Monday, May 16, 2011

A Change in the Kitchen



























I've had a change - I have changed the dresser in my kitchen. I started off with my white thrifted soup tureen (which you can read about here) and then gathered up all the white china I could find in the house.


























I lived with that for a few days but it really looked a bit 'nothing'. I'm sure you know what I mean.































I'm still going to paint and distress the dresser but as yet haven't found the time!! I'm going to see if those gorgeous chalk paints are available here in Australia yet. The colours I have seen in them are just beautiful.


























The bright green apples just seem to make everything pop. They were for an apple crumble which you can see hasn't been baked yet!

























I love the texture of these gorgeous woven balls.

























White tulips - I have seen so many of these around blogland I just had to have some...

























Daughter No 1 thought the change was so much better - much more modern she said!!!  I think that means I passed!

























I hope you like my changes as much as I do!! I am reposting an earlier post about my dresser so you can see the difference. (Also cos I've just learnt how to repost - thanks girls!!).

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A few years ago when my Dad died he left me some money - not a lot but money he had worked hard for and had saved so I decided I would buy myself something really nice to keep in his memory. I thought for quite a while before I decided on a Royal Albert dinner set in Old Country Roses design. Over the years I have been lucky enough to receive lots of accessories to match. I thought I would share it with you for this week's teascapes.


























This tall glass is actually a candle that matches the colour of the roses perfectly.








































I love cups all stacked up like this - especially when they are this pretty!!









































The chintz plates are really my all time favourite - if I could have a complete dinner set like this I would be in heaven!








































I have matching placemats and coasters in two different sizes - it is amazing how many accessories there are too match.









































Even a guest book - please take the time to leave me a message. lol








































More cups piled high.








































No table would be complete without the matching salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowl and creamer. We received this beautiful sugar spoon as a wedding present - it has a beautiful rose on the end.


























Platters in all shapes and sizes...
























Even a pretty little cake stand - once again I have been baking (not)!!





How stunning is this chintz?? I love this in any colour - not that I have any others but I have seen lots in antique shops. On my wish list.....





This china is also Royal Albert Old Country Roses but in a more country style - not quite as dainty as the other.








































I had intentions of painting this old dresser before I showed any photos but as usual time just gets away. I still intend painting it so I will keep you posted and show it to you once it is finished




27 comments:

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

oh your old english rose pieces are so pretty...and how sweet the way you got them.

Marilyn said...

What a wonderful collection you have and something very special to remind you of your dad. I have two miniature teacups in this pattern that I brought back from Wales when we visited. I had so much crammed in my carry-on bags! That was before all the regulations of today's world! ♥♫

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your white on the china cabinet and the touch of green is just perfect. I really like the way you have everything stacked and displayed. So pretty. Your dishes from your dad are fabulous. What a precious gift and such a sweet memory. Both displays are fabulous. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Bookie said...

Love all the whites...but your dishes too. I love this pattern and you have so many matching and blended pieces. Just wonderful!

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hello Suzy,
I am so impressed about the many different variations of Old Country Roses. Love the Chintz design and also every other. They are all players of one of the best Royal Albert designs: Old Country Roses. Thank you for sharing those delightful photos.
Best greetings, Johanna

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Suzy,
I like the new look but I adore your OCR collection! You have so many lovely pieces and the chintz goes beautifully with it too. Love it! My Daddy always loved the OCR china and that would have been his pattern to collect had he started it for my mother. I started her on Lavender Rose before I knew. Oh well, it's all mine now. Thanks for sharing and joining me for tea today.

Blessings,
Sandi

Terri said...

Beautiful! I love all the whites, and the green apples really do pop in there. All your O.C.R. are gorgeous, and what a sweet way to remember your father.
Thank you so much for sharing all your beauty with us.
Hugs,
Terri

KK said...

I love how fresh your hutch is with the white and pops of green. Your beautiful china is a lovely way to remember your father.

Maggie said...

You have a wonderful collection of English china, I'm just beginning my collection of antique/vintage trios.
Coincidentally, I also have a service in the RHS Applebee Collection, I noticed the plates in the "white" photographs, which I like to use for afternoon tea.
Maggie

Sarah said...

