I would hang the plates on the wall above the cabinet so they are visible and make plinths for the rest of the stuff, like this pottery exhibit.

http://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.54617.1273629069!/image/1789238762.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_804/1789238762.jpg

Paint the plinths to match wall or cabinet color, or make them go with the object they hold.

I think that I would try groups of things together, where there is a bit of overlap (layered look) and leave some space free between the groupings. I think this would give more definition to the jumble of things.

As Annie suggested you could put boards up there. If you want different heights you could go to Michael's and get plain white boxes and flip them over. You could also use rigid baskets flipped over. Such a pretty kitchen!

Sorry, but I have to repeat others: too much, too evenly distributed (laterally and vertically), and too unrelated. Now the good perspective: all interesting and resolvable! As Annie suggested, use scrap 2x4s to elevate above the cabinet edges. Place the 2x4s on top of books and glue crown/decorative molding (or picture framing - and get the framer to cut it) around the 2x4s to create acceptably decorative edges and stain or paint the wood. I think all the different decor items can live comfortably together in groupings with judicious editing for "flow". Leave some space between groupings. Please do NOT consider selling or getting rid of any of it (unless you have things you do not like). Rotate items in and out when you (inevitably) get up there later to clean. Have fun!

I agree with the advice you've gotten to use the larger pieces and group things. Is it possible to stack some? Could you turn the lid of the bread box over and put the cake tin on top of it, for example?

I wasn't around GW Kitchen forum for the discussion, but I have seen a few references to the "towel pig" thread. I'm wondering if we are now going to have a towel donkey stampede?

For some reason, the Houzz link icon is missing, so I can't link directly, but here is the Towel Pig thread...hoping this works:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2668776/towel-pig

"Place the 2x4s on top of books and glue crown/decorative molding (or
picture framing - and get the framer to cut it) around the 2x4s to
create acceptably decorative edges and stain or paint the wood."

LOL ... that would be reason enough for me to reconsider putting ANYTHING on top of the cabinets!

Hey Jen, thanks for the nudge. You got me thinking about how long it's been since I've dusted the top of a couple armoires and the kitchen hutch. Stepping up on the stool today I realized too long!

I used scrap 2x4's to elevate vases and pottery pieces in the top of my glass cabinets.

What I see when I look at the top of your cabinets is that everything is the same height. You don't have anything that is ceiling height. I think I would purge as you are going to do but also work on a variety of heights in your pieces. And also set some at the front of the cabinets and may be, if you have other pieces around your house, some more substantial pieces at the back.

There is no 3-D definition in how you've laid everything out. Does that make sense?

I have to the ceiling cabinets so I can't use that space for display. My sister who could easily start her own shop using inventory from her homeuses above the cabinet for display. I wish I had a picture- - but the space is LOADED and although it isn't my style it makes her kitchen feel so warm and welcoming. She uses anything she finds that she loves-some items from our parents home (old metal ricer, moms iron trivets, old cannisters, bread box etc) plus "finds" from thrift stores. She has flowblue, pottery, glass, tin and everything else you can think of. I could spend an hour each time I visit just looking at all the interesting things. I think you should decorate to make your space yours and just enjoy. Don't worry about right or wrong just enjoy!

The towel pig?!?! Hahahahahaha! "This damn pig deserves his own dedicated thread." Love it. LOVE! IT! :-D

OK, so way too much stuff that's all at the same height (that is, "low down"), non-cohesive, and cluttery. I definitely won't sell or otherwise dispose of any of the items I have up there now. I've already weeded out the things that weren't important to me before the move, and this stuff is all staying - but I do think I need to find another place for most of it. Perhaps waiting until our built-ins are completed in our upstairs library and displaying the Indian pottery there instead of in the kitchen. I'm definitely removing most of these items when I get home this evening, and reconsidering it all. I don't really want to go out and purchase new things just to display here though, so maybe using only a very few things and leaving most of the space bare is the way to go for now?

I know you said you don't want to buy new stuff and my situation is a little different than yours. However, both my mom and my MIL downsized last year and I didn't need/want any of their furniture or stuff just for the sake of taking stuff. They did each have 4-5 accessory items that meant something to them and to me. When I got everything on the dining room trying to create vignettes, I found that there really wasn't a cohesive look and that I didn't have the right or enough items in a colour or look to pull things together.

