Monday, January 28, 2013

Poor Richard's Almanac: Ironstone Envy

"Good sense is a thing all need, few have, and none think they want."
~Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack

Blast this blogosphere!  A pox on the internet!  It seems as though every nook and cranny of cyberspace is TAUNTING me with beautiful ironstone collections like this one . . .

{via Country Living}

and like this one . . .

{via Pinterest}

and like this one.

{via Frog Goes to Market}


The only serving collection I own is a pile of mismatched Ziploc and Rubbermaid containers.  And just when I think I'm getting really classy by whipping out the Tupperware for special occasions, I think back on these perfectly styled shelves with their perfectly aged ironstone and creamware and realize that my kitchen has been weighed in the balance and found wanting.

But so has my bank account.

So what to do when you have ironstone envy?

Well, as good old Benjamin Franklin would advise, you simply make do or do without.

Today, I choose to make do.

I dug through my cupboards and discovered that I had a small and humble collection of lovely white dishes and accessories.  No ironstone here.  Nothing antique.  Just a few of my favorite gifts and bargain store finds.

But where to put them?  I'd like to say that I have a perfectly chippy French armoire just waiting to be filled my with faux ironstone collection.

But I don't.

What I DO have is a library bookshelf.  I know it may sound odd to put teapots and scalloped plates in a library instead of a dining room or kitchen, but teapots and books go perfectly together in my mind.

Don't you think?


I love rich the wood looks against the clean white accessories . . .


and how fresh the dishes look against the warm backdrop.



My faux ironstone collection isn't going to attract any collectors or wow any antique lovers  . . .



 but at least it is a step above showcasing Tupperware.

Sharing at . . .



17 comments:

  1. Well I have putting kitchen and dining things in bookshelves for years! Looks wonderful, what you've done. On my mantel are a lot of white pitchers. Don't know how much of it is stoneware. My readers have sent me some, some I've gotten from Etsy or eBay. A little at a time.
    Brenda

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  2. You have some beautiful pieces, Erika, they look perfect in your library shelves!!

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  3. Those really are very lovely pieces and deserve to be displayed wherever you choose. I think it looks great!

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  4. Erika, you have great pieces and I love the library bookshelves! I think your display is just as dreamy!! What is it with ironstone? Timeless? It's just so beautiful! Love your fleur de lis plate.
    Karen

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  5. Ironstone makes me week in the knees! So so beautiful and creamy white! I love how you placed them in your bookshelf!

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  6. Your collection looks great to me...and SO much better than tupperware! Your display is wonderful-xo Diana

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  7. I think that your white collection is fabulous and It looks very attractive on your book shelves. The dark wood is a very good backdrop the white.

    Hope you have a great week.

    hugs,
    Penny

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  8. I love what you did with your white dishes! I also have a tea pot and some dishes in one of my bookshelves. What a great look, and you did it so well! Beautiful.

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  9. Yes, I have been hit with a case of the "gimmies" on white ironstone. I have two real pieces. The rest, well it's make-do. But, the effect is similar no matter. It is white and if it gets broken, I might cry but it isn't antique....TJ Maxx is a great place to get white ware. It works. Afterall, I couldn't do without, LOL.
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  10. Awesome bookshelves, and very well done with your white collection. The white DOES spark off the dark wood, and vice-versa. A match made in Heaven :) Who says it has to be EXPENSIVE and/or COLLECTIBLE in order to be worthwhile? Oh please!

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  11. I have the same problem. Just seeing all this pictures of Ironstone on your post has put butterflies in my tummy! I love the beauty and simplicity of it. You did an awesome job "making do" and incorporating your pieces in the library shelves. Your dishes are gorgeous and even if it isn't expensive, it definitely looks it on the shelves. :) Great job!

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  12. I think it looks great! I wish I had those collections too but you did a great job ;) Have a great week!

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  13. I like how it turned out! (I don't have any ironstone either...I pretend too!)

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  14. Haha, I would take the books over the plates any day! But I do love me a good dish display...

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  15. Yes! Love the touches of white in the darker shelves. Beautiful job pulling together what you have. Thanks for linking up :)

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