04 Aug Vintage China
This will come as no big surprise to all of you…I like pretty things.
More specifically, I adore feminine pretty.
Although my aesthetic likes some tension and thus always calls for a little quirky ugly (good ugly that is…think old oil paintings of captains in baroque gold frames) my brain/hands always reach for those things that are just simply lovely to look at.
And there’s not much more gorgeous than vintage china.
{photos via Pinterest}
I just love it.
Always have, always will.
Specifically, I adore the gorgeous colour and delicate pattern that make each piece distinctive…I love how when layered together, a collection tells a story.
There’s nothing predictable about a china collection…a new look can be achieved just by layering differently.
Perhaps what appeals to me most about these pretties is how despite being forged in history, a china collection seems to inherently defy convention…it’s not supposed to match…it’s not supposed to be perfect…it just supposed to be pretty.
Hell, it even looks good in a dishwasher or when mixed with weirdly ugly things…
I actually have the beginnings of a collection, thanks to generations of relatives and flea market finds…with this whole kitchen thing, my desire to hoard more is at an all time high.
I spent the day unpacking everything and setting it out so that Meredith can style the kitchen while I’m away….
I love what I have already but of course, I want more…always.
The good news on that is that the stuff won’t kill my/your retirement fund..a cup and saucer can be picked up for next to nothing.
My best advice if you wish to start or add to a collection of your own is to first hit up your relatives…after that
flea markets and antique shops are your best bet.
If online shopping is more your bag, you MUST check out this shop…
I discovered Antiquaria while visiting the lovely Now Stylebook girls- they posted about it a few weeks ago and my jaw literally dropped.
The brilliant thing about this amazing store is that you can buy place settings of coordinated miss-matched pieces…and if you’re one of those lucky ladies who is about to tie the knot, you can even register here so that people can purchase settings for you.
It’s seriously brilliant.
See…
I literally die over this…and PS, they have other gorgeous goodies too…an online shopping must if you ask me.
Oh and just in case you’re in the market for a little edge in your china collection, feast your eyes on this…
Beat Up Creations takes vintage plates and then transforms them into quirky works of art…hilariously cool if you ask me.
So in case you couldn’t tell from this post, I ADORE vintage china…it’s just so damn pretty.
What say you?
xo
Things That Sparkle
Posted at 08:54h, 04 AugustI absolutely adore my vintage china, and luckily I inherited my grandmother’s entire collection. I need to do a post about it one day!
Lori
Posted at 08:59h, 04 AugustGrowing up in the South, I’ve seen a lot of vintage china, but unfortunately, I never really appreciated it. Your photos are beautiful and brings back fond memories for me…
Thanks,
Lori
http://www.lorimayinteriors.com/blog
Cara
Posted at 09:02h, 04 Augustlove it love it love it!
Lilac and Grey
Lia
Posted at 09:09h, 04 AugustI’m obsessed with vintage china, especially teacups and saucers and dessert plates. I constantly hit up local thrift stores but I’ve pretty much tapped them all out 🙂 I am going to start hitting up the flea market and antique malls. I’ve also started to collect vintage Carnival Glass too…. my hoarding is at an all time high as well 🙂 Thanks for this lovely post, I’m dying for some of those patterns!
xoxo
Lia
Emily Marie
Posted at 09:12h, 04 AugustI am so with you here! Vintage china is so elegant and has a unique feminine touch to it.
Ande
Posted at 09:22h, 04 AugustSooo loving all of these!! I want them all now 🙂 Its seriously beautiful! I have a nice start to a collection thanks to my grandmother…she loved antiques and vintage china. I think a shopping trip is in order as you have inspired me to ad to!
THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE
Posted at 09:22h, 04 AugustI’ve always loved vintage china! I have some of my grandmothers and also some of J’s great grandmothers. They make a fabulous combination 🙂
Hope you’re having a good week, sweetie! xoxo
Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful}
Posted at 09:28h, 04 AugustI really is the best and more beautiful thing around…your collection is AMAZING. My goal is so someday have a collection at least half that amazing (c: The little tea cups with the green are *divine*!
A Flair for Vintage Decor
Posted at 09:30h, 04 AugustSo pretty! I am always drawn to the lovely feminine patterns in vintage china pieces…and cannot wait to see it styled in your new kitchen! Take care, Caroline
Amanda Hill
Posted at 09:35h, 04 AugustYes, yes, yes! Lovely!
Tobe | Because It's Awesome
Posted at 10:37h, 04 Augustmy jaw is honestly on the floor. SUCH beautiful pieces here!! yours are particularly fine, lady.
my dad spent 11 years finishing my great grandmother’s china collection, and gave it to me on my wedding day. it’s just stunning, and i dream of having the storage space to find more great pieces to mix and match with it.