I went to a couple of specialty consignment stores (MCM - some of their stuff was from the 50's) and antique stores (my mom had a water jug from the late 1800's that was my GGM) and for not much money I picked up 4 items which I really liked that allowed me to pull things together so that I could create vignettes for a buffet, on top of a hutch, on the fireplace and in the family room. They weren't things that I bought just to buy, but things that I liked in and of themselves and which added to the story of my moms and my MIL's things which I also combined.

Just a thought.

.

I would only use kitchen related items and I would try the donkey on the island - he/she needs to be displayed front and center in my humble opinion. I like that you have collected things that have meaning for you. Looks like you have plenty of things to work with. It's been five years since I moved into my house and I feel like I am only now getting a good idea of what to do with it. I would keep it simple for now and let the ideas come to you as you live there a while.

That looks great, 1929! You've managed to add just the right amount of visual interest without overdoing it. Or making it look contrived. Contrived is something I fear ... ::sigh::

Thanks Used to do a little display work for retail stores I worked in, but was not good enough to make it any more than a hobby. Here's how I do it.

Gather everything you might want to display in the space on the table or large area. Then, using my favorite Sesamie Street game "three of these things belong together", take out the stuff that doesn't "go". Next make sure you have a good variation in size and more than enough stuff for the space.

Then don't think about it too much and put stuff up. From there you can remove the excess then arrange what's left. The worst mistake is to over-think. That will yield the contrived look most every time, unless you're a real pro. And even they have some kind of process to make it all work.

At least that works for me.......my husband might say something else. And there are places where I just have a jumbled mess of my favorite things amd make no apologies or excuses.

I am a little late to the party. I, too, use 2x4's or books to raise my items above the cabinets. I know some people don't like anything above them and others love the warm feeling of items in a kitchen. Whatever camp you choose, it's most important to "love" your home. To love your look and what you are trying to accomplish. You got some great advice so far. Move some things into groups. Otherwise the eye doesn't know where to rest. What to focus on when there's too much to take in. Just play around. And thank you for inviting us into your new lovely home!

Jen, I have to agree it's too much of the same thing. I also think it's nice to have a bit of *bling* in those high up places where the lighting bounces off and gives just a hint of sparkle and shine to an otherwise boring display of stuff. My 'bit of bling' is old copper, pots/lids, trays, utensils, anything that doesn't disappear behind the crown. I've used hard plastic bowls as well as a few books as risers~if they're old books they could serve as part of the display. Imo, it's trial and error before you hit on what's 'right' and pleasing to * your* eye.

With very high ceilings, I used white laminate shelves to elevate on the top of cabinets. . Remember the wooden over the sink shelves on dowels? I found a couple of those and used them to elevate the smaller items.

Jen, knowing you all will turn out great.

I made a mistake using an unopened can of tomatoes as one of my risers...it busted open and made a mess as you can imagine. Of course the other mistake was putting mid-90's wallpaper up :(

I have 7 feet above my cabs so I have to fill in with stuff. I brought this platter home from Deruta, Italy (on the plane which wasn't easy).

Too much to read all, but I use scrap wood to raise items I have above my cabinets so they can be more easily seen.

Mustangs, too funny about the can of tomatoes! Oh, I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time though! I really like your wallpaper. And that platter is to DIE for! Gorgeous!

Do you have some left over Styrofoam sheets? You could fill the void, it should be easy to clean and nice and light weight plus you could use things like pins and nails to help prop things. I have a few plate stands I plan on using when I do the top of the corner hutch so I can see things beyond the crown molding

I'm so tired. Up and down the ladder is taking its toll! Tonight I greatly edited. I'll keep thinking about what I could use on top of the cabinets to the right. I'm actually remembering some wonderful old crockery bowls I saw in an antique shop. I've got a pretty blue Bauer bowl, but it needs to stay on the island to hold bananas. ;-)

Anyway, I feel like this is an improvement over all the stuff that I had up there before. Oh, the old apple cookie jar belonged to a couple who used to babysit me when I was a wee one so it is sweet to me.

And then there's THIS guy. Don't be jelly. *snort*

I love the donkey! Great call local! I use foam board insulation to raise items up. Similar to Kippy's idea. They are cheap, lightweight, available in various lengths/widths, stackable, and easy to trim. Not to mention they protect your cabinet tops and are disposable when they get grimy. Get white if you can, they can reflect up on the ceiling. Have fun!

