When my decorating friend The Nester put out this cry on her blog:
Teach me oh wise decoratory friends, show me the folly of my naked top of cabinet ways. How do you decorate above your cabinets?
I jumped in and said white dishes and platters! Because they’re classy and handy!
Also, a girl can never have too many white dishes!
We were on a tight budget when we remodeled our kitchen a while back. So when Home Depot asked if we wanted our cabinets to the ceiling, or with space above, we had to save every penny and went with a “space.”
I really didn’t have a “plan” for the space until I got the actual cabinets put in, and then I knew. It was perfect for my white platters and bowls.
When my sisters and I cooked this meal, I reached for a few platters and bowls.
And recently I added some fresh daffodils from the yard!
So what to do with the space above the cabinets? Use white dishes and platters for a classy look and for simple, handy efficiency!
If you have the space between the cabinets and the ceiling or soffit, what do you fill it with?
(Speaking of springy flowers, don’t forget to ENTER the Kelly Anderson Art GIVEAWAY- winner will be announced on Monday! This beautiful print is in my living room and I’m sad I have to give it away!)
I’m also happy to announce, and honored, that Reluctant Entertainer made the Top 100 2009 Internet Cafe Devotions Blessed Aroma Awards!
Thank you RE readers for your support.
Blessed Aroma showcases favorite blogs that have encouraged with written words and examples of faith in 2008. The list consists of some of the most encouraging and inspiring blogs with 10 categories, and listed below are 10 blogs that made “The Classics” (along with RE!)
What are The Classics?
Upon reviewing the nominations, several blogs received many nominations in several different categories. It was decided these favorites needed their own category. In no particular order, the most nominations were:
Muthering Heights
Lysa TerKeurst
Money Saving Mom
Like a Warm Cup of Coffee
A Familiar Path
The Bowyers
Big Mama
Other Such Happenings
Heart of a Pastor’s Wife
Reluctant Entertainer
If you have the time, head over and check out the entire list of 100 blogs. You will be uplifted and inspired!
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
Lots of bowls, cast iron ware, country knick knacks, and the like. Then I put a strand of white Christmas lights woven all around them, and at night I can dim them. Pretty, so pretty, to look at. Wish I could add a picture for you!
.-= Mari Larkin´s last blog ..A Smile is just a Frown turned upside down! =-.
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I have always been jealous of people with space above their cabinets, for this very reason. That was until I did this to my wall space above my cabinets. I thought it came out really cute. Maybe it will inspire someone who is in the same boat as me. Here’s the link http://homesteadersheart.blogspot.com/2009/10/im-giving-myself-deadline.html
Hugs
Kim
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Friday Funnies! Nobody Loves Me! =-.
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That looks really fresh and springy! I only use white platters and bowls. Maybe I will try this!!! Thanks for the ideas!
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I like it because it’s uniform but still has variety – simple and still interesting. Very pretty!
Unfortunately, I don’t have any space above my cabinets. But I’m okay with that for now – our kitchen isn’t exactly the prettiest place to begin with, it could use an overhaul
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Cover It: Our New Duvet! =-.
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I have mine filled with vintage teapots and old Betty Crocker cookbooks. The cookbooks are from the 50′s & 60′s and have the best covers. I love them!
.-= Janice´s last blog ..Non Trans Fat Banana Muffins =-.
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I was just thinking about this this morning! In my old house I placed my cake pedestal collection all along the top, but now they have they’re own glass cabinet, so I’m still thinking. Thanks for the ideas!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Name That "Thing" =-.
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Right now I don’t have anything. In the past I’ve had bowls, greenery and lights. Our new cabinets have a deep inset (not sure if that’s the right word…things sit lower than the cabinet, so I need to find something with height. My aunt puts her Christmas village houses above hers with Christmas lights and then adjusts the greenery to fit the season.
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I love white dishes. They make food presentation so much fun. Unfortunately, storage is always an issue for me.
.-= CJ´s last blog ..Seuss Extravaganza: Cat in the Hat Pin =-.
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Your white dishes look great…..Here’s what I finally came up with for mine, after we redid our kitchen after Hurricane Ike….I really do like it.
http://southernlivingatitsbest.blogspot.com/2008/11/peek-at-top-of-cabinets.html
Hope you are enjoying your new kitchen, Sandy!
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Friday fives………. =-.
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Sandy your kitchen is amazing! Love the white dishes and your cabinets are beautiful. ~Lovely!
Thank you for your kind visit today. Come back by anytime sweet friend. You’re always welcome!
~Blessings to you and yours. ~Melissa
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Love that space and those white serving pieces. At the condo I had that space above the cabinets. I don’t have that here in Washington.
.-= ellen b´s last blog ..FFF ~ The Kind That Grow On You… =-.
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We use white dishes too! It’s classic and easy. Our white dishes are actually a mish-mash of dishes that I spray painted white! I figured they were just up getting dusty anyway-might as well make them look pretty!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..Right Now…… =-.
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I love all your white serving pieces! They do indeed look classy up there–and since they’re things you actually use, I imagine they don’t end up being dust magnets! Well done.
And congrats on the award. I’ve never heard of this organization–think I’ll head over there and take a look!
.-= Richella´s last blog ..English teacher on trial =-.
