My Pie Safe Revisited

While housebound due to Wednesday's snow and ice storm, I went ahead and gave my pie safe a face lift. (Are you as tired of this winter as I am?) I was glad to do this long overdo little project. And since I like fiddling around with display, it was a pleasant way to spend a quiet morning. Once I emptied everything out of the cabinet, I wiped down the wood and cleaned the glass so it was all ready to fill back up with my favorite vintage kitchenware.

My pie safe nestles into a narrow area of my kitchen. For the longest time, I searched for a cabinet that would fit this small space, but I was never able to find one. Plus, I wanted it to have glass doors so I could enjoy my cheerful collection. Luckily, about ten years ago on eBay, I came across a furniture maker down south whose specialty was pie safes. I contacted him and he was happy to make me a cabinet to my exact specifications.

Most pie safes have door panels of punched tin or mesh screens. Originally used as a place to store freshly baked goods right out of the oven, pie safes kept pesky flies away from cooling bread, cakes and other bakery items. Since my cabinet would only be used for display, I opted for glass in the doors and side panels to keep out pesky dust and allow a clear view of my whimsical kitchenalia.

Same stuff, refreshed arrangement. Let's take a closer look inside . . .

Above left: standing ready for tea time on the top shelf, a set of Steubenville Pottery in the Woodfield pattern. On the next shelf down, above right: vintage Japan pottery mixed in with new Majolica-style dessert plates. And there's the new addition, my charming stacking teapot!

Alongside my pie safe hangs a couple of useful folk art relics; a cat match safe and a Boston Terrier string holder.

Above left: my Nasturtium motif items feel like summer all year round. Above right: the small Jade-ite collection I amassed, before Martha Stewart sent the prices through the roof.

On the very top of the pie safe, below left: the kitschiest 1950's Androck sifter. Below right: My weakness for vintage metal pieces. (Do you remember my enormous picnic tin collection? Might be time to share those with you again.)

And finally, on the very bottom shelf, you'll find my cherished vintage tablecloths sporting colorful fruit and flowers.

From top to bottom, my pie safe has a new look. Of course, there's a good chance I may be the only one who notices it. But by simply moving things around, I'm enjoying a fresh view of the splendid stuff that make me smile.

Susan

Comments

[Maggie]

Oh dear! Where does one begin?
I LOVE the pie safe, empty, and filled!
I am so jealous that you have room enough in your kitchen for it and that it is filled with so many lovely things.
But I am most thrilled with seeing your matches holder and your string holder - which I have a personal love for - oh I sense a collection coming on!
Good for you with using time wisely and bringing some cheer to a dreary winter day.
Cheers,
Maggie

[celia]

Lovely, cozy, sweet and stylish!
Love it!

[Cathy]

I am green with envy over your gorgeous pie safe! Looks like a day well spent and enjoyed.

Cathy :)

[Pam]

I love every little detail! The colors and the metal ware are right up my alley. I love the match and string holder. I have the exact same flour sifter. It was my grandma's and is one of my favorite pieces. I gotta go back and drool over your photos some more now, Pam

[sharron]

So lovely!!

[Diane]

What a wonderful makeover, I love your mix of kitchen collectables. Nice fresh look!
Hugs, Diane

[Malisa]

Your custom made pie safe is so special, but your display is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your photos with us!

Malisa

[GeorgiaPeachez]

I love that pie safe and everything in it! xo, suzy

[Lee Ann]

would you mine sharing to whom you ordered the pie safe. loving it!!!

[Susan]

Before I wrote the post, I tried to track down the gentleman who made my pies safe on eBay. And since it was about ten years ago, I no longer have his receipt. He went by the name of Paw Paw and his company was called something like “Pie Safes by Paw Paw.” Unfortunately, I was unable to find him still selling on eBay. He was an older man; perhaps he has retired.

[Connie W]

So many lovely pieces! Very cool.

[Melody]

Love the pie safe and the contents. My fav thing is the shelf paper tho. Where did you find such pretty vintage looking paper?

[Claire]

i dearly love your pie safe. it makes me so happy!!!

[Shari]

Okay, I'll take one of each and everything you pictured! It's all just the style I like. I brought my woodworker husband in to see the pie safe with "Honey, could you make me one of these?" He really liked it too, but alas, his Honey-do list is already so long! Well, anyway, I can enjoy looking at yours!!

[Cathy Santarsiero]

I love everything about it, Susan. So bright and cheery.

[tammyCA]

Your pie safe is one of my fave photos to look at...it's so my cheery '40s style. Love your "new" stacked teapot. I've never seen one before and it is darling. :)

[Mecky]

Adorable! Just my style. I love the sifter and the shelf paper.

(I, too, had to slow down on collecting jadeite, thanks to Martha Stewart. I have noticed that whatever she has on her show, new or old, skyrockets!)

The cabinet is a great way to showcase your "pretties".

I found your blog recently and will certainly check back in!

[Donna Roorda (Countryshab)]

Hi. I just love your photos- I love the bright colors, and the super pie safe. I too am looking for an inexpensive old piece that I can have open in my pantry cupboard instead of the ugly shelves that are there now! I love my vintage kitchen items - I have 3 vintage breadboxes that I have kept. one is an old red hard lucite or something with a big pink painted rose on the front and I have the 2 larger flour and sugar canisters that go with it, and then 2 tin ones. I have fiesta ware, so I love the bright colors and the Hall autumn leaf.

[Kim G.]

Your pie safe is pleasantly perfect and cheerful. Sigh.

[b.]

ohhh, i want that dog strong holder!!!!!!!! xo.