large painted antique French cabinets

Image via Eclecchic

It is a gloomy and wet day here in Tasmania. Oh, and cold! I am sitting in the office at the store refusing to turn on the oil heater as surely it is not that time of year yet? Through the office door I can't help admiring the large French cabinet that we have at the front of the store. I am very sorry in advance, it has been sold and awaiting delivery, just in case you fall in love like everyone else who walks through our doors.

Anyway, it has got me thinking about the beauty of freestanding storage furniture. I am talking about cabinets, bookcases, cupboards, buffets and so on. Not only are they functional, you can take them with you to your next home! But for now, my brain is a little cold so I thought I would just focus on painted glazed cabinets...

Here is the French cabinet that we have sold. It is painted in a lovely soft grey colour and dates to the late part of the 19th century. It can fit so much inside! It would be fantastic in a large dining room where you can display all of your china and glassware. In fact, I am fairly certain that it will indeed go into the lucky owner's dining room. We currently have it filled with 19th cenury apothecary bottles and domes.
If you are wondering how we will move such a large piece, it actually comes apart in to several pieces. The French were very clever with furniture design in this respect. They had big Parisien appartments but the furniture had to go up flights of stairs, hence they made "flat pack" furniture.

Image via Cote Bastide

Here is another example of a beautiful cabinet, I am not sure whether it is antique, though.

Image via Chateau de Moissaic

And you may have seen this image before on my blog. I adore it! This is what I mean when I am talking about a dreamy dining room cabinet filled with white china and glassware.

Image via The Vintage Rose

And lastly, a cabinet for the living room. This one is filled with leather books. What I like about this example is the contrasting colour on the inside with the white exterior. Which is you favourite?