I've been playing around with my whites today, but can't get the look I'm after. ;-) Love you set of Royal Albert. How special to have this to love and use in memory of your dad. I like that! ~ sarah

Moois van mie said...

OMG !! That dinner set is absolutely faboulous !!!!!!!!!

Tea in Texas said...

What a wonderful idea to use this beatuiful china and have something so special to remember your dad. This is so nice to have so many pieces to use when you set the table. I really like your dresser just the way it is for the wood shows a great contrast with the china.

Shabbyprimdelights said...

The white looks wonderful and refreshing but I have to say the florals are my favourite...Im an old fashioned girl at heart. Its great to see the two different looks...I have yet to master that yet lol.
HPS
Michelle

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Your chintz dishes are beautiful and I also love the white ones! Thank you for joining my party.
xo,
Sherry

Betty said...

Your hutch looks beautiful. I like the green apples in the bowls too. I'll bet you could find some wooden apples and then you can make your crumble. LOL
My daughter's wedding china is Old Country Roses. You have so many pieces I haven't seen. I love the chintz dishes. I'll have to look for some to add to her set.
Happy Pink Saturday!

Antiques And Teacups said...

I love Old Coutry Roses. It is the best selling china pattern ever made...and it was only designed in 1962! You have a great collection. Like the changes to the welsh dresser you did as well...perked it up!
Ruth

Amanda said...

Oooh...I don't know? I love both displays! Isn't if fun to switch things up now and then? I've been feeling rather confused lately as I do love the calm look of the neutral whites but I'm such a victorian pink rose girl at heart! This was a fun post...so interesting to see the two distinctively different looks in one place! Thank you for sharing!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda

Lorraine said...

I love the hutch and the white is so clean and fresh looking! Happy PS!

Unknown said...

Both looks so beautiful!!!

Happy Pink Saturday!
Hugs
Charo

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

So lovely- Your hutch is wonderful filled with your gorgeous china! I love the white as well as the floral~ so pretty! Thank you for linking this up at FNF this week- have a wonderful weekend!

Wanda Lee said...

Dear Suzy,

Great post!~ I love seeing a decorative 're-scaping' of cupboards and dressers.., Yours is so fresh and pretty. I love all of your fabulous, Old Country Roses' china as well.., Wow! ~ A truly heartwarming way to honour your fathers memory as well.

What a charming post from lasts week's tea..,
~ (I was out of the office, after last weeks tea's for several days, so I'm much later getting by to visit than I would have preferred);

..,Yet I must say what pure delight it was to have you partake once again with TTTT and also with my 83rd, 'Tuesday Tea For Two'!..,

Thanks so very much for joining us and we look forward to hopefully having you join us once again in a few days; it's always a pleasure!

Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee
@ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com
and also
@ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

The Charm of Home said...

The changes to your dresser look wonderful! I love the white paired with the green and white floral plates. Beautiful and striking. I love your Old Country Roses. One of my favorite patterns by Royal Albert! You have so many beautiful variations on the pattern. I love the chintz! Gorgeous! Thanks for linking this up!
Sherry

Karie said...

The change is beautiful. Such lovely china. Love it all. Thanks for sharing. Karie

Anonymous said...

OH, I do love your redo in your hutch! Now what I'm really foaming over is the set of dishes you purchased with the money your dad left you! What a sweet way to think of him every time you see these beautiful dishes. Oh, you have pieces I've never seen before! Just love these and have always wanted some - I do have the salt and peppers! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

AnneMarie said...

Lovely post. I too am about to paint my dresser, cant decide on Farrow and Ball New White or Old White. Love all of your gorgeous china! Have a great week! xx

Charlene said...

My friend has the Royal Albert like yours! How sweet that you bought it as a memory of your Dad! I'm sure he smiles down from HEAVEN everytime you use it! ENJOY! And you are right about those appleas adding just the right POP!

This is my first Show Off Your Cottage Monday & I hope to join in again soon! Charlene

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Visiting with you via the House in the Roses. Love all your white dishes and serveware. What a sweet memory of your father, each time you see your dishes. That was a great idea.
If you have a chance, would love to have you drop by for a visit. Have a great Tuesday!