I was asked about my 'jam cupboard' after yesterday post. Well in the real world it's called a Welsh Bread and Cheese cupboard, if you look on Google Images you will see some very posh ones made of mahogany etc but mine is a more traditional Welsh cottage rustic styled one made from old pine.
I treated myself to it a couple of years ago when a local antique shop was closing down and selling off all his stock for half price. Even at half price it was expensive ... well to me as a treat for myself it seemed expensive ... but as I had been tempted to buy it at full price, seeing it there at half price swung the decision and my card was whipped out of my purse before I could even say 'But what will I use it for?'
And as you saw on this photo the other week, it just fits into our conservatory so well.
And as you saw on yesterdays photos I did find a good use for it as it holds all the jams and chutneys that I make as well as a multitude of other paraphernalia. The lower cupboards hold my jam making pans, jelly bags, empty jars and bottles, and as well as the jams and chutneys on the top shelves there are tins and containers ready to spring into action when they are needed.
When we move this will be one of the few pieces of furniture that will be coming with us.
As well as a Bread and Cheese Cupboard that contains jam ...
I have a Flour Bin that contains the next five years worth of bargain gardening gloves waiting to be called into action.
Three Bread Bins that contain dog treats, biscuits and grooming aids.
And on the work top in the kitchen another Flour Bin that contains the dogs dried dog food.
So you can never dare to assume what you will find in any tin or bin in this house 😄
Sue xx
I found the post I did just after I bought this ... four years ago ... wow how time flies!!
I too have an old enamel bread bin on a shelf and mine contains very old family bibles and some small children’s books that belonged to my mum when she was small. Heather
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me wonder what is in other people tins when I see them on shelves. I would never have guessed bibles and books :-)
DeleteI was led to your blog as I asked on mine what happened to another blogger and you it seems still have contact with her. Her original blog was Sweet Blondie Blue Eyes and then My Life in the Country. I followed her and was sad to hear she stopped because of nasty comments, some people are horrible. Please say hello to her from me and how sorry I am she has stopped blogging.. and now I'm following you.. nice blog and rread right back to see those kitchen shelves when empty.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't have any contact with Ann, (perhaps you thought that because our blog names were so similar, my long running blog is called OUR New Life in the Country). I know she stopped her blog a while ago very suddenly, due I think to nasty trolling comments.
DeleteI don't know if she reads this newer blog of mine, she followed the other one for years, but perhaps if she does she will jump in with a comment to put everyone's minds at rest.
I'm not sure when the empty kitchen shelves were, but this blog has been going since March 2018 :-)
That's an absolutely beautiful piece of furniture and it's aroused deeply envious feeling in me! Not that there's anywhere here I could put it, but it is so lovely! :-)
ReplyDeletexx
You can see why I fell in love with it can't you. As it splits into two halves I'm hoping it will fit one way or another into whichever new home I buy :-)
DeleteI love your bread and cheese cupboard. When we were in Llandovery Antiques Les had a beautiful old oak one (with an eye watering price tag). You have given me an idea as my husband is busy making things right now and he could make something like this (or a Dole Cupboard, which is a better option given kitchen space is tight nowadays with two dressers). Will show him your photo later.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest enamel flour bin is our post box!
Yes, I cringed at the original cost of this (£1,395 ... I bet everyone has been wondering) but I was soooo tempted. When I saw it included in Acorn Antiques half price closing down sale I just had to have it for myself. It will outlive me that's for sure.
DeleteI love Dole Cupboards but they are usually wider, and nine times out of ten made of mahogany or another dark wood, I do love pine and oak best in my homes.
That's brought back memories! My gran, all her adult life, baked bread weekly, and would store it in a large cupboard - we called it a press. Dark and glossy wood, it looked more like a French linen press. The loaves were cooked in a wood heated oven set into the simne fawr (translation for those outside of Wales - it's the huge sort of open chimney you can walk into and see the sky - pronounced shimney vawr). Baking was a huge task on the farm, even though by then there were no farm workers, just my uncles farming the land as adjuncts to their own land. There were always grandchildren around, and she used to bake special small loaves for us!
ReplyDeletePresses are lovely, and are more like the Dole Cupboard that Bovey Belle talks about above. The main difference between both of those and a Welsh Bread and Cheese cupboard is that the B&C cupboard has the spindles in the upper doors to let air into the cupboard.
DeleteWhat lovely memories you have shared, they did make me smile as I pictured the scene of the children and the lovely little loaves of fresh bread, thank you. xx
I like the way you re purpose things.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to have anything in the house that isn't pulling it's weight. Useful and beautiful is how things have to be to live here.
DeleteThe cupboard and the bins are gorgeous. Those enamel bins can cost a fortune these days but I have been tempted.
ReplyDeleteI've been very lucky with my enamel bins. The most expensive one was £20 and the rest much cheaper from junky style antique shops and car boot sales.
DeleteLots of new kitchens are going for the deconstructed non fitted look and cupboards like yours are always wanted. They are lovely and practical too.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't part with it even if someone offered me it's full original price. Yes, it could look brilliant in a future kitchen of mine, either as it is or split into it's two halves.
DeleteMy enamel bread bin contains potatoes!
ReplyDeleteOoh brilliant idea 😃
DeleteBeautiful piece of furniture. I love the bread and flour bins. If, and it's a big IF, we saw them over here they would cost a fortune!!
ReplyDeleteBut once you've got them they last forever 😄
DeleteI've always loved your "jam cupboard" and I think I remember when you first got it!
ReplyDeleteIt was a couple of years ago, I can't remember exactly. Worth every penny ❤️
DeleteI just had to find out when I bought it and according to my old blog 'Our New Life in the Country' in was almost exactly four years ago. Wow ... times goes so quickly.
DeleteSee here for the original post ... https://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2016/06/were-supposed-to-be-saving.html