Monday, April 22, 2013

A Closer Look at a Few Friday Finds



Did you see the post at Our Old Country Store. . . .all about our Friday Finds?


It was a gorgeous, sunny Spring day as we traveled to a nearby Delta town--this time on business--booo. . . .Not one to let business get in the way of our fun, I insisted we do a little junkin' along the way. . . .didn't want the beautiful day wasted on more serious matters . . . .We came across a few yard sales and visited our favorite junkin' places. . . .We got the business end done, too!

It seemed everyone was selling out their "old" china and Ironstone. . . .at cheap, cheap prices. . . .I'm a sucker for both, as you can see above. . . .but, my purchases also caused a strange thing to happen. . .It caused me to CLEAN OUT my own "old" dishes and replace them with my newest collection--vintage farmhouse style dinnerware. . . .as I remember seeing in older homes when I was growing up. . . .


It began with these two pieces. . . .They are Homer Laughlin. . . .almost look and feel like English Ironstone. . . .trimmed in gold overlay on white. . . .I've never considered pieces such as this before. . . .can't believe I've passed them over so many times. . . .



Then came the teacups. . . .gold on the outside. . . .beautiful flowers on the inside. . . .Aren't they lovely?. . . .I think one of the reasons I love vintage dinnerware is the detail--the special touches. . . .


But, my absolute favorite--and the thing that decided me on a new collection--were these beautiful, everyday dishes. . . . .The minute I saw them, I was in love. . . .I do remember dishes such as these in the farmhouse kitchens. . . .a little bit of color and beauty added to a day of endless tasks. . . .For me, they say, "True Farmhouse Style". . . .Not all the pieces are the same pattern, but all mix and match very well. . . .The plate shapes are similar, too. . . .soft and sweet and charming. . . .


Some have gold around the edges, some don't. . . .
The one on the right (my favorite) is Knowles China. . . .the one on the left is Homer Laughlin, Virginia Rose.
There are no markings on the creamer, but isn't it a beauty?


Do you know anything about these dishes? I'd love to hear their story. . . .Were they premiums at gas stations or inside detergent boxes. . . .or, were they cheaper dimestore specials?
Please enlighten me!

Once I got them home, I knew my love had grown and I'd be using them in our farmhouse. . . .They'll be a beautiful addition to the white dinnerware. . . .Will add that pop of color I love.


Couldn't resist these cute little potties either. . . .Where else could one go but in the bath beside the tub?




 In the kitchen, I added a 1930s-40s mixing bowl to  the baker's cabinet. . . .



Well used. . . and will be used even more. . . .I think I can get the staining out--Do you have any tips for me? I found the napkins with the same flower but a little different coloring. . . .Must have been a popular print in it's day.

A sturdy wicker hamper was another find that I'll put to use very soon as a summer side table. . . .


Did you notice the bottom half of a vintage lantern? The top was missing, but the price was cheap. . . .25c. . . .I'll use it as a flower vase. . . .I think. . . .


Wow! I only had time to show you a few finds. . . .Maybe I chatter too much?
If you'd like to see more, click on this link: Our Old Country Store

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .


40 comments:

Cranberry Morning said...

I love those plates with the flowers on the rim. So pretty! I think I have a creamer like that. I'll have to check. (Isn't it terrible that I don't know what's in my own hutch!) lol Anyway, great finds all!

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

I love your new dishes!! especially those flowered every day dishes.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Mary Ann said...

I love Edwin Knowles and Homer Laughlin china... at one time owned a lot of it... and in a very sad time, donated all of it to Goodwill when I had to move suddenly. How I loved setting the table for holidays with it!

Jeannie and Linda said...

I love your dishes. I read long ago what a memory maker dishes are for our children. I had never thought if it but it is true. I always buy dishes/glasses I remember using growing up. Yours are so beautiful. The bowl is spectacular, as is the vintage napkin! My books say to mix 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and water and let soak for 48 hours. I used bleach right before I found that will ruin stoneware!

Peace,
Linda at The French Hens Nest

Sherie said...

I saw your post and just had to go check my dishes. I have a set of Homer Laughlin, Virginia Rose, but it is different from yours. I also have another set with a gold rim not marked as to the maker. In looking at them, I am inspired to try to make some cards with my watercolors. I will try to take a couple of pics of them and send them to your email. Interestting how there are so many different patterns. Thanks for sharing...Sherie

Pamela Gordon said...

