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Friday, January 20, 2012

Pretty China Plates


Of all the old-fashioned things I do, collecting odd china plates is the most antiquated of all. I know I'm not the only one. There are about five of us. And by odd I don't mean rare, but unmatched, lost, left behind, orphaned. 





I have a somewhat irrational idea that there is something I can do with a spare plate just because it's pretty. But that list of things is really quite small. Let's see, you can hang it like a picture (quite effectively at times), and put it on display on a shelf, and. . . and. . . what's that third thing? Oh yes, a plate is a plate is a plate. Even with a rose on it. . . .





In my defense, I have moved on quite a few things. One of my recent visitors remarked that it is looking less cluttered around here, and it pleased me more than anything else that could have been said, because I have been working on just that, so hard, for so long.





I wouldn't want to deceive you about decluttering, though. After all, here I have this pile of pretty plates right in front of you in plain sight as evidence against me. But the clearer my space becomes, the more "scope for imagination" I have, as Anne of Green Gables would say. I have a cleaner canvas for creativity, and the room to operate in. . . .





 I'll never be a skinny decorator (in EITHER sense of that word). I find too much delight in far too many things for that. There will always be a little pile of pretty plates in some corner around here. But soon I'm going to leave a little room for the imagination. And as Anne says, "It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it?"









This dish is pretty inside and out!










This sweet mark is on the plate pictured below, bottom right.



































I hope your weekend dreams come true!
(I'm off to see the Iron Lady.)

Jacqueline




Join me at
Pink Saturday

45 comments:

  1. I can certainly relate. When I go to a thrift store or antique store, I'm always on the lookout for pretty old plates with roses or pretty linens. I have more luck with the plates.

    Hard to stop buying them, isn't it? At least it is for me because well, since they aren't a set, I can always justify that this or that one is "new" and different since I don't have it already.

    My collection isn't as large or pretty as yours. I've always admired all the pretty dishes you share.

    I say cut down on the clutter elsewhere but if your heart desies your rose plates keep them....

    ....AND after you declutter your house, you're more than welcome to take a crack at mine!!!

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  2. I gravitate toward pretty plates and platters when I am out and about, too. Pretty flowers are sweet, but plain and simple is fine, too! They need to be rescued!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. What a great collection - such beautiful, soft colors! Linda

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  4. I adore the pretty serving dish with the lid. What do you call that? I had one just like it and sold it at my shop. So sad I did now that I see how pretty your photo is! Keep sharing. I love stopping by.

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  5. So pretty! I feel the same way about old plates, when I see them I always want to bring them home! I have one
    plate rack and it's full!

    Enjoy them!

    Jane
    Flora Doora

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  6. Beautiful dishes and I love your Anne quotes too!

    Hope you have a good weekend,
    Carolyn

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  7. Don't gasp in horror but..... I do smashed china mosaics. I think I have taken a hammer to a pattern or two of yours. I know, I know..... but they are orphaned too (well sometimes I luck out and get a whole set) think of it as a new version of recycling.

    Next week maybe I'll do a post on SMASHED plates. I've made several old ladies shiver at the thought!

    ~Bliss~

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  8. I, too, for years have collected random or orphaned pieces of china. They make the most beautiful and interesting table settings!
    Your post is lovely!
    HPS!
    ♥ Jil

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  9. We call them "take away plates." When we take cookies, etc. to someone's house, we tell them that the plate is not to be returned. They may either keep it or pass it on the next time that they take food to another. We keep a stack of them, picked up inexpensively at antique stores and estate sales for just that purpose. Your orphans are lovely. Cherry Kay

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  10. I LOVE vintage dishes.And roses well I am a sucker for roses.But I don't have as many as I once did.I can actually resist when I see them now.But if the mood is right some still make there way home.You have a lovely collection.I can see why you have them.They really are pretty.

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  11. Pretty pretty! I love roses on old plates and platters and seem to be collecting them too. I have to be careful when I'm in thrift stores - they call out to me. :) Have a lovely weekend.

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  12. Pretty post today as usual! I love the handle on the covered dish..

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  13. Such a beautiful post! Love the roses.

