Category Archives: Decorating

Summertime Blues

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We are unofficially in my least favorite season. Nearly seven decades ago a wise young man sang about it, too, so yes, hating the summer is a real thing for some. In fact, an article by Psychology Today called it Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. Ergo, summer makes me S-A-D. And it is nice to see I am not alone. There are even Facebook groups about this condition. I have found my people.

Top reasons I hate summer:

  1. Heat.
  2. Humidity.
  3. Heat & humidity.
  4. Bugs, especially flying ones that sting or bite.
  5. Lack of decorating opportunities.

(Image by me.)

The last reason especially is quite disconcerting to me. Many years ago I would set up a patriotic display just before Memorial Day and leave it as is through Labor Day. That way it covered both those holidays along with Flag Day and July 4th in between. I do not mind showing my pride for this “land that I love”, but after over three months, it gets a little stale. But since I am not a fan of the other looks popular with this season-coastal, nautical or beachy vibes-my choices seem limited.

I cannot seem to find my summer decorating staples like flags & stars, so for now I am using what I have in variations of red, white & blue to inspire me a little. Oh, and my Charlie Brown in perfect patriotic attire celebrating America’s favorite past time is a bit of whimsy from an old dear friend until the glory that is fall arrives.

(Image by me.)

So until the unofficial end of summer, I’m singing right along with Eddie Cochran (“…there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”).

Stay safe & well.

Lucky Number 7

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In the ongoing process to organize my apartment, I have been unpacking some of my collections to finally give them a home. Today’s box uncovered 7 of my ironstone pitchers (and one creamer). Seven. SEVEN! I am actually screaming that number the way Monica did in that episode of “Friends” when she gave her future husband a road map to a woman’s heart LOL.

(Image by me.)

I downsized a lot of my Ironstone years ago, but I did not wish to include my beloved pitchers. Yet somehow I thought I did get rid of a few. With this unboxing I believe I was wrong. Pitchers were the first pieces of Ironstone I started collecting once I realized I could afford them.  I was first introduced to this beautiful pottery thanks to Martha Stewart.  As much as I loved it, I knew if she collected it I could probably never ever afford it.  So I lived vicariously through her. 

In one of the unbelievably lucky moments of my life, I found a free pitcher & bowl set (read about that here) which is technically the first piece I owned. Not one to push my luck, I was pretty sure this set would be the only Ironstone in my home. Ever. I believed I was being pragmatic, not pessimistic, since I had already received such good fortune with my incredible free find. But the universe eventually corrected me.

(Image by me.)

Years later when I went to my first antique warehouse (Stratford Antique Center in Stratford, CT-highly recommend), I found two Ironstone pieces-a pitcher and a sugar bowl-that were quite beautiful & quite affordable. I was on my way.

Over the years I have found plates & platters for next to nothing at estate sales along with a few footed bowls & lidded pieces. I still have a few of them but as I wrote earlier, I have downsized a lot as well. My goal is to keep the pitchers as my main collection so I can enjoy them more while using a few other pieces to anchor everything. Thanks to their neutral white color, Ironstone pieces are perfect to use for any occasion or holiday. My favorite way to use the pitchers is as vases for flowers. Even my beloved lilacs look more elegant. Don’t you agree?

 (Image by me.)

 Stay safe & well.

The Biggest Piece Of Ironstone In My Collection

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A while back, I bought the biggest-and most expensive-piece of Ironstone in my collection. It was a huge splurge then (and would be now as well), it completely blew my budget for that shopping trip and the dealer was firm on the price. But it was absolutely worth every cent. I adore this piece.

(All photos by me).

It is nearly 12 inches high with an 8 inch top opening and it is quite heavy. I have no idea what it was created for or what its original purpose was. The antiques shop owner had no idea about it, either. The shape reminds me of an upside down ginger jar. Outside of filling it with the occasional bouquet of flowers or seasonal pine branches, I have used it primarily as a display piece.