I love your new dishes! They are so pretty and so farmhouse to me. I found some plates similar to these in my mil's basement but they were in too rough a shape to use for eating off so I stuck them along the edge of a flower garden last summer. Better than throwing them away right? You found some great things!

Unknown said...

I love the old dishes. . . you're right they do scream farmhouse. . . it makes me want to start collecting them for that very reason. I recently got a 12 piece setting of fiesta ware, which I love, but I am a sucker for pretty flower detail as well. . .
as for the stain, I would try good ol backing soda. I recently used it on my old cast iron/porcelain tub and it worked awesome. . .use a cloth not a scrubber tho. . . I know I saw some on your kitchen counter. . .lol. . . great finds. . . thanks for sharing. ..

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Lovely! Homer Laughlin dishes are my favorite. Yours actually look very similer to mine, but I have all pink flowers! My favorite website to research china http://www.robbinsnest.com. Does your Virginia Rose plates say virginia rose on the back? It doesn't really look like that shape to me. Also do you know how to read the back stamp? The first letter stands for month, the next two numbers stand for the year and the last letter and lumber stand for the plant.
I didn't find the pattern name for your Knowles china either. But Robbins Nest does have a history of the comapny.

terricheney said...

My very limited knowledge of Homer Laughlin Virginia Rose is the name is the shape of the dish rather than the pattern, so a dozen different designs might well have the name Virginia Rose shape, but differ widely in decals (the flowers). I have several of these plates myself and not one is like any of yours.

If I'm not mistaken, one of the numbers on the back refers to the decal pattern. I love these old plates and personally like the crazed ones best of all that show they were well used and enjoyed daily. I too mix and match plates on my table when I choose to use the vintage patterns. I think it adds to the charm of the setting.

Florida Farm Girl said...

Oh, my goodness!! That Homer Laughlin china and the Knowles are beautiful!!!!! I'd snatch it up in a minute.

You done good one this trip.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Loved all of the beautiful photos! Homer Laughlin is one of my favorite in dishes. Virginia Rose was my grandmotehrs dishes and I have just a few. Some of them came out of detergent, but I am not sure where my grandmother got hers

Jen said...

Thank you for the memories you brought to me with the pics of your new dinnerware.
My Grandma had a set like this and yes, the patterns of dishes do leave lasting impressions on children, I'm proof of it~!
Have a Great Week... I enjoy reading your updates.
Jen~
=)

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Lots of great stuff, Dru. How can you pass up floral china? I don't pick up sets anymore just a piece or two for decoration.

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Delicate and beautiful! :)

Eclectic Red Barn said...

Love all of your photos. I have a few Homer Laughlin plates similar to yours but not exactly. They were my grandmothers, but don't know the history.
I am your newest GFC.
Have a wonderful week,
Bev
@ Eclectic Red Barn

Dawn said...

Thanks for sharing all your new dishes at the Cabin. Your new everyday dishes are wonderful and would be so fun to eat on. Love them!

cynthia lee designs said...

What pretty dishes...love them!!
hugs,
Cindy

Heirloom treasures said...

What a gorgeous haul,love them all. I love eating off pretty dishes. x

amanda said...

I couldn't help but notice your old funnel.
My mom collects old funnels of all sorts. It's amazing the variety that are out there! Made me think of her. :)

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

Wow! You got so many wonderful items! Love the dishes - so homey! I'm glad that it wasn't all business! Hugs, Leena

Maureen Wyatt said...

Those dishes are going to be perfect in your kitchen! You can safely get rid of those stains with denture tablets. Here's the link to the post I did on how to use them. http://www.itsallconnected.ca/2013/02/cleaning-white-ironstone.html

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

Great finds! The plates have really lovely flowers. And the mixing bowl is really nice.

Pam said...

Your dishes are beautiful! I also love the little potties, so cute. I have a vase almost just like the one next to the potties. Makes me want to go junking! I just love pretty dishes, they are so hard to resist!
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

Linda Miller said...

Great finds. We have had endless snow so no sales or flea markets yet.
I can't wait to start looking again.
Love your displays!

Reuzeit Emporium Blog
Reuzeit Emporium

onnery said...

I recently read that Bartenders Helper works well for those marks on dishes.
Your flowery finds are oh so pretty! I also pick up some of those plates,etc. with the gold pattern on the edge as it was the same as my Mom's. I looked on the back of a platter that I own and it is marked with a picture of a cannon and says Cannonberg and Hallmark of Quality.