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So pretty Sandy! Just got my cabinets last night and we will be doing the install in the next few weeks. I am pretty sure that I will not have any space above my cabinets (if I measured correctly), but I am with you. White dishes are so classy and timeless. Congrats on the top 100 girl!
.-= Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity´s last blog ..Surprise!! =-.
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Congrats on the top 100……and it is great to meet you too!!! I always love being introduced to new blogs!!!
I have dishes above my cabinets too…however they are full of COLOR!! I love color and my dishes have almost every color in them!!! Yours look great.
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This is what should go on top of cabinets! I am not a big fan of the silk greenery — all I can think of with those are “grease catchers”!
I love the simplicity (and the usefulness) of your cabinet tops!
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I’ve got a little white platter collection going, too! They are SO handy and versatile…plus, they’re just pretty. : )
.-= the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last blog ..PhotoFANatic Friday: Lens Love =-.
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Big black words… FAITH, PRAY, HOME on each section of cabinets with black framed clock on top of corner cabinets and stored ‘pretty’ canned jars, mostly quarts of peaches and jams in various heights.
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Hi Sandy great to meet you. Your blog=lovely+fabulous!
thanks for visiting me!
xxx
Kit
.-= Kit´s last blog ..Jolie Inspiration: Tante Lucile’s Birthday Tulips =-.
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I don’t have the space above my cupboards, but do like the idea of white dishes. I may just have to start collecting a few myself.
By the way, HUGE congrats on the top 100. I am not the least bit surprised… You are definitely deserving!
.-= Donnetta´s last blog ..Humbled: Thoughts on Joy =-.
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I love your white dishes…I think I may have to make a purchase!
sandy toe
.-= Sandy Toes´s last blog ..it feeling {more} like Spring =-.
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Congratulations on the award!
And I love white dishes on top of cabinets. It is so pretty and so handy!
Blessings!
.-= Traci´s last blog ..Bed has been painted! =-.
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I’ve got some antique dishes displayed. They look nice, but my, oh, my – I absolutely HATE the chore of dusting up there! If I ever have a choice in cabinetry, I’d have mine go all the way to the ceiling.
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no space above my cabinets. I have those icky soffits.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
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Love all the white dishes and platters! And love that you made the classics. That you are girl and what amazing company you are in too! You are a blessing to so many!! Including me!!
xo
.-= melissa @ the inspired room´s last blog ..Inspired By Life: Finding Your Style =-.
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Hey, Sandy! Congrats to YOU too for being in the Classics category, that is great. I’m so thrilled to be on the list myself, this is the first time I’ve won anything like this, so I’m honored.
I too love white dishes & have a few white soup tureens on top of my cabinets, along with a few other pretty vignettes. I’m one who does like to decorate the top of the cabinets, but I do have some breathing room too, it’s not completely lined across.
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Love the white plates! Always clean and refreshing!
Dee Dee
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So proud of you, girl for being in the top 100! Never doubted you for a min.
And I’m in love with white dishes. My favs were discontinued – doesn’t that always happen? – so I’m on the look out for new ones to love.
.-= darcy´s last blog ..Photographers! I interrupt this blog… =-.
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Sandy Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Thanks Darc!
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I agree with you that a girl can never have too many white dishes…love what you have done with your empty spaces. Joni
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Your white dishes and platters do look pretty, and they also brighten up that space above the cabinets. My cabinets go to the ceiling, so I don’t have that extra decorating space in my kitchen. This is my first visit to your blog, and I get to congratulate you on being in the top 10 of such a wonderful list! How wonderful to get that kind of recognition! laurie
.-= Laurie´s last blog ..FROM THRIFTY TO FANCY SMANCY =-.
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I’m wondering if you have any tips to keep dust to a minimum when storing those types of items on top of your cabinets?
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No tips on the dust. I just try to use them a lot – and wash out before using, of course
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Dawn S Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I was thinking of some dust-prevention ideas and wonder if pulling plastic wrap tightly over the tops where you can’t see it would help? Not sure if that’s something that would be visible from the floor?
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Sandy Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I personally don’t mind just scrubbing it out quickly, but that is a fabulous idea Dawn!
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I was looking at my cabinets yesterday and realized I really can’t put anything on top of my cabinets. While they don’t go all the way to the top, we added a soffit that goes higher than the top of the cabinet, thus it would be hard to see anything up there! I may still try and get creative, but we’ll see.
.-= Kirstin´s last blog ..Works for Me Wednesday: When life hands you lemons, make: Cake Balls =-.
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Wow…I LOVE that look and I use lots of white ceramic platters too! Where can I find the BIGGEST, LARGEST, HUGEST white platters? We’ve got a wedding reception to do! PLEASE HELP!
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Following you on Twitter! Love the new aprons!!
@ConnieFarish
imquiltcrazy at yahoo dot com
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Following you on Facebook. Love your site. and the cute aprons!
imquiltcrazy at yahoo dot com
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I’m just discovering your blog today, over a year after you posted this, but I think it’s brilliant. I disliked all the dust covering baskets and collections on top of our shelves, so in our new home, we had the cabinets built to the ceiling. Serving dishes are such a great idea because 1. they are so much easier to clean than a wicker basket 2. will actually get pulled down and used, and therefore cleaned more often and 3. are difficult to store in other places.
Really great tip!
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