About China Cabinets

China cabinets add an air of formality to a living room or dining area. They're also a way to store and display your best china, goblets and tea sets. Varying greatly in size, china cabinets can be small built-ins or huge wall-sized units with backlighting and several drawers for table linens and flatware. They can have wood or fabric backing, or have a mirrored back with a full-front glass display. China cabinets can be found in contemporary, country and traditional styles. Depending on the craftsmanship, brand and wood, china cabinets can be expensive. However, you can spend a few hundred dollars at an estate sale or flea market and get a nice piece of cabinetry for displaying your dishes.

History

It is said that the first china cabinets were built in England for Queen Mary in the late 17th century. Originally from Holland, the queen had become an ardent collector of china while living there. Dutch craftsmen, who'd come with her to England, created the first china cabinet for her, so she could display and store her exquisite collection of the Blue and White china pattern.

Contemporary Style

If you have modern décor, these will work perfectly. These are wonderful because they bring a touch of the traditional to the modern. Modern china cabinet materials might be the same as the traditional wood and glass, but the look will be entirely different. They are designed with clean, simple lines and in some cases, harshly rectangular. Some of the most modern are painted a glossy white with large glass panels that curve around the corners and steel framework. Some ultra modern pieces are stained in light colors and have abstract wood carvings on the doors.

French Country and Shabby Chic Style

French country and shabby chic cabinets are either unfinished or painted in light colors. Shabby chic is synonymous with signs of aging and faded color, especially pink. Many styles of shabby chic and French country china cabinets are available as new pieces or antiques. French country pieces tend to be quite large with many drawers and some carving or painted detail.

Chippendale Style

Genuine Chippendale china cabinets are antiques, as many were made of mahogany. Made by the English master carpenter and cabinetmaker, Thomas Chippendale, in the 1700s, these pieces are expensive, but are also true works of art. Age has only increased their beauty and value. However, Chippendale-style china cabinets are much less expensive and you can buy them at any quality furniture store. These are the most traditional looking of all china cabinets.

Mission Style

Mission-style china cabinets are a cross between the traditional and contemporary design concepts. Usually stained in a darker color, the mission-style china cabinets have a straight-forward design and clean lines. They frequently have paned window-style doors, crown moulding across the top, and a double set of drawers above the base.

Resources

• A Large Selection of China Cabinets