Collecting Chelsea: Having Tea

The funny thing about this picture is that is a great illustration of how my mom's input always seems to make my work a little bit better. 

I have been taking photos of my collections on my iPhone so that I can have a visual index of the pieces I own with me at all times. It has been so helpful and I recommend taking the time to do it.

I arranged some of my antique china (the pattern is called Chelsea or Grandmother's China) and at the spur of the moment it occured to me to spell out EAT with some Ikea cookies that I love. I thought it was hilarious and was ready to go. 

My mom looked at it and said "No, No! Spell: tea" which was remarkable easy because its the same 3 letters - duh. She was absolutely right, of course. 

TEA is perfect and here is the beautiful image for your enjoyment.

Chelsea: My Darling Collection can finally fill the Plate Rack

My heart's delight - my vintage China collection of Chelsea (aka Grandmother's China) on my plate rack. I like to call my decorating style Swedish Beach house - seaside colors and Swedish touches like plate racks and oval back chairs. 

My mom and aunt love antiquing and have been adding to my collection for years. This pretty display has come together one piece at a time and that makes it precious to me. I just reached the point where I can make a full display in the family room.  

I add touches of lavender around the room to relate back to this display. The style of this china pattern reminds me of Laura Ashley in her hay day. Periwinkle marks that look like fleur de lis or small floral clusters are evenly spaced on pure white china.  A few special pieces are enhanced with lustre which adds a glint of copper.  

My mom, aunt and I are planning to have tea together from this set soon.  We laugh that dinner is out of the question - we can't find any dinner plates! But isn't that is the fun of collecting.  

It is a sentimental hunt for the final few pieces I need to makes things right. Wouldn't you agree?

Spatterware Violas

Do you know what I mean when I say "Spatterware Violas?"  I'm posting a link to a website that sells new enamelware in the Spatterware style, so that you can see what I mean.  I have a vintage enamelware gravy boat in a light blue Spatterware pattern and it looks so much like these violas!  In truth, this speckled variety is called "Viola Columbine."  

I made a little bouquet of violas (and pink and white stock) and put them in a vintage blue glass bottle.  Love love love.  Doesn't it look charming with my collection of Chelsea china?  I love having fresh flowers on this bakers rack in the entryway and these violas will tide me over until my deep blue clematis blooms.  Spring is here and I can finally have bouquets in the house!

Decorating with Flowers

My favorite time of year!  I can finally pick something and bring it in the house to decorate.  This is the baker's rack in my foyer, loaded with my collection of antique Chelsea china.  I've been collecting for a few years now and this year I hope to finally find the illusive teapot.  Can't have a tea party without a teapot!

For this week's vignette, I've taken two of my small flat disc vases from CB2 (a modern division of Crate and Barrel) and put one bloom from my clematis vine in each vase.  I love how this looks - both dreamy and vibrant.

Dinner Plate

When I say that my clematis has been producing blooms as large as a dinner plate, I'm not kidding!

I have my collection of Chelsea china on a baker's rack and as I walked by the other day, I realized the detail on the plates is the same color as my clematis.

The perfect way to prove my point - the blooms are huge! I heard lately that clematis like to have their "feet in the shade" so consider that when you are planting your vine. Put another plant at its base (for shade) and it will be happy.

Collecting Chelsea

How does a collection begin? Often it starts when someone shows you something that they know "you will love."

My Mom has known about the "Chelsea" pattern for years...seeing it now and then at antique shows or estate sales. Chelsea is a delicate white china with a raised blue-lavender decoration, often enhanced with a touch of lustre (an iridescent glaze).

One day we were at an antique show, and she saw the plate above and together we agreed that I had to have it. (You remember that I have a shelf in my laundry room filled with objects that are lavender.)

Well ever since, my Mom has been finding me these gorgeous pieces for my collection and I love them! Now when I am "out and about" I always keep my eyes open for Chelsea. It is so much more fun to go antiquing when you are searching for a speciafic pattern or style.

Design Note:
I want you to notice the lavender hounds tooth "fabric" that my dishes are displayed on. That is actually 3 sheets of scrapbook paper (!) under a glass shelf. Any glass-covered tray or table can be transformed with paper. Love it!