Ever uncover a vintage find and say, “That’s mine” out loud? An outstanding china coffee pot did it for me. Mount Vernon, Harmony House by Hall. This piece is not like my usual thrift store finds. It must have just been put on the shelf when I saw it. Fluted and scroll details, gold rims […]
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What vintage dishes would work well for a student going off to school? I was poking around a thrift store recently, in company of some folks who were looking to outfit a grandson for his first college apartment. They were shopping for cookware. Someone else had the dinnerware checklist. A lot of people are looking […]
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Even if you know of the book, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, you might not know that this classic inspired a dinnerware set, made by Noritake in the 1980s. The book was a publishing hit, when it came out in 1977, in a facsimile edition of the naturalist diary of Edith Blackwell Holden […]
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August is high time for fruits we love, and dinnerware patterns that feature these fall fruits are in season all year round. On my list of favorite fruits: apples, peaches, pears, grapes and plums. Dishes that feature these motifs catch my eye when I’m out scouting for dinnerware and glassware, just as their inspirations are […]
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Designer Warren Kimble has drawn on folk themes and Americana to create charming dinnerware patterns. They’re timeless when it comes to a table setting focused on red, white and blue. Solid color plates and glasses are easy to use when putting together a 4th of July, Labor Day or other holiday party table. But I […]
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Yard sale signs are popping up faster than dandelions. Are you ready to start shopping for those vintage dishes that you’ve been looking for? I’ve made lists before, though it may seem unnecessary. This is not the grocery store, where you can expect certain inventory to be in stock. Why write a list when you’re […]
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There are always new ways to celebrate, and mix the best of vintage dishes with current holidays. When I saw this pairing of two Swedish Modern vintage glass pieces, an idea dawned. Let me serve chips and salsa for Cinco de Mayo in this vintage glassware, design inspired by a colder part of the world. […]
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I saw these cups with whimsical chickens on them and I liked them. Of course, the matching saucers were nowhere to be found. I had to have them for my collection of chicken dishes. It took me some time, but I found a suitable pair of saucers to go with them. The cups are in […]
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Itchy for green outdoors? Start indoors, with a table setting of garden theme dishes! Earth Day is on Monday this year. That makes this weekend an ideal time to bring out the summer-y garden and floral dishes, to satisfy your need to enjoy growing things. Start with any green dishes or glassware you might already […]
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Hello Spring is the name of a vintage Noritake dinnerware pattern, from the 1970s. It’s funky and chunky, representative of the full-on design sensibility of that era. We call it retro these days. The yellow flower especially makes me feel happy. I also enjoy the handcrafted feel of the stoneware, along with the big, orange […]
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Mix and match china, glass and linens on your table setting to create something original and unique. Bring the best of old and new together to delight your guests, even before they sit down to dinner. Painting with dinnerware, and accessories, too. A new Irish tea towel, in a linen and cotton blend, can work […]
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Finding special vintage dishes is fun! See what I brought home with me in recent weeks, including some extra special items.
My dishie antennae perk up when I see pieces of Mikasa’s Mediterrania line in my shopping travels. The patterns are so retro. Many of them show the best of modern style from the 1970s. The shapes are simple and sleek. The colors and motifs just work for me. I think Blue Bird is probably my […]