Display Upgrade

We have a built-in display case in our entry hallway. For the past 25 years (ever since we have lived here), we have displayed some Oriental (mostly Japanese) items that we have accumulated over the years coming from several different sources, but most have been gifts.

Years ago, when we picked Ryan up from his mission in the Canary Islands, we were able to visit Spain. They are famous for their Lladro ceramics. While doing some window shopping in Barcelona, we went into a shop that sold Lladro. I fell in love with one piece which I was able to talk Alan into letting me purchase. Lladro is VERY expensive!!! I chose a mother on a chaise lounge with a baby in her arms and another child, a daughter, at her knees, as seen below. Being a mother, myself, I felt that this was the perfect choice for me. I found a cool case to display it in and it has been on display in our living room ever since. 

I never knew that I would one day have a whole Lladro display. I only have one now, thanks to my friend, Paula Thorsen. She was given many pieces of Lladro from a woman she did holiday decorating for. Paula isn't a big fan of Lladro, so when she moved to Arizona a couple of years ago, she gave me some of her pieces. Then, she gave me some more when I visited her last Thanksgiving.

 With all of these new pieces, Alan and I decided to toss the Oriental display and showcase the Lladro instead. With Jane's help, this is what we came up with.

However, Jane thought it would look better if the oak were painted and we agreed, so Alan painted it this weekend. The color is "Pearl White" and is the same color as the trim in our house. I think Alan did a fantastic job painting it.

It took 4 coats of paint to cover the oak, so Alan had to put a lot of work into this.

A work in progress

I love the final result. We ended up finding an extra shelf and added it to the right side. It is more symmetrical now and looks much nicer than the oriental display. I totally love the finished product. I think we have a winner!