To be clear, there is no marking of any kind on the bottom like the majority of Ironstone pieces have. But between the weight, the glaze, my own experience collecting pitchers and sugar bowls of this glorious pottery, it was pretty clear to determine the origin of the piece.

It did come with a lid, although I am not sure it is the original cover. It is a brighter shade of white but that might have occurred if it was used less than the bottom part. Either way, I do like the look a cover brings to this wonderful piece.

Also, the style of the knob on the lid looks a little more in line with a fancier piece of Ironstone, but I do not know for sure.

I love how simple this piece is. I have always preferred the less ornate style of Ironstone and especially with something this size, that clean elegant style just emphasizes its beauty perfectly.

In my house in NY, I kept it on my coffee table in my living room so I could see it the minute I walked in the door. Due to the cozy size of my home, I was also able to enjoy its view from other rooms as well.

I also love how unique this piece it, how it anchors my collection and ties it all together. But due to its size, it stands on its own beautifully. In all my years of collecting, I have never come across another item like this one.

Have you ever seen a piece like this? What do you think it was used for? What would use it for?

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

A New Collection

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A little over two years ago, an innocent eBay search led me down a rabbit whole which rekindled my love of sugar bowls & pitchers. Since creamers are basically mini pitchers, I decided to find a set I loved. And thus, a new collection was born.

(Image by me.)

My kitchen has built in shelves in the window frame and it is the perfect spot for these beauties. The first sugar bowl I stumbled upon was by Noritake in the Melissa pattern. I absolutely love the soft delicate flowers

Top image by me, bottom picture found online. (Original source unknown.)

I think I fell for the Melissa pattern because it reminded me of one of the first Noritake patterns I fell in love with, Sweet Leilani. I discovered it in a store at Tanger Outlets in Riverhead, New York which was only about 40 minutes away from me when I lived on Long Island. It was not just the bargain prices that drew me to the outlets, but the availability of items I never would have considered to purchase “just to have”. This beautiful set changed my mindset. I also bought two dinner plate sets to use to make those take out nights extra special.

Top image by me, bottom picture found online. (Original source unknown.)

That led to to my third Noritake pattern discovery, Marywood. I adored it so much I bought two dinner settings of this as well along with a few berry bowls.

Top image by me, bottom picture found online. (Original source unknown.)

I have a few Ironstone sugar bowls that I keep with my other Ironstone pieces. But this weekend I found one of them without a lid and decided to bring it home. I have another un-lidded one that I use in my bathroom to hold my make up brushes, but this new to me one completed the bottom shelf of my kitchen display perfectly. And I really like how it looks next to the blue & white Winterling sugar bowl I spotlighted here back in January.

(Images by me.)

What do you collect? Are you thinking of starting a new collection? I would love to know so please tell me in the comments below and include any pictures you would like to share.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

Let There Be Hurricane Lamps

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My grandmother came to live with me when I was 12. Admittedly, her decorating style was not similar to mine at all. She preferred lots of bold color, I was into more softer hues. She liked a lot of texture, I did not. She introduced me to criss cross curtains which I loved, then she traded them in for shutters. But she had two beautiful hurricane lamps that I absolutely adored. One of them is now mine.

(Image by me.)

I inherited it in 2001 after she passed away and I have cherished it ever since. I wish I had asked her more about the lamp, like when and where she bought it, but for some reason I never did. The middle part still has remnants of the lamp oil she used in it so I have not had the heart to clean that part out. I find the entire piece so elegant, especially the base which reminds me of some candlestick holders she had as well.

(Image by me.)

For a while I had amassed a collection of about seven or eight of them, with some similar to the one below which I found online. Once I downsized and sold my home, I just kept hers which currently sits on my refrigerator so it is one of the first things I see when I enter my apartment.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I have held onto and continue to acquire the chimneys which work so well over pillar candles for safety but also to give them a more sophisticated look. While some of the chimneys are quite delicate, there are many that have more weight to them. I also bought two similar to the ones below which look quite nice as well.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Despite how well my hurricane lamp probably still functions, I prefer to keep it as a decor piece only. Just looking at it provides enough joy and I do not have to worry that I might damage it if I use it.