What about putting your yellow apple cookie jar (do I have that right) with the blue and white stripped containers. That would be a really happy colour combination.

I do like your donkey. A little bit of whimsy is always fun.

Like you Jen I love and collect a lot of in-congruent things. And like 1929, also have done a bit of retail display and window work (really enjoyed reading about her process). I find working with clusters of 3 or 5 items, of different mass and at differing heights (plexi-glass risers or blocks work well for this) eye catching. Also "leaning" things to one another; for instance you might try your blue platter vertical and tip that tureen forward to show the lid, then add the white teapot to create a little vignette that tells a story. To my eye the Indian basket, the donkey and one of the brown pots (Hopi?) tell another story. And when one has a lot of items for display, I like to hold some things back and then change throughout the year to keep things fresh and the environment stimulating.

It's looking better already. A few comments though...when I look at the big picture, I find much more density in items in the corner than on the side. You may want to balance that some. Also, you have such a large space up there, you may want to think about actually hanging some plates on the wall and then arranging the other things in front. This will provide more height and depth to the arrangements. Think also about grouping odd numbered things rather than even-numbered...they tend to make more balanced arrangements.

Have not read all the comments but believe now there is not enough stuff or big enough stuff where before there was too much. Nothing should be by itself unless it is a massive item. Also things are still too low, they all need to be raised up on platforms. I use lucite stands when displaying that kind of thing. The corner grouping still low and not sure if the floral platter adds anything. I'd take that down and move what's left closer together. Then have two more groupings of three to five items each, one in the middle of the run and another near the opposite end. However, i think the main problem is that the individual items are mostly too small to be up there and that is what's making it look more like storage than display.

Absolutely Love that donkey! What's his name??

I really like the cobalt blue in that space. I like the blue and white with your cabinets. I think that area needs boldly patterned and colored objects, like the blue and white striped canisters. I like the blue and white platter and serving bowl as well but I would turn the platter vertically. Love the donkey as well.

Jen your stuff is cool. Isn't there a wall by the kitchen to do a neat artsy wall display?

I need you all to just come to my house and see the space in person. I don't know why it's not translating as well in photos as it FEELS in person. The items look tiny in the pictures, but in the room it actually looks and feels just fine. So what time can you stop by? I'll provide snacks! That said, I'm definitely not done with my search for items to use above the cabinets. (Ohhh, no - it's only just begun! Ho-HO!) There's definitely more density in the space to the left of the kitchen, so I am going to keep looking and scheming!

As for raising things up, each item is perched on stacks of books that are just ALMOST visible from the ground if you stand back far enough. Lucite stands might be a better way to go, although I don't want items to then appear as though they're just floating in space. I like the idea of using Styrofoam bases as well.

Jterrilynn - there is really NO wall space in this open concept area that's not in use. Well, except for the space beneath the high glass block window, but putting something there could impede use of the dining chair. I didn't realize that open concept would be so hard to decorate.

Alas, Mr. Donkey was deemed "inappropriate" for residence on the island by DH, and as he (DH, not Mr. Donkey) is the one who does our meal prep and wants the space kept open, I acquiesced to his wish and put Mr. D back up on top of the cabinets. He's now in the space to the right of the blue and white canisters.

Y'know ... maybe I "need" a vintage cookie jar collection for this space. :-D

These aren't vintage, but they're awfully cute!

I know what you mean about the open plan and decorating. My new house is all open and it is hard. I ended up using a tall free standing open display with glass shelves at my entry foyer area for all my decorative glass objects. It ended up the best thing by accident. It can be seen in the living area and adds color and height.

That sounds very pretty, JT! I'm really loving the space of open concept, but it's completely different to me. Takes some getting used to in knowing what goes where!

Jen, seeing your pottery, and thinking maybe a bit of texture might be needed, would you object to a couple of faux plants, maybe *in* a couple of the pots? I'm thinking succlenents, maybe even a cautus in bloom, faux. I'm not suggesting the over-the-top ivy of years ago, but a couple of strategically well-placed plants. I feel the plants are a good way of breaking up the monotony of our beloved collections.

