Hello, friend! I've been eager to share a little adventure with you.
You know how some projects start with a problem and end with something you love even more than you imagined? That's exactly what happened when trying to solve our dry goods storage situation. Today I'm sharing how an antique pie safe cabinet became our dry goods pantry... and why the hunt was worth every bit of patience it required.
The Challenge of Storage in a New Home
When we moved into our new home in the country, it quickly became evident that the kitchen didn't have the same amount of storage as the butler's pantry in our previous home in the city. In this kitchen, our entire "pantry" consisted of one deep cabinet, not the best for function... As a result, we have our dry goods, canned goods, and appliances stored in three different places in the house. One of those places is the mudroom/laundry room, which has no heating/cooling (does this sound familiar?). Matt & I both cook, so we found ourselves running between three different spots in the house to gather ingredients for dinner. Dry goods here, spices there, baking supplies somewhere else. There isn't enough space in this kitchen for custom cabinetry, nor do we have the budget for that. It was time to get creative!
Hunting a Lovely & Functional Cabinet
A few years ago, I'd been struck by the beauty and functionality of the antique pie safe in Lisa Bass's kitchen (from the YouTube channel Farmhouse on Boone) and had set about to find one of my own. My initial intention (in our old house) was to use it for quilting fabric storage. I began hunting on Marketplace and in antique shops.
Here's one of the first pie safes to catch my eye at an antique shop. It had the curvy tops on the glass doors, the curved inset panels on the lower doors, and drawers - all things I was looking for. The price was in line with what I was seeing elsewhere, but I really wanted a cabinet up on feet so it would be easy to clean under. So I kept looking.
Obviously, this isn't a pie safe, and it was pricey, but it was beautiful!
One Thursday afternoon, I found the perfect pie safe that ticked all my boxes at my favorite antique shop. Curvy glass door tops? Check. Curved inset panels on the lower doors? Check. Drawers? I really only wanted two drawers. Check. Plus, this one was sturdy, had a good paint job inside, and was a darker finish, which I prefer. Now to get Matt and his truck!
Matt & I returned that Saturday (with his truck), but alas, the cabinet had sold. Not too surprising since it really was a lovely piece... The search continued. I began seriously scouring antique shops & Marketplace. A few months later... Another great candidate popped up on Marketplace, and we drove out to get it.
It was just what I was looking for. In the lisintg photos the finish appeared a little yellow/orange for my taste, but I was willing to tackle a re-stain job. In person, the finish was just fine! The photos hadn't shown the best part at all. This cabinet had the most gorgeous antique, original wavy glass, with ripples like water that catch light in the prettiest way. The sellers were the nicest family, and the cabinet was very fairly priced. On the drive home a piece of the lower door backing blew loose, but it was a simple fix.
We were still living in our previous home when I found this cabinet, so here you see it in our old pantry area. Even though the pie safe wasn't used for fabric storage, I'm so thankful now to have this piece as an option! As I mentioned, functionality was one of the features that attracted me to this piece, and I thought it would be perfect for creating a dry goods storage cabinet. The pie safe fit perfectly into the corner of our new dining room as if it had been there all the time. Now, to fill it with bulk dry goods. How luxurious to have everything in one place!
There are some foods that we eat a lot of, and instead of buying them often, we've switched to storing those items in bulk. This saves time and reduces decisions. When we first started doing this, we used the quart-sized Mason jars, but now we use the half-gallon jars. Practically, the clear glass jars show instant inventory, plus they are beautiful!
"Resourcefulness turns ordinary possessions into extraordinary solutions."
Besides storing some dry goods in jars, thrifted baskets have also been employed to hold random small items and onions. The baskets are practical, and they add a texture that is organic and homey. Of course, a touch of blue and white is always welcome, and I've added a pair of antique flow blue plates that were a gift from my Dad. They've made a lovely backdrop to the practical food storage. There is such a comforting, old world beauty to the way this project turned out. Every time I open those doors to grab oats or rice, I feel a little spark of joy.
On top of the cabinet, I've added a little thrifted lamp, and my three antique blue transferware pitchers/tea pots. These not only echo the blue and white inside the cabinet, but they also tie in with the blue transferware plate wall in the kitchen.
Satisfaction through Resourcefulness & Creativity
There's something deeply satisfying about solving a problem creatively. Not simply accepting a situation as "well, that's just the way it is," or throwing money at custom solutions, but taking the time to find a creative, affordable solution. Where there's a will, there's a way! I'm so happy we were able to use something we already had that adds character to our home and works hard every day!
Encouraging Your Own DIY Solutions
If you're struggling with storage in your own home, I'd encourage you to think outside the box. Before you shop, walk through your home. Look at what you already own. Could a dresser become linen storage? Could a bookshelf become a pantry? Could a cabinet meant for one purpose serve another? When searching Marketplace, try unexpected search terms. "Old cabinet," "bookshelf," "hutch," "cupboard"... sellers often don't know exactly what they have, so casting a wide net may just yield the results you're hoping for. Most importantly... be patient and have an abundance mindset. The right piece is out there. Sometimes it just takes a little while to find it.
I'd love to hear about your own creative storage solutions. Have you found a thrifted/antique piece that solved a problem in your home? Have you repurposed something in a way that surprised you? Share your successes... I love hearing how you're making your homes work. Until next time, take care.
Warmly,
Rachel
