CHINA WALLS/Decorative Dinnerware

I realized at a very young age that I had a love for dinnerware. I remember being a little girl and admiring my mom's beautiful mahogany Duncan Phyfe china cabinet filled with these beautiful dishes. There were the ones we used only on Sundays: scallop edged plates with soft coral-colored roses and green leaves. Then the special occasion ones had a ivory background with pink rose bouquets in the center, as well as, along the edges with a 14k gold trim.

I felt so privileged when she allowed me to help with the cleaning of the china cabinet. She taught me how to care for them and wash them properly and how to store them safely. Though the cabinet was a beautiful piece of furniture, I always hated when we had to put the dishes away. You could only see a small portion of the design behind the glass in the doors. I didn't want to wait until the next Sunday, special occasion, or cleaning day to enjoy their beauty. I decided then and there that when I grew up, I would have my pretty dishes out to use and see them all of the time. :)

Well, that's exactly what I've done! My love for dinnerware has never wavered. I began by collecting different teacups and teapots. My first pieces were the blue transferware. Blue has always been my favorite color. When I saw the cobalt blue of transferware, it just set a light off inside of me and it was love at first sight. ;) I didn't care if they were authentic pieces, as long as it was something I liked. Later I started also collecting stoneware and porcelain pieces.

In my kitchen, I have two shelves above the patio door holding plates and cups. They echo the plates on my wallpaper border. On another wall, I have a partial set of limoge fruit pattern dinnerware. Below the shelf, hanging on pegs, are blue and white pieces in a windmill pattern.

The dining area, which is actually a corner of the livingroom, has a large mirror with shelves. I have a china set and a demitasse set, both in floral patterns, displayed on the mirror shelves. Something else I remember my mom doing, was always having the dining table set with full place settings. This may not be very practical if you don't have a separate dining area, but it does make for an elegant look! Though I don't have the separate dining area, there is only my son and I and we hardly ever sit at the table. ;)

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic