the allure of French white porcelaine, china and linen

Image via Blossoming Visions

French white porcelain is dreamy. I think it looks great en masse like in the dresser, above. And the best part of such a collection? It is functional!

Image via min lilla veranda

The French china on the table setting above is divine! It is perfectly matched with the rough texture of the linen and grey painted table. We have quite a selection of French linen in the store at the moment, and I use it myself daily at home. I read somewhere that French people are often casual with their linen tablecloths, if there are creases, who cares? I like this philosophy...anybody else?

Here is a French tureen or soupiere, as they are called in France. Also, two French porcelain jugs, with swan neck handles and comports, one of a fluted design, the other two plain. All perfect for an elegant or casual table setting.

I am unsure what this French comport was used to serve. If anyone has any ideas, I would love to know. It may have been used for seafood, a sauce could have been placed in the middle and the seafood around the edge. But I am just guessing.

This very long French porcelain platter is stealing a lot of attention in the store. I think purely due to its size! I have pictured it with a sauce boat so that you may see just how long it really is. I imagine that it was once used to serve a whole fish. But it would look equally as good as a fruit platter, or as a fruit bowl on a long table.

Here is a selection of French porcelain sauce jugs, all a little bit different. I love the elegance of the swan neck handle of the jug on the left, the other jugs all have what appears to be a lion's head motif.

Ok, this piece is not all that practical, but isn't it divine?

It is a French lait pur or pure milk jar. I guess it could hold a posy of flowers?

French patisserie table with marble top now in store!

Look what we are proud to have in our store, a 19th century period French iron, brass and marble patisserie table! These are very, very rare. In fact, this is the first such patisserie table that we have ever had. It dates to around c.1860. Again, I kept this one a little bit of a secret, I didn't want to spoil all the surprises from our shipment.

Look at the age to the iron and brass work...and the marble top is original.

It is such a special piece, I am sure someone is going to fall in love with it (or a few people, maybe, myself included!).

Image by Suzanne Rheinstein via Pinterest

These tables look great as an island bench in a kitchen like this one. I can just imagine making croissants or rolling some pizza dough on the age worn marble. Sigh...

Image via Greige

Or using it as a decorative side table in a lounge room or entryway. I love the glass domes displayed on this piece.

And just as special is this marble topped patisserie counter. It too is French and dates to around c.1880. It has a painted pine base.

At the moment we have displayed a collection of French glass domes and white porcelain upon the marble top. Now all we need is a few little pastries under each dome!

French wine tables, French armoires and more

As you can see, the French armoire came together. The shop is coming together too, but there is much work to do, so I must get back to it. I have taken photos of some of the unusual pieces that are new into the store, enjoy!

19th century stools with shaped seats, a pair.

English 1 and 1/2 gallon milk cans.

A French marble topped patisserie counter with French glass domes.

I love these wire storage crates, with brass labels.

A French skittles set in a French picker's basket.

A French vendange table on a buffet, and French glass bottles. Monogrammed linen. A fabulous square leather and brass bound trunk. A massive French display cabinet in soft grey tones. Right, back to work for me, 10am opening tomorrow morning and I want to be ready.

a gorgeous French armoire (and closed due to shipment arrival)

Our shipment has just arrived today, and I am squirming with excitment! I thought I would give you a little taste of what is due into our store with this magnificent bleached and limed walnut French armoire, above. It was one of my highlight finds on my lastest buying trip and finally it has reached our shores and our store! Look at the detail of the original 18th century hardware. And you should see the key, it is huge!

Image via Bonjour Paris

Due to the arrival of this shipment, we unfortunately have to close our doors to customers whilst we unpack, clean, sort and display our new goodies. We will be re-open at 10am on Saturday the 21st January.

I will post images of the chaos in our store over the next week so that you may hopefully see some of the treasures.

books, antique and French gifts

I was absolutely spoiled at Christmas! I was given many beautiful gifts by friends and family, such as these gorgeous little succulent shaped candles in tin pots and a set of slate garden markers.

I have admired this Spode cream ware bowl for a while now in our store. And I may have put out a little hint or two that I would very much like it for my kitchen. It is just so simple and lovely, do you agree?

And you may all know now my fetish for French glass jars. I received two such jars for Christmas. One can never have enough jars. The jar on the left is going to live in the kitchen and store flour and the jar on the right has a new home in the bathroom.

My cookbook collection grew with the addition of these books, above. I am about to start making my own bread, but first I must start a yeast in order to make nice sourdough bread. Wish me luck!

I could happily live on pasta and was excited to receive a book dedicated to the topic!

Time to catch up on some gardening, with none other than Mr Paul Bangay himself. This is his latest book and can't wait to read and learn.

And the perfect coffee table book for the self-confessed Francophile...Vintage French Interiors. Someone knows me very well indeed.

The book is filled with images of collections composed with that casual French flair. My feet are getting itchy just thinking about returning to Paris flea markets and little tucked away antiquaires.

And lastly, I received this exquisite Indian silver bangle which dates from the late 1800s. It is very intricately made and has mythological bird like creatures at the clasp.

I don't think I was exaggerating when I said I was spoiled at Christmas, what do you think?

happy new year!

Image via splenderosa

Thank you to all my followers and visitors for a wonderful year of comments and thoughts. I hope that I could provide a little inspiration at times. What better way to bring in the new year but with beautiful antique champagne flutes? I am not sure whether the tray is silver or pewter, but it sure suits well.

And in such an eco conscious period, I have to agree with this motto...well, for one night, maybe!

Happy new year!

antique shopping and French linen in country Victoria

At the beginning of the month I had the opportunity to explore one of my favourite getaway places, the Daylesford area in country Victoria. I once again stayed at Hepburn at Hepburn (see previous post). Would you believe it if I told you that I was there for work purposes? Probably not. Especially as I did seem find the time to visit some of my favourite stores, including Lavender and Lace Living in the town of Maldon, north of Daylesford. Dianne who owns the store is surrounded by gorgeous vintage and new linens and lace for the homemaker and romantic in us all. Check out the monogrammed linen shades on the lamp, above.

I also love the detail in this panel, above, with the embroidered chickens.

Damask tablecloths are beautifully laundered and are piled up on a table. These tablecloths are becoming increasingly hard to find, I have noticed.

More antique linens stacked into a shelf. Very dreamy!

And antique floral quilts. Perfect for a little girl's room.

Another shop I couldn't wait to visit since reading about it in the April 2011 Australian Country Style was Peonies and Picnics, in the town of Daylesford. Look at the wonderful shopfront, above.

Peonies and Picnics is a delight inside, filled with all sorts of goodies including antiques, vintage wares and carefully selected gifts and home wares.

A central table in the middle of the store with soaps and other gifts.

Spanish oil jars are displayed on a sideboard.

A basket filled with brushes. I have such a brush at the sink for scrubbing potatoes and find it very useful.

And a polished milk churn.

The gorgeous window display must have great success in tempting people passing by in to the store. Who could resist?

Peonies and Picnics also stocks a selection of vintage French including ticking. Adjoining the store is a little cafe, a perfect little reward for a tiring day exploring!

merry, merry Christmas to all

Image via the Paper Mulberry

As always, I can't resist a picture with antiques. And nothing suits Christmas warmth like pewter. I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas with loads of joy, I hope that many dreams come true today.