The Olde Christmas Cupboard

 Three seasons ago I mused about the passing of time and how fast it all flies. Many of you have already seen the changes I made in my English sideboard at that time. If you wish to see the post, you may find it again here. My sideboard has remained much the same until now.

 I like to incorporate my vintage collections into my seasonal decorating whenever I can. So I have replaced my brown transferware pieces with a different mishmash of china to usher in the new season.

 I'm not one for grand schemes during the holidays. Just before the big day we will put up a fresh evergreen tree. I love having a few live wreaths and a few sprigs to go with them all through the season. There's nothing like walking in at the end of the day to the smell of the woods to cheer you.

I picked up my first bunch of greens at the florist just before Thanksgiving and popped them into a large white ironstone pitcher of water. They're still soft and fragrant, ready for a photo shoot, and look festive just as they are in the vase.

I have used only a few pieces of my red vintage transferware as I want the overall effect to be mostly white. And I don't think that I will ever again buy a complete matching set of anything. What started out as thrifting out of necessity, has become my preferred style. I love looking at a mix of patterns and textures on my hutch.

 And my little doggies are a constant feature there.

I don't really know just how long I have loved and collected transferware, but I know my Victoria's fed the flames of my desire. The November 2000 issue pictured here carries an article on the process stating that "Transferware is so named because its designs are transferred by paper from engraved, inked copperplates to china forms."

As for influencing my mix and match style I offer you this observation from the article from ten years ago: "Rare indeed is the hostess who can bring out a whole set of antique dishes in a single pattern. But for a festive table, a play of patterns in a unifying color can be even more intriguing."  Well, there you have it!

 

  

"Rows of spotless plates winked from the shelves of the dresser from the far end of the room....

The ruddy brick floor smiled up at the smokey ceiling; the oaken settles, shiny with long wear, exchanged cheerful glances with each other; plates on the dresser grinned at pots on the shelf, and the merry firelight flickered and played over everything without distinction....

In the embracing light and warmth, warm and dry at last, with weary legs propped up in front of them, and a suggestive clink of plates being arranged on the table behind, it seemed to the storm-driven animals, now in safe anchorage, that the cold and tractless Wild Wood just left outside was miles and miles away, and all that they had suffered in it a half-forgotten dream."

Mr. Badger chapter, The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

 Thanks for joining in the festivities!

 Please come again soon.

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Links to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

A Delightsome Life for Victoria--A Return to Loveliness

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesdays Treasures

Savvy Southern Style for Boring to Better

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays

My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday