Pink Linen, and Wishing I never sold these things!!

The funny thing that happened to me when I began selling things, was that

I didn't seem to care about possessing things anymore.  Many wonderful antiques

and vintage items went through my hands.  I had admired many of these items from

the pages of magazines or in online images, and suddenly as I began selling old things,

these amazing old things came to me.  This pair of antique brass altar sticks was an 

amazing find, brought to me by my picker.  My picker knew the types of things I loved,

and one day she waltzed into my shop with these.  However popular I thought they might be,

they took a long time to sell, and finally they did sell to a designer in NYC area.

I do wish I had them still.  However I recently traded some of my purple transferware

to my blogging friend Cindy, of Edith and Evelyn Vintage blog.  She has a nice Etsy

shop filled with old Frenchy and Italian things.  I spotted a pair of Italian 

candlesticks, that will be soon on their way to me, as we happily traded our treasures.

She had just announced she was bitten by the Purple Transferware collecting bug,

so I offered her a grouping in exchange for a few things from her shop.

 The other thing near the top of my list, that I wished I never sold,

 was this stunning Florentine screen. Why oh why???

Florentine is a decorative style of Italian furniture and accessories.  Its very lightweight and 

has patterns burnished into the wood and highlighted with gold.  Usually the items 

may have a color with the gold, or more commonly they are offwhite and gold. 

This screen was in a pink with gold and it was GORGEOUS.

(lovely screen on left, ugly vanity seat needing a makeover on right)
It was in terrific shape and I adored it, but I did not feel the need to possess it.

I could spank myself now, as I wish I had it, and I doubt I will ever see another like it.

It too, came from my picker gal.  This piece never hit the sales floor as a woman 

who worked for me asked to buy it, and I gave her a helluva deal. 

Oh to turn back the clock.

The pattern and overall effect of the pink and gold was stunning.

This was a most interesting chair, and I probably wish I could have this one 

back as well.  But it would have had to be reupholstered and now I realize I could have 

done a decent job on it myself.  I think it would have been fun in a pink linen....

 I would put it in my bathroom and pile towels on the seat,

and place it next to the tub.

Speaking of pink linen, I just ordered a bolt of Irish Linen in Pink. 

(My source is the Online Fabric Store.)

 I had an  impulse to make some new draperies for one of the rooms

 in my home....so stay tuned, I think its  arriving tomorrow!

Image source: Elle Decor Magazine

This dining room is by designer Suzanne Kasler, one of my favorites. 

Blush pink is all the rage, and it finally has gotten to me as well.

I feel the need for pink!

 Do you think it could have anything to do with having a

granddaughter on the way?

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Gold and Pink Lusterware

There has been so much snow the past two weeks I found myself

planning the perfect Valentine tea party.  Not that I have tea parties

mind you, I am more of a dinner party thrower....but let me back

up and tell you how this all came about.

While shopping last weekend at an antique shop

I noticed these bright gold plates tucked inside a bookcase.  

They stuck out like sore thumbs in this shop

filled with rustic pieces.  I picked one up off the stack and flipped 

it over and sure enough, there was a stamp with a Makers mark and France. 

 I must have a built in sensor for all things French.  I was especially 

happy to see there was quite a stack at a very good price.  

So they all came home with me where I researched the maker.  

First of all, I couldn't even read what it said. 

 So I just posted it on Facebook,

 and several friends came to the rescue and told me it said 

Sarreguemines.  

It is an old pottery company located in Lorraine France, 

and they make  mostly Faience country style patterned pottery. 

 I searched some more and did not see one item that was all gold. 

 So back to Facebook and several of my pals told me they

 were likely chargers for desert plates!

Look for clues on the back of your dishes, 

then head to the internet to try to identify them.

This mark means the dishes were made between 1920- 1950.

Pretty cool! Different marks by the same company indicate different

times of production.  Anyway, so now I knew who made them and when,

but really wasn't sure what they were used for.

However when more than a few suggested 

they were chargers for desert plates.

 Then one of my oldest FB friends, Mikey Fuller 

(who bought a chandelier from me many moons ago)

said they looked like Lusterware... 

I am pretty sure they were all right! Lusterware chargers!

 So that got me to thinking of a desert party, perhaps

with pink champagne or tea if you were so inclined...

with pink frosted cupcakes and pink

macaroons! I pulled out my collection of pink and gold lusterware

 teacups and some antique  desert plates and pulled it all together.

What is lusterware exactly?

Lusterware: A type of pottery that has a glaze mixed with metallic to give it

the effect of iridescence, which is produced by metallic oxides in an 

overglaze process, then treated to a secondary firing in the kiln. 

It is an old process that started before the Mesopotamian age. 

 Pretty amazing!

I recall seeing my grandparents had two copper lusterware pitchers in their

china cabinet.  It was very collectible.  The lusterware can be silver, gold, 

copper or rose colored depending upon how much of the gold

 is used in the process. 

Its Easy Elegance alright~a remnant of linen with pale pink 

roses piled high with gold and pink lusterware!  Add some pretty

flowers and baked goods and you have all you need.

These roses are actually great fakes!

 I found them at HomeGoods,  they have some fantastic florals.

The best part? They never wilt and look quite realistic.  

With Valentines looming I think I am almost ready.

Perhaps a private party for deux?

The Gold Lusterware is going to make things feel very 

Age of the Innocence I think...indulgent and luxurious and 

over the top!  So take a peek into your china cabinet and 

drag out some old collectibles like depression glass, or milk glass

or fine crystal and china and have some fun.

Mix your old china with some new and make it your style!

Note: Partially sponsored by HomeGoods as part of my participation in their Pinterest Program, Happy by Design. 

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