Marianne {Style For Living}
Posted at 11:04h, 04 AugustI’m a sucker for pretty china too! I love the set my grandmother gave me, so pretty and feminine.
Leah
Posted at 11:59h, 04 Augustthanks for sharing all of your prettiness every day! something with history, beauty, & practicality…you can’t go wrong.
Brandi
Posted at 12:03h, 04 AugustI’ve hit up my family already exactly like you said! Another thing I like to hoard is vintage tins. They can be used in almost the same way and my clumsy self can’t break them, win win!
hollyG
Posted at 12:23h, 04 AugustI say amen sister! I’m in love with any and all as well. And I’ve also been fortunate to have inherited a few pieces already that my Mom held onto when her Mom passed away that was actually my great grandmothers!!! Yep, awesome!! So beautiful - just wish I had a place to display it all. Can’t wait to see your kitchen all styled up.
Brittany {Gallery No. Eight}
Posted at 12:28h, 04 AugustLove it!! My grandma has a collection of different teacups and saucers and it’s so pretty! Every one is different and it’s so fun to pick through and find your favourite 🙂
Julip Made
Posted at 12:30h, 04 AugustWow you have a gorgeous collection! My aunt just brought some of my grandmother’s china down for me on a recent visit and I am in love! Now I just wish I had open shelving to display it.
meenal@maison marigold
Posted at 12:33h, 04 AugustThat is just too much gorgeousness in one post, Christine!! I love mismatched vintage china…xx meenal
Debby
Posted at 12:52h, 04 AugustLove this post. You know I am a lover of all things pretty too. Off to check out their cute little shop! xo
The Now
Posted at 13:43h, 04 AugustGorgeous post - gorgeous china! And thanks for the shout-out about Antiquaria… I actually ordered my first thing from there, and it came beautifully packaged with a hand-calligraphered thank you note! xoxo
Celine Henke
Posted at 14:35h, 04 AugustAhhhh so pretty! Reminds me of my grandmother’s china 🙂
Kahli
Posted at 15:03h, 04 AugustOh my all of these are lovely. I should start collecting vintage china
Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy
Posted at 15:30h, 04 AugustI knew a vintage china post was coming up because I saw your pins on Pinterest! Ha ha I love it all too!
Connie @ Sogni e Sorrisi
Posted at 15:56h, 04 AugustOff to check out the shop!
The Zhush
Posted at 16:44h, 04 AugustBest round up of vintage china ever, those transformed pieces are too much!:)
blue fruit
Posted at 17:41h, 04 AugustI say me adore it too!
Tragic that vintage china is getting very expensive in Australia now - if it is still cheap in the US then I am insanely jealous. I am slowly adding to my collection of yellow + orange based teacup/saucer/cakeplates trio sets, but it is a LONG process! I’m only up to 6!
An absolutely beautiful post! Virginia x
Tamra {walkswithBella}
Posted at 18:37h, 04 AugustI love vintage china and always adored my mom’s collection in her china cabinet. I wish I had room to collect multiple sets. beautiful images.
Designwali
Posted at 19:38h, 04 Augustpretty just makes you feel good.
Kelly @ JAX does design
Posted at 22:06h, 04 AugustI love the colours of the old china cups & saucers. And I agree, they look even better with different patterns mixed together. That being said, I absolutely love the flowered cup & saucer in the very first picture - the flowers are so beautiful, and the colours are fab!
Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely}
Posted at 23:39h, 04 AugustHow pretty! I always admired my grandmother’s collection of beautiful vintage tea sets and this has brought so many memories back for me. So lovely! xx
Marcus Design
Posted at 02:30h, 05 AugustUuughhh, I just want to have a GIANT overtly girlie tea party when I see this gorgeous post Christine!! So what d’ya say, party time at my place?? Hugs!
Nancy xo
Gild and Grace
Posted at 04:17h, 05 AugustOh I love vintage china too! Beautiful post 🙂 Abbey x
Ann
Posted at 05:26h, 05 AugustSo nice and pretty ♥
Love their designs,
very girly ♥
Anne-Marie @ 10 Rooms
Posted at 09:10h, 05 AugustI think I like ti just as much for it’s beauty as for the rituals it represents, a time when people took time for each other, that art of the tea… such a lovely post.
my favorite and my best- MFAMB to you
Posted at 11:23h, 05 Augusti looooove stacks of dishes.
Sarah MacMillan {Prairie Perch}
Posted at 17:31h, 05 AugustEeeek! Vintage china is the best. Way better than any of the new stuff out there (in my opinion). Off to check out Antiquaria.
Aylin at Lila Moonlight
Posted at 10:13h, 08 AugustAs a china collector, I just LOVED this post so much. You have a great collection and so looking forward to see them on Final PKG : )