My decor leans toward French country, and i've used a mini lemon topiary as well as two made of greenery, in containers that are already a part of the overall arrangement. Nowi think I need to go check for dust! ;)

Hmmm, interesting thought patty_cakes! I honestly don't know if I would use faux plants, although I HAVE seen succulents that aren't real but LOOK nice. I'm not sure if I can get past the "stigma", if you know what I mean. I used to have fake ivy coming out the wazoo (as I'm sure many of us did), and it still brings back ... memories. ::shudder:: I'll think about it though, and if I see a piece that looks nice, I just might "go there". Thanks. :-)

I have nearly a whole beyond the pool wood fence covered in fake ivy trellis haha ...very shudder worthy. But, since the neighbor behind would not replace his ugly fence it's a better alternative. I've planted real plants in front and in time it won't show much. Sometimes a girl is just gotta do...

Jen, i'm not too much of a trend follower, so the 'stigma' that might be associated with faux plants doesn't affect what I do when decorating my home. One thing I will NOT buy is the resin sh**! I have a lamp I bought when I first moved into my Tx home, and that's it. Like yourself, I've used many things that have 'meaning', not store-bought, brand new things. I've had to do a little filling in since also like you, this house is so much larger than my Ca condo, and is open concept too, both new 'experiences'. Antique/ consignment/thrift stores/auctions have been my goto places, with a lot of flea markets/trade days/antique shows/estate sales thrown in~Tx offers so much more than Ca in re:to 'resale not retail' shopping.

justerri, I think that's awesome! Bet no one can tell the difference either!!

justerri - your live plants will overtake the ivy in no time. Jenn, I am with you, I just can't do fake plants/flowers. I have seen some in others' homes that look great, but it is just not for me. I do agree with Patty about texture though. How about some more baskets or woven pieces? Maybe some metals - such as copper (which I think would look great in your kitchen).

A whole copper collection (of larger pieces) would be fab, no? Pricey and probably almost impossible to collect in a short while too. But I can dream. :-)

I have the wicker picnic hamper that you can just BARELY see peeking over the cabinets above the microwave and oven, but I do like the texture up there.

Patty & Tina, you can't tell at all from a distance. This is before I built up a plant bed and planted.

JT, that's actually a pretty cool fence treatment you've got going on there! It looks like the real deal to me!

And nope, not even a wall in the foyer. That's where we've hung our larger canvas pieces, and want to leave the floor space open there. (The wall space is already well spoken for.) I'm tellin' ya, my options for display are severely limited in this house, which is another reason I'm very eager to have built-in bookcases installed in the library upstairs..

Jen, it was a copper tea kettle that got me started on my copper collection~ that was over 20 years ago, and was a Mother's Day gift. My MIL also had a few pot/lids that I inherited, but the 2 coal shuttles, large thingie that looks likes a tall skinny pitcher, as well as large old utensils were found in thrift stores, or yard sales. I also found more pots w/lids, all pretty much blackened, but cleaned up beautifully with BonAmi. You have to hunt, but they're out there. Try a local trade days too. Tons of stuff that mostly needs cleaning up!

Justerri, you must have spent hours putting the ivy on the fence! Is it stapeled?

No I did the whole thing in minutes with horse shoe nails. Its expandable to whatever size you want (within reason). As stated my whole house is open plan and that includes the whole back of the house being glass slider doors. I couldn't take walking in and seeing an ugly fence beyond the pool screen.

Ha, I happen to have a "faux" plant on top of my cabinets. I decorate for myself and not for others, so if I like it it's good. I have a wooden cheese box that has a green metal band around it, in front of that are some tins. I have lots of tins up there, along with a ceramic set of cannisters, cruets, spice etc. that belonged to a great aunt. I also have a large ceramic goose, very very out of style but my husband bought it for me in Napa when we were first married so that baby is staying. Ya'll would probably die laughing and snicker about my terrible taste, but I love it. I say if it makes you feel good, it works.

No, I think I would appreciate your "terrible taste." There is absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with decorating with things you love. I'd much rather see a home decorated that way than one done up just to please the masses. Your goose sounds adorable. I mean, heck - I have a wooden DONKEY above my cabinets, so you're in good company with me. ;-)

I'll have to read all posts later but ... my opinion is less and larger pieces -- just like jewelry :-)

Just found the perfect spot to use this long acrylic painting. It's done on a thick board by a young Navajo folk artist and is the perfect balance to the big horse paintings in the adjacent living space. Having such fun discovering new ways to use my old things!

I have weathered copper pitchers and old baskets on top of our cabinets.

Love that copper!