Kitsch up your kitchen

This is a project I’ve had on my to-do list for ages. I have a healthy tea cup collection, and I’ve wanted to display all of them in all their glory in our kitchen. This is a really straight forward project, and will instantly add a kick of kitsch to your kitchen. Additional note: I will say this is a project for a low traffic area. If you’re thinking of pimping out the area just above your kettle or above your sink, seriously consider how much you move around in those areas. 
p.s. This is a project I know Janine will like!

What you’ll need : a hammer, a screwdriver {which I cleverly didn’t include in this photo … }, a measuring tape or ruler, 1″ cup hooks, a piece of wood, screws {longer than the piece of wood, but not too long to go through the cupboard overhang}, a set of pliers, and some dainty tea cups. 

Step 1 : lay out your teacups against the piece of wood. With yur ruler/tape, measure the average distance between the cups, and accurately mark out the distance with a pencil on your wood. I had 12cm between each cup, with the first cup set 5cm from the end.  

Step 2 : with a spare nail, gently hammer it into the wood to create an indent to start off your cup hook – it’s quite tough to start one off otherwise. Step 3 : it will begin to get difficult to screw in the cup hook, so here is where I find a pair of pliers very helpful. A couple of extra turns with the pliers will ensure your cup hooks are secure and strong. Step 4 : make sure all your cup hooks are facing the same direction. “Bitch please, I’m not that stupid”is what you’re thinking, but it’s amazing what little details one can forget. And no, I’m not calling you stupid. You’re the smartest bitch I know. 

Step 5 : once all your hooks are in a row, give your cups a test spin to make sure they look okay before you affix them to your cupboard. On a side note, I assure you I didn’t match my number-circles to my cardigan. That is a complete fluke. I swear. Step 6 : in my haste and excitement to get this mother up in my kitchen, I forgot to take any pictures of the assembly process. It’s up to yourself which way you would like the hooks to face – towards you, or away from you. To me, facing away seemed the safest way, but you may feel otherwise. Affix your hook rail {minus the dainty tea cups} using a good number of screws and your screwdriver {an extra pair of hands will come in handy}. Make sure the hook rail is sturdily in place before you hang up any of your cups. 
And that’s it! Sit back and enjoy your cute collection waiting to be oo-ed and aw-ed at 🙂 
I’ve been waiting a week to post this sweet little number. As it happens, we haven’t been home {except to sleep} since last Thursday, so I haven’t had time to blog it. Plus it took me ages to Photoshop the details into this mother. I’m very indecisive these days. 

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4 Comments

  1. February 29, 2012 / 17:19

    Okay, that is awesome and would be a very good way to utilize space in a smallish condo. I feel like I'm too spazzy to have in my kitchen — one jerky arm movement and my teacups would be all over the place…but it's very cute.

    Your pink tea mug…love!

    • March 1, 2012 / 16:49

      I never thought of that Alex, and that's a good point – this is a project best suited for a low traffic area. These particular hooks are coated with a rubbery type plastic, so the cups don't swing easily, and grip on fairly well. I'm going to edit my intro a bit …

      p.s. Pink glass mug = IKEA!

  2. March 2, 2012 / 20:13

    Your damn straight I would love that. The funny thing is aruond 30-40 years ago you would find these in most new zealand homes. Oh yes you would lol I still have memories of hanging cups on hooks lol.

    As I share your love of teacups I will confess I have stands for my cups and saucers, they were freaking hard to find too, (the stands) but my patience was rewarded and I now have three stands.

    • March 4, 2012 / 19:26

      Oh I love that these tea hooks were standard in NZ! That makes me jealous.

      I am ashamed to say I had to google what a tea stand was. And damn, are they ever cute. I've never seen one here in Ireland, so I don't think all the patience in the world will make me stumble upon one. For the moment, my cup hooks will suffice 🙂