Minimalists might like to shut their possessions away until they need them, but there’s another argument which says that some things are worth showing off. A glass display cabinet, or vitrine, can elevate ordinary possessions to something more special, or frame your favourite decorative objects, giving them particular emphasis.
Use a vitrine to store towels and beautifully packaged toiletries in the bathroom; for your linens on the landing; in the kitchen, filled with your best crockery; or in the living room for books and decorative accessories.
Old glass shop and museum fittings make great cabinetry for the home: robust and well made, their simpler detailing suits our more pared-back tastes than heavily ornate antique versions, although their larger scale may not always suit a domestic setting. Try Andy Thornton or LASSCO for a good selection.
Several interiors brands are rediscovering the vitrine as a favourable piece of furniture, from Ikea right up to luxury labels such as Nicholas Haslam. Line with a contrasting colour, or even wallpaper, to make them even more of a focal point.
A vitrine can be stark and plain, giving your treasures all the space they need, or they can be a statement in their own right. Check below for some fabulous vitrines design.
Grado 45° Vetrina, Molteni
Vitrina tall cabinet, £3,395, Case
Stockholm cabinet, £275, Ikea
Hollywick Vitrine, £6,200, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam
Eichholtz Barney’s Cabinet, £3,300, Houseology
Reclaimed timber double-door vitrine, £1,398, The Orchard
