I get this question a lot: What is the value of a certain pattern of vintage china. The short answer is the same as for other antiques and collectibles: whatever someone will pay you for it. There are places to research the prices others have used when listing these dishes for sale. Sites like Replacements, […]
Time to wish my vintage china blog another happy birthday! For year No. 7, I decided to go with some vintage clear glass, a theme that’s a little more Big Girl than some of the prior, younger years. Just like you might have something new when your daughter reaches the seventh birthday milestone. I’ve got […]
Old friends come in the form of vintage dinnerware, as well as people. They are the china and dishes that you remember from childhood, from grandma’s house, or those pieces and patterns that connect to happy memories from days gone by. Pfaltzgraff makes a number of patterns that have been made for more than 40 […]
Halloween is near, and it’s time to raid the cupboards for some dishes to use as the “bones” of your table setting, whether for a dinner, a party, or a casual snack. The bulk of your table setting – the plates, cups and bowls – can be as close as your kitchen. One of […]
When I see a glass pickle dish on the shelf, in a thrift store or perhaps at a sale, I have to look at it. I’m three-quarters of the way to buying it before I even pick it up. I love these things, because I love to use them to serve pickles – for holiday […]
Whether you’re serving candy corn or pizza, some colorful dishes can bring sparkle to your table for Halloween, and for parties on the day or the weekend after. It’s also an opportunity, once again, to play with mix and match table setting ideas. Here I’ve brought in my very favorite Poultrygeist mug. He turns […]
Why I won’t have a Downton Abbey dinnerware set, but you might want to. I like mixing my collection of vintage dinnerware and glassware, to create different table settings. That doesn’t mean I don’t use classic china dishes, just that my party style is eclectic. One important element of an authentic Downton Abbey table is […]
Federal Glass was the maker of eye-catching, now vintage glassware, and pieces are still fairly easy to find in secondary marketplaces. I especially notice the drinking glasses, tumblers and coffee mugs that I see in my travels. Thrift stores often have long rows of glass items, displayed on open shelves. Look for colorful clear tumblers […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]