Displaying Lettuce Ware

Leta Austin Foster - Flower Magazine

 

Lettuce ware is highly collectible and has been for decades. Tory Burch has a wonderful lettuce ware collection she did in collaboration with Dodie Thayer's estate. Dodie was an American artisan and entrepreneur and her story is remarkable. Her ancestors helped settle Palm Beach where she taught herself how to mold pottery from lettuce and cabbage leaves.

Legendary hostesses from C.Z. Guest and the Duchess of Windsor to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis collected her signature lettuce ware. Mario Buatta's collection of lettuce ware sold at auction for $48,000.

Decorating the Stairwell

Amanda Lindroth

This is quite a dramatic stairwell - a collection of shells, sponges, and coral is displayed alongside blue and white Chinese porcelain. This is a wonderful way to combine a beachy island vibe with chinoiserie. I must admit, I don't recall seeing sea sponges displayed except in a bathroom. I of course love the Chinese lantern.

Displaying Le Creuset & Staub

Williams Sonoma

 

I have been finalizing my exterior painting plans and will return this week to making progress on my kitchen appliance upgrade and will share my research. 

Saturday Inspiration

Kate Spade

 I ordered this Kate Spade "The Rumors Are True" straw hat and it arrived yesterday. Not sure if I will leave it out our not, but I am tempted to. It makes me smile every time I walk through the front door. 

Amanda Lindroth is a big fan of displaying her beach hats.

Amanda Lindroth

Amanda Lindroth

Amanda Lindroth

It's fun, whimsical, and beachy - it might even remind me to wear a hat outdoors - I have become very blond from the sun here. But as they say, "beach hair, don't care." And the rumors are true.

Displaying Chinoiserie Collections

Robert Passal - House Beautiful

I really like the notion of a collection of blue and white porcelain on brackets in my lanai. Here is great inspiration in this Florida outdoor dining area. These shelves would be super easy and cheap to construct as well. I like their clean modern look.

I found these great beads yesterday at HomeGoods. Do you spot the Jonathan Adler alligator needlepoint pillow I found on eBay?

Saturday Inspiration

Mackay Boynton

A wall of antique Chinese porcelain birds atop vintage gilded wall brackets are a wonderful focal point in this eclectic dining room. The chairs were recycled from a local country club. A round table is topped with a fringed navy table skirt. The walls are painted in blue - gray. Inexpensive matchstick blinds are topped with valances from antique suzanis.

Sunday Inspiration

Jamie Meares

Sunday Inspiration - Chinoiserie & Collections

I just found this photo above of a 1920s faux bamboo cabinet filled with an amazing collection of cinnabar, seashells, coral, and Mardi Gras crowns. Does anyone know the source? I suspect Tony Duquette or Hutton Wilkinson. It reminded me of this Chinoiserie cabinet below filled with a collection of coral, seashells, and blue and white Chinese porcelain.

More on Displaying Chinoiserie

Aerin Lauder

Beautiful examples of displaying Chinoiserie collections on the wall in the living room and dining room of Aerin Lauder.

Displaying Chinoiserie

Thomas Burak

I love the idea of displaying a collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain, blanc de Chine, celadon, or shells on a wall like these examples. Aren't these wonderful inspiration? This could be done in an entryway, living room, dining room, office, bedroom, staircase, even a bathroom.

Thomas Burak

Carolyne Roehm

Miles Redd

Robert Goodwin

Mary Watkins Wood

Unknown No Kids Bath

Phoebe Howard

Oscar de la Renta

Kevin Sharkey