and using lights in top of hutch.

Sheila, you did it! Looks great just the way it is. Leave it and enjoy.

The only thing I am considering is to use foam board covered with fabric in back of hutch. I watched a video from Martha Stewart who did that.I like the idea that it was removable and does not affect the wood.

Your dishes show up very nicely against the back wood of the hutch. It looks really nice, so I don't think the fabric backer boards are going to add much except work! They are pretty tricky to do right. But, you can try if you want. What fabric would you use?

Have not looked at fabric yet, just an idea. Thought it would bring in some more color.

The contrast of your white china pieces against the darker wood is what makes the china "shine". So keep that contrast. I don't think you should go shabby chic, this hutch is too refined for that. If you have to do something, perhaps some pretty linen napkins with interesting corners you could drape over the front edge would the all I would do. But frankly, I would do anything more. It is elegant and lovely just as is. Nice job!

(corrections: I would NOT do anything more) (the "front edge would BE all I would do.) Can't type! Sorry about that.

Flu,thank you for your post.Think I will just let it rest for now.

Good idea. Trust me, making those inserts is a royal --- you know what. but it is an option. I just think you already nailed it! :)

I've been following. Looks so lovely now.

Thank you Angel.

Flo, you talked about decorating with linens on the shelves, should they have decorative trim or flowers on them?Do you have any pics or examples that would help me . I don't want shabby chic with lots of linens just a hint.
Thanks

Shelia, your hutch is looking really lovely now! I echo those who suggest living with it for a while before thinking of doing anything else.

Thank you Sharon.

Which looks better green or blue glasses?Tall or short blue glasses also?

Good question. They both look nice. I would choose whichever one picks up the colour from your dishes.

This is a better pic of colors in dishes. Tall or short glasses?

I would use the blue and cluster them together instead of spreading out.

The taller or shorter blue?

Put things in there that are in regular use. Mirror the back wall.

Been following. Such a nice transformation! I like the light dishes against the dark wood.

Thanks!

Put the glasses in a cluster .Any suggestions?

I like this arrangement better.