What are some of your favorite inherited pieces? Please tell me in the comments below.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

Pretty In Pink

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Is there a better win at an estate or tag sale than stumbling upon something so beautiful you literally swoon? My first look at this bowl over a decade ago did that to me and I still feel butterflies every time I see it.

(Image by me.)

It is a perfect balance of my love of white Ironstone & a soft delicate minimal floral pattern in a sweet shade of pink. And I love how one side featured two flower bunches to the individual one on the other side. Such a unique way to give the pattern more visual interest.

(Image by me.)

The edges are scalloped with a small dot pattern all around the edge. Such beautiful attention to detail to such a lovely piece.

(Image by me.)

I am sad to say that in all the years since this find, I have yet to come across another piece to build a collection with. I used this bowl on my coffee table for all to see for many years where it held the TV remote. Now that I no longer have a television, I repurposed this piece to hold seasonal items like acorns and pinecones in the fall & winter and wrapped candy in the spring & summer so it can remain on display. It is just too pretty not to be the center of attention.

(Image by me.)

The stamp on the back shows the manufacturer as K. T. & K. CO. which stands for Knowles, Taylor & Knowles.

(Image by me.)

From the search I did online, they were a pottery company which operated from 1854 to 1931 in East Liverpool, Ohio. There is a page dedicated to them on the National Museum Of American History.

What finds have made you swoon? Please tell me in the comments below.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

Sugar And Spice…Well, Really Just Sugar

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When I bought my first house many years ago, I started collecting pitchers-any size, any shape, any color. I lined them up on top of my natural wood kitchen cabinets for pops of color. Eventually I streamlined the collection to all white once I discovered some Ironstone ones I could afford. As I scoured antiques stores for them, I saw an Ironstone sugar bowl and decided my life needed those as well.

Over the years I began expanding that collection to include other patterns & styles as well. This vintage blue & white bowl is one of the first that started that trend. These colors are just so classic together.

(Image by me.)

So many china patterns have a gold detail. I prefer silver like this one. Such a sweet detail on the handles…

(Image by me.)

…and on the outline of the top of the bowl…

(Image by me.)

…and on the top on the lid.

(Image by me.)

I also adore the scalloped detail at the top & the bottom of the piece.

(Image by me.)

Isn’t the name of the pattern just lovely, too?

(Image by me.)

It reminds me of the Johann Haviland Bavaria Germany Blue Garland pattern (below). I had a 20 piece set that I eventually donated when I downsized and sold my house.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I currently have several other sugar bowls in my collection, with many sharing subtle shades of blue as its primary color. I am not sure if I should display them together with their creamers which would leave this bowl out of that grouping as I have yet to find a mate to pair it with. That means I would be able to use the bowl elsewhere in my home as I do love this piece so. But where to do that is what I struggle with,

I would love to know what you do with a special piece of china to highlight it on its own in your house. Please share in the comments below along with any pictures of some of your beloved items.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

How To Display A Special Family Heirloom

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I have a collection of mismatched china which has been handed down to me from family along with special pieces I have purchased myself over my many years of antiquing & thrifting.  I love them all but most sit in boxes as I struggle with how to add them to my apartment decor. I remember the advice I heard on a decluttering show by master organizer Peter Walsh about taking special pieces out of boxes where they go unseen and give them a place of honor in your home.  That is a goal I would like to accomplish this year.  

To help me with that, I decided to go through each piece and/or collection and find the perfect way to display them. Perhaps it will also help me finally decide I no longer want some of my items and donate them to give someone else a chance to love them properly.  The first piece I want to display with honor is this beautiful rose platter that belonged to my paternal grandmother, Ida.  She received it as a wedding gift from her mother in 1934.  Isn’t it wonderful?

Platter 5

(Image by me!)