Rosemary and Thyme said...

What great finds. They are all so pretty and dainty. I love Homer Laughlin and that Virginia Rose pattern is truly a beauty. Enjoy your awesome finds.

srpprcrftr said...

I've enjoyed reading all the comments as well as your blog. I am so in love with all the incredible finds you made. The dishes are so pretty.
I find as I get older how much more I love the older things.
We lived in KY outside Bowling Green and I sure got the taste for Homer Laughlin. I found some plates at our local thrift store (we live about 18 miles west of Grand Junction, CO now), that reminded me so much of all the wonderful things I used to find in Ky.
North east of B.G. is a little town called Smiths Grove that has several vintage/antique stores. I spent alot of time in those stores when we bought our house and even afterwards as I was always wondering what I might find. So many wonderful things. I miss getting to shop there. Would so love if we could take a trip back to shop.
I was surprised when I bought the plates at the thrift store one of the ladies and I talked about Homer Laughlin dishes. Not many people here seem to be in to vintage and antiques. They never have antique shows and the antique stores aren't open that much/ are few and far between. How I'd love to have a store. Well talked too much, happy days.

Chenille Cottage said...

What a beautiful post, Dru! Your "Farmhouse" dishes are just that! They remind me of my great Aunt Viola's country kitchen with the sloping floors. As a girl I loved to visit her and would spent hours just oohing and ahhing at all her pretty dishes. She always had all her window sills lined with clear glass that was in various stages of turning soft pastel colors. The sun shone through each piece.

How I love the tiny pink baby bootie...and the sweet way you have arranged each item.

I wish you a lovely day, my sweet friend.
Blessings,
Carolynn xoxo

Darci said...

I just love your blog. Everything about it makes me smile. I have a very stupid question, though. These dishes you've gotten; do you hand wash or do you use the dishwasher? I have some dishes like this that my grandma got inside soap boxes and I love them. Trimmed in gold and a beautiful floral pattern. I rarely use them but I would love to use them daily!

Dewena said...

I want in the line too of those who love your pretty new old china. I don't think they could make them look like that anymore with that delicate coloring.

I'm sure you won't put them in the dishwasher, though, please! I always look for Homer Laughlin and other made in America dishes but I've never come across these beauties. Enjoy!

Diane said...

I love your floral dishes. So many great finds and such pretty designs. Love that vintage mixing bowl as well!

Vicki said...

What a great post and beautiful dishes!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Oh my gosh I have such a terrible dish addiction! I just love all the patterns you've shown. I have a few pieces of the Homer Laughlin. Every day china used to be so beautiful!

Thanks for sharing your stunning finds!

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

You always find the best stuff. You will be one of the features tomorrow at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Art and Sand said...

Your Friday finds are fabulous. The new (old) dishes are so sweet. They harken to a simpler time.

It sounds like your business trip was well worth it in two ways.

Happy Weekend!

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Oh, yes, you did really good. I love the roses on the dishes they are so sweet!!!
Blessings,
Susie

Jaybird said...

You can get the stains out of dishware, with hydrogen peroxide. Just fill the bowl with it...it's cheap at the $$ store) and let it sit. You may have to apply a couple of times, but the stains will leave their happy home pretty quickly!
Blessings,
J

Granny Sue said...

Love these dishes! I'm a sucker for old flowered dishes too. Homer Laughlin is still in business, making mainly Fiestaware. The company is lcoated in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. We visited there once and the most amazing thing was the HUGE pile of broken dishes outside the plant! I guess they just toss any imperfect pieces out there and reuse the stuff somehow. I have pictures from our brief visit (we didn't go inside--hubby was tired) on my blog. Stop by sometime and have a look! http://grannysu.blogspot.com

Granny Sue said...

Oh, and I used Clorox 2 or Oxyclean to get those old stains out. Those are old grease and food juices that have soaked into the clay through the glaze--the glaze is probably crazed so the juices can get through. I put paper towels in the bowl and soaked them with the cleaner, then left the bowl for about a month. Almost every bit of the very bad staining was gone from my pretty blue and white dish.

Granny Sue said...

Oh, and I used Clorox 2 or Oxyclean to get those old stains out. Those are old grease and food juices that have soaked into the clay through the glaze--the glaze is probably crazed so the juices can get through. I put paper towels in the bowl and soaked them with the cleaner, then left the bowl for about a month. Almost every bit of the very bad staining was gone from my pretty blue and white dish.

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