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  14. Lovely dishes. And you sound like a fellow "Anne" lover. Sometimes, I think the homes we attempt to create are an attempt to find a way back to that lovely house that we created in our imaginations when we pictured "Green Gables." I always loved the little house that Anne and pals lived in when they were in college, the one they rented from the old ladies. Remember that one? What was its name?
    Nice post.

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  15. Beautiful dishes! I'm so drawn to pink porcelain, say, from dishes to pink accessories, specially vintage. The covered dish with the pretty handles I just love! Pretty post, thanks for sharing. Have a super weekend.
    FABBY

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  16. Beautiful! Just lovely!

    You are such a sweetheart.

    Decluttering is danged near impossible for me, too - but all we can do is TRY!

    Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!!

    Love those pretty dishes!

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  17. Jacqueline,
    I love roses, dear friend. This post has memesirized my thoughts for quite some time. I, have roses in the Master bedroom. The flower of choice at our wedding...sweetheart roses...in pink! Thank you for this lovely post!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  18. You have such great taste. I love the rose patterns. It's my favorite flower.

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  19. Though they might be miss-matched they go together beautifully. I love the covered compote ~ lovely

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  20. Hi J,
    Just what I needed a burst of spring!! I am having serious dish lust! That covered casseroles top is AMAZING... every pic is gorgeous, as is every dish... where to keep them all!!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  21. Love the beautiful dishes you've collected and especially that covered terrine. They may be mismatched but are all so lovely. I can see a whole table done in them!

    Nann

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  22. BEAUTIFUL pinks... I often think I could "save that plate"... but I honestly would have to get rid of a bunch of stuff before I could add... but you're inspiring me here! maybe I will!!

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  23. These are absolutely beautiful. I love the roses!
    Happy Pink Saturday!

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  24. I so love that china,especially the vegetable dish with lid. Lovely

    xx jeanetteann

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  25. Beautiful dishes and roses are amazing on these ! Have great weekend !

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  26. Jacqueline~
    You are one of the reasons I missed blogging for so long!
    Such a peaceful spot to pop into!
    Happy PS!
    Smiles~
    C

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  27. Dolci e meravigliosi questi piatti!Buona domenica!Rosetta

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  28. I love your thoughts here. I am always adding and subtracting here too. My sister had lunch here the other day and said " My gosh you have a lot of stuff." So I am in the more is more camp right now I suppose. The orphaned dishes could not have found a better place than yours.

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  29. I love mismatched plates. I have a fetish for them. Can't resist them. I love setting the table with them. I just think they are beautiful. Yours are just lovely. Have a great weekend ;-)

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  30. i love your images. Happy to have just found your blog.

    MC

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  31. I have a weakness for these too. Pink roses on white--so pretty!

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  32. Very,very nice blog. Truly inspiring.
    Following......Thank you Kelly.

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  33. Love your gorgeous plates and dishes. Truly lovely. I adore Anne of Green Gables!

    Barb

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  34. You have such a lovely blog. Everything is just so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs~Clara

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  35. Such pretty dishes, I have that same problem collecting dishes. I barely have anymore room but I cant resist a pretty dish or cup ... I try to refrain myself lol most of the time. Have a wonderful weekend. with love Janice

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  36. This is an absolutely beautiful collection!

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  37. I always buy pretty dishes when I find them, they are hard to resist. I think it freaks my daughter out that I have so many and some day they will all be hers! Laura

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  38. you're right about not being the only one. i, too, have quite a few of vintage plates and tureens in similar patterns.

    at a great local antiques and vintage item store here in ventura i saw a great idea on a wall of orphaned soup tureen lids hung up with plate hangers. they looked gorgeous.

    just for inspiration should you care to try.

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  39. I think for those of us who love dishes (I caught the dish bug from my, Mom) heaven might look like the warehouse for Replacements.com. Full of lovely dishes.
    Your covered dish is so pretty. Thank you for sharing it!

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  40. I'm late to the party but wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this post. I spent the past weekend hitting all the local flea markets looking for rose plates for a wall grouping in my bedroom...did manage to find a couple plus a pretty pink and white transferware one. So much for decluttering... but such fun!
    Cheryl

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  41. My family and friends know that I never met an orphaned plate -- at yard, church or thrift sales -- that I didn't want to bring home. (And usually do!) The tureen in your post is just beautiful. I have one that I use to hold my week's eggs on the sideboard. Thank you for sharing such beautiful images, yet again!

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