The biggest problem I have with it is the pattern.  As pretty as the roses are, red is my least favorite color. So except for a few Christmas pieces, I do not have any red in my home.  I do not have an entirely neutral Pottery Barn like look, but that is the dominant tone along with softer shades of colors I love like blue, yellow and pink. I am also not a huge fan of gold but I do not mind it as the detail on both of the grip sides.   

Platter 7

(Image by me!)

I have not been able to find out too much about the brand by the stamp on the back, but I did find dinner plates for sale on Replacements.com if I ever choose to add them. I am sure with a deeper dive I will find more pieces to peruse.

Rose platter back seal

(Image by me!)

Luckily since the pattern is sparse, I believe it will blend in as a subtle pop of color wherever I display it. I could go the traditional route and place it in a hutch. However, I live in an adorable but smaller sized apartment and I only want one of those which I would like to use just for my white Ironstone. The platter is also quite big (16 x 11 1/2) and heavy so I would never be comfortable hanging it on a wall. I am also considering using it on my coffee table on top of some large books.

For more inspiration, I turned to-where else?- Pinterest. I discovered I really love the look of placing the platter in a basket. But my kitchen is a small galley style one so devoting a lot of room to a decor corner does not seem prudent. I could use a platter rack, but I am not sure about relinquishing that much wall space for a display. And since I cook less & less these days, I do not spend enough time in there to justify relegating the platter to that room just because it is a serving piece. Below are some ideas I am considering. I really love that not all are limited to the kitchen:

Basket 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.) 

diy basket ideas vintage dishes

(Image courtesy of DIY Beautify.)

decor steals basket

(Image courtesy of Decor Steals.)

wire basket

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Platter rack

  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.) 

I would love to know which idea you like best. Please share in the comments below or tell me how you display cherished items in your home.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

Autumn Equinox

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“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.” (Unknown).

white pumpkins

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy fall, everyone! Isn’t this just a beautiful way to show off white pumpkins & silver?

How do you enjoy this gorgeous new season? What things do you already have in your home that you use to celebrate the autumn months? For me it is my coziest blankets & socks, not to mention my slow cooker. I love making comfort foods all year round but there is something awfully special about those dishes when the weather turns cooler. What about you? I would love to hear about some of the things you start to do when fall arrives.

Stay well.

Happy Halloween From A New Old Friend

Posted in Decorating, Holidays by

Hello, Vixens!!!!

I have spent the last several weeks doing some traveling (posts to follow) and working on re-branding my blog.  As much as I love “The Vintage Vixen”, I am afraid it was getting lost in a sea of similarly named blogs and sites.  So I decided a change was the best way to move forward.  Hope all of you fellow Vixens like it (who we are can’t really change, am I right???)   🙂

Now, Happy Halloween!!!

How do you enjoy this holiday?  Are you into gore and gruesome, adorable and affable or somewhere in between???  I take (mostly) the adorable route and use purple as my primary color choice.  For fall decorating I gravitate towards neutral, but for All Hallow’s Eve I enjoy the holiday’s newest color choice of purple.

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However, I do like to add a bit of the macabre.  On a recent trip to one of my favorite spots for a great bargain-Target’s Dollar Spot (n/k/a Bullseye’s Playground which is also online!!!!!) I found this great little mock headstone.

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At the other great spot for a bargain-Dollar Tree-I found this black crow.  Very Hitchcock-esque, don’t you think???

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I found these beautiful tags on Etsy.  I think they would make great place cards, too.  So pretty!!!!!

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I also keep a touch of my regular fall decorating nearby to keep the mood lighthearted and fun.

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And my Ironstone seems to bring an elegance to anything which is part of why I love it so much!!!

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And what is a holiday without some music?  I found this clip of the perfect Halloween song –Monster Mash-on YouTube.  I think it is a real treat (pun intended)!!!

Have a great holiday!!!

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

PS:  Look what followed my home from the grocery store yesterday!!!!  How adorable!!!

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