Collecting is an evolving process that reflects where you've been, where you currently are, and where you might be going. My ever-growing collection of transferware is a good case in point. I'd been a red-transferware kind of girl for a long time. My mom always loved blue and white. I grew up with it. I ate off of it. It stared down at me from bookshelves and curio cabinets.
So, once I had a place of my own, I decided I preferred red transferware instead. It was bright and cheery and warm, it matched all the other touches of red that I was steadily adding to my house.
And then, not too long ago, I started to pick up some blue and white. I decided I really liked it and bought more and more, but until just recently, always thought that I should display it separately from my red transferware. 'Put like things together' is the mantra of displaying collections, but I don't think that always necessarily means the same color.
After all, the most dominant common theme of all these pieces is the 'transfer' pattern--- the organic, floral designs, little creatures, and romantic, fanciful scenes depicted on many of the plates-- patterns that are also repeated in other objects throughout my home.
I find that mixing red- and blue-transferware looks just fine, in fact I think it looks pretty fabulous, not to mention patriotic!
Just in time for the Fourth of July, I put it all together on the oak sideboard that my mom gave me.
What could be more fitting than displaying the colors that my mom loves..(in fact she gave me this little blue and white elephant)....
.....with the colors that I love, on the oak sideboard that once belonged to my mom.
A wonderful piece of furniture (albeit with a missing door, that's why she was able to get it at a fire sale price), with no lack of lovely, detailed ornamentation that echos the patterns on the plates, serving pieces, and other ceramic-ware items that it displays.
So.... here is where I am now in my transferware-collecting journey. I started off with red, made a detour to brown, as shown here in this post, and ultimately came back to the blue that I grew up with. And most importantly I broke out of the mindset that only the same colors can be displayed to together (although I'm pretty sure that I won't display the brown, red, and blue together-- maybe the blue and the brown, we'll see).
What will I be collecting next? Who knows....as of right now, I'm mostly interested in red, blue, and brown transferware. Although I'm not opposed to picking up a black transferware piece if the price is right (so perfect for one of my favorite holidays, Halloween); but black transferware is quite rare and pretty expensive. Purple and lavender transfer ware is also very pretty (also nice for fall). I'm not a fan of green or multi-colored transferware.....but you never know, that could change too...
Thanks for visiting!
Linking to the following this week....
Best of the Weekend at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Roses of Inspiration Linkup at The Enchanting Rose
Party in Your PJs at the Cookie Puzzle
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
It's ALL beautiful! I have recently (well, 2 years ago) began to collect the blue and white, but I think the red and white is pretty, too! And I love that cabinet. It all goes together so well, and I really enjoyed looking at this today.
ReplyThank you Cynthia! I'm glad you were able to visit and enjoy this post.
Love your pretty dishes...love that beautiful antique cabinet...love the whole area!!
ReplyThanks Martina! Have a great week!