Blue and White Dishes and Broken Ironstone
Do you collect dishes? Sigh...if I find a beauty in the thrift store, I find it so hard to leave behind!
Especially if it is blue and white!
There is something about this color combination that just satisfies my inner hunger for beauty!
Maybe it's the delicate florals and vines, the romance of the toiles, the idyllic countrysides depicted on many of these plates...I love it all!
I think my 'love-affair' with blue and white dishes began when I first met my mom-in-law, Joan. She has a wonderful collection of collected dishes, including a vintage set of Blue Willow. I fell in love with the combination of blue and white and the vintage look of these dishes, and set out to start my own collection.
I've been collecting for awhile now...I don't own a complete set, but that's okay with me.
I recently styled my table for brunch using my favorite mismatched blue and white dishes. The only ones that match and were purchased new, are the dinner dishes. All the rest were bought at thrift shops or junk shops for just a couple dollars or less a piece. Even that gorgeous coffee pot!
See how beautifully they all work together. Different patterns, many different shades of blues...all working in harmony to create an inviting table. Wouldn't you love to come for brunch?
And while I was at it, I restyled the top of my black hutch...moving a few of my blue and white dishes up there amongst my collection of white pitchers. Again, some are old and were discovered tucked away in a corner of a dusty thrift store. Others are new, and found at HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Target.
A couple of wicker baskets add some great texture and natural color.
My oldest and dearest pitcher was found and nearly lost in the same day. See this one?...Look closely...do you see the cracks?
This pitcher is made by Wm. Adams and Sons, and is English...my favorite ironstone to collect! I happened upon it after a day of thrifting...this was my big score of the day...especially because it was half off day, and was only $7! The lady behind the counter was very busy and asked if I would wrap it up myself, along with my other purchases. So I did, wrapping it in newsprint and putting it into a plastic grocery sack and then into the back of my Tahoe.
Driving home, I was giddy with joy. My first antique English ironstone find!
Arriving home, I opened the back door of my Tahoe and one bag rolled out and onto the driveway before I could grab it. I heard a shatter. Out of ALL the purchases I had made that day, the only thing that broke was my coveted ironstone pitcher. (I may have wailed in grief for a few seconds)
I gathered up the pieces and brought them inside. It was broken into at least a dozen pieces, some of them tiny. However....the bottom was still intact and as I held them up to one another I realized I just might be able to piece it together. I grabbed my E-6000 glue and spent the next anxious moments gluing my broken pitcher back together, wondering if it would actually stick.
Obviously, it did!
I don't get to use it, but it still gets pride of place among my other ironstone...and it's a great conversation piece!! From afar you hardly notice the cracks!
It's the second from the left below on my mantle.
Are you a dish-crazed-collector like I am? Do you wish you could have dishes like these but thought they were too expensive?
Keep your eye out...they are out there, you just may have to hunt through stacks of dishes to find one or two good ones. Decide what color or style you want to collect and let your friends know to keep their eyes out...before you know it you will have a great collection too!
bringing beauty to the ordinary,
Knick of Time Interiors
Best of the Weekend at Little Miss Celebration
The Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire Inspired
Feathered Nest Friday
I also love dishes!! I have way to many, but every time I wonder in to a Home Goods or a TJ Maxx I go right to the dishes..sigh. I recently started collecting old dishes..the blue and whites are moving up on my list of favorites.
ReplyDeleteThose are some of my favorite sources too, Nicole! They have such great prices.
DeleteI too love old china plates with subtle floral and toile designs.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful, aren't they Di?
DeleteOh my....I know your heart sank!! If you get a $$Tree skinny bud vase, you can slip it inside your pitcher and still display flowers in it :^) Don't ask me why I know this :^(
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
J
That's a great idea! Thanks for the tip!!
DeleteHi Cindy I LOVE blue and white dishes too and have more than I need. But I can't resist adding to my collection when I find any cheap ones. I don't have any of the patterns you show in this post. Come and visit me sometime andI'll serve you tea in my dainty blue tea set. (hugs) Rhondi
ReplyDeleteHi Rhondi, I would love to come for tea :) We can ooh and aah over pretty patterns, lol! And maybe hit a thrift store or two ;)
DeleteYou have some wonderful pieces! I love how you display everything. I too am a lover of blue and white.
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful to have you join me at my weekly link party, Seasonal Sundays. The link goes up at 7 pm EST on Saturday. Hope to see you then!
If you love dishes, which clearly you do, pop over for a visit.
- Alma, The Tablescaper
Thank you Alma :) I'll check it out.
Delete