Ivy and Elephants: vases

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Lady Sings the Blues Part 2

Blue and white is classic decorating at its finest. Many things are trends that come and go, but blue and white has been "in" since the Chinese fully developed it in the 14^th century.

Beautiful groupings can be made from priceless antiques or your local import/export store.

This large planter was a great find at my local antique store. I was about to pay (too much) when I noticed the crack (hairline) on the underside… SCORE!! Half price and the perfect home for my fern. Deals can be made if you’re not too picky.

Speaking of planters, I found this gorgeous (heavy) wrought iron one at a local thrift shop. I painted it white and loaded on the blue and white.

My plants seem very happy here on this sunny landing.

I held out on you guys a bit with my “Feeling Cagey” post. Forgive me, but I was saving these beauties for our blue and white feature.

This little birdie likes his new larger home with all the fancy grille work.

I just love my cage in the kitchen! It stores all my blue and white china. Cups, saucers, plates, and bowls right on the counter within handy reach. This saves much needed cabinet space, and adds a decorative element.

Doesn’t he look happy? Home and dry my friend.

The birdcage isn’t the only grille work holding blue and white treasure.

This scale holds sugar and tea at the ready.

Anyone for a cuppa?

This huge cage is the feature in my dining room. I originally wanted to mount it on the wall in the niche, but it was too heavy and hung out too far. So I placed it on this little demilune table I found (for a song) and of course started fussing with it. See the Russian egg tassel?

Peek inside, pretty porcelain and yummy jewels on the ground floor.

And the upstairs even has a little chandelier I made and yes, it shines! (Added a little push light to the ceiling. The door handles are jewels and tassels, too.)

TADA! Here she is in all her finery. I added more blue and white plates and a platter to fill the niche. Oh! Do you spy that bargain planter? See why I had to have it. This is one of my favorite things and I had sooo much fun with it.

We hope you’ve enjoyed hearing us sing the blues. What’s got you blue? Leave us a comment, we love hearing from you!

Patti

Next Post: “Cloche Encounters”

We're Linking to the Following Blogs:

Sat Nite Special @	Funky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sundays @	The Tablescaper

Share the Love Wednesday @	Very Merry Vintage Style
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday @	{Primp}
Wow Us Wednesday @	Savvy Southern Style
French Inspiration Thursday @	The French Cupboard
Club G.W. @	Charm Bracelet Diva
Transformation Thursday @	The Shabby Chic Cottage
Treasure Hunt Thursday@	Blue Creek Home
Thrifty Thursday@	Tales From Bloggeritaville
Open House Party Thursdays @	No Minimalist Here
Vintage Inspiration Friday @	Common Ground
Treasure Chest Friday @	White Ironstone Cottage
Inspiration Friday @	At the Picket Fence
Fridays Unfolded @	Stuff and Nonsense
Show and Tell Friday @	My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday @	French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home @	The Charm of Home

This post has been featured!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Lady Sings the Blues Part I

Billie Holiday ~ Lady Sings the Blues

Patti and I not only love great jazz and blues artists such as our favorite Billie Holiday, but we have a passion, an obsession if you will, for blue and white porcelains and pottery. Wedgwood, Spode, Delft, Royal Doulton, Tarjay (Target), you name it we love it.

This little Delft blue basket from the Netherlands sits atop my mother's jewelry box she received when she was in junior high school. Don't you just love windmills?

Speaking of windmills, there are so many wonderful Delft blue windmills out there. They are so much fun to collect.

This Delft blue piece reminds me of my dad who always had mortars and pestles around the house. In fact, he still collects them.

This Italian tea for one is one of my favorites. It has the cutest butterfly perched right on the top of the lid.

One of my blue and white weaknesses is for Chinese porcelains. This vase sits on top of my dresser and adds such great color to the room and enhances the floral arrangement that is right beside it behind the clock.

In the window of the girl's bathroom, (ok my bathroom), is this porcelain piece with a very feminine shape. Do you remember that jewelry birdcage from Feeling Cagey Part I? If you missed it click here.

This miniature porcelain set sits below the jewelry birdcage

One of our favorite antique dealers was cleaning out her home and well let's just say this piece didn't make it in the store from her car.

Two things my husband loves this time of year. Mangoes and Bocce ball. These delicious mangoes came from my Dad's house and the decorative balls came from Home Goods. Hopefully hubby won't take them out to play with.

Since we are in the kitchen, let me just say blue and whites are every where. They grace the top of my cabinets, and counter tops.

These lovely mangoes came from Patti's house. She has a beautiful mango tree growing in her yard. When I was a little girl, I would stare at that Aunt Jemima napkin holder for the longest time. She just always looked so happy sitting in my grandmother's kitchen. Now she sits happily in mine keeping my pot holder handy for me.

This Wedgwood bread platter is also one of my favorite pieces. First of all because I got it for little of nothing on eBay and for some reason my garlic bread just taste so much better when I serve from it.

I was reading one of my Nell Hill's decorating books and I saw two beautiful candle holders with a decorative ball on top of each one and well you know what happened next. Voila!!!

Blue and white porcelains enhance any arrangement. In my living room they sit amongst pieces from Africa and South America. I placed this miniature Delft blue saucer in front of Bobo the Elephant from Thomas Blackshear's Ellie and Bobo of the Jamboree collection, you know in case he gets thirsty.

I absolutely love history. Having this Pullman Porter's cap is an absolutely honor, therefore it sits atop a beautiful Italian porcelain cake stand.

Well I hoped you enjoyed a taste of my blue and white collection. Tell us about your favorite piece of blue and white in your or a friend's collection?

Stay tuned for Lady Sings the Blues Part II.