One of the gaps in my ironstone collection has been these bread and butter size cafe plates. I was lucky enough to find some in two different places this weekend. It's funny how what may be prevalent in one market, or part of the country, is rare as hen's teeth in another. Vintage ironstone plates and bowls don't turn up here much. But platters seem to be plentiful. Here the plates are displayed on an iris motif fifties print tablecloth in pale pinks and greens. These colors have been turning up a lot for me this season.
I paid four dollars each for a matching set of four, and then found two others at one dollar each. Good enough! We use our ironstone everyday and six small plates will round things out nicely.
In addition, I picked up a set of six plain new salad/luncheon size cafe plates at Williams-Sonoma. You can see how shiny they are in comparison. I just love the soft matte surface that the vintage ones have. And for everyday use you will never find anything more durable. They may break if they are dropped from a height onto a brick floor, but they will almost never chip in regular use as your average china does. They make a nice ringing sound when washing up too! (I hand wash dishes.)
It's easy to dress up plain dishes by mixing in your other collections. Two of my favorite platters are stacked up here. World Market had this India pink wrapping paper and raffia that I found irresistible.
Everything is corralled in a vintage market basket on my dining room table for a cheery, arty, and very temporary vignette. I have to find a place for my new plates in my eensy kitchen!
So that's what's on my tabletop. What's on yours?
(I've been working harder at keeping mine cleared off and nice looking.)
I hope you're all rested up for the week ahead, my friends.
Jacqueline
