Dreams in Vintage: Valentine’s Wishes of Dishes! By Yabette & Christine

Lavender and mint tea cup and saucer available at Swankety Swank.

When many people think of vintage tea cups, they think of high tea and Victorian manners. When I see pretty little tea cups, saucers, and plates, it takes me somewhere else completely.

I was 21 when I had my first real apartment.  I’d moved to Columbus, Ohio on my own a year earlier, but the first year was a difficult one.  A horrible roommate, very little money, lots of days with little or nothing to eat finally gave way to a steady  job, and my own 1930′s era studio apartment.  An apartment that needed to be completely furnished.

Two of my new workmates were a pair of sisters named Carrie and Regina.  They had a charming little house filled with beautiful vintage furniture and furnishings; so lovely, so grown up.   Their secret was Ohio’s fabulous thrift stores.  Those sisters taught me how to create a beautiful home with next to nothing by shopping for vintage items.

Thrift stores were full of gorgeous old dishes and cups, sturdy, brightly colored sofas and chairs that looked almost new thanks to years kept under plastic by mothers and grandmothers who wouldn’t let the family sit on “the good furniture” uncovered.

I filled my new home, the symbol of my independence and new life, with treasures from the past.  I bought a charming  console radio/record player that was my main form of entertainment.  I wish you could still find these!  I love the sound of records played on consoles.

With old records playing in the background, I loved sitting on my brick balcony with friends and drinking our coffee from my pretty little tea cups and saucers.  It made me feel proud that I was staking out a life for myself, and it made me feel like a grown-up that I wasn’t drinking diet coke from a Big Gulp cup anymore.  I was a sophisticated women staking my claim in the city.

To this day, hazelnut coffee and vintage tea cups always infuse my being with a sense of hope and possibility.  -Christine

From Yabette…..

While Christine loves the nostalgia and memories a great piece of  bone china brings her, I am also in love with the quality and style.  I use good china everyday. It makes me feel like Marie Antoinette (without the bad attitude and dizziness of course)!

It’s good to treat yourself well and vintage dishes are an affordable way to do so. I am not interested in having perfect matching sets. In fact, I find that incredibly boring. I love the great variety available if you hunt for the treasures as I do.  I live in a small space and would rather have a set of variety than one set all the same. I do think a place setting all in one color theme is lovely, therefore, I limit myself to only collecting plates with various shades of blue.

Beautiful Blue bowl and mug available at Swankety Swank.

Blue Flowers Tea cup and Saucer available at Swankety Swank.

I’ve brought my eye for good design and treasure hunting skills to you and will now carry vintage dishes at Swankety Swank.

I’ve found small sets of cups and saucers with a matching server plate or bowl that is perfect for a low budget, romantic tea for two for you and  your Valentine.

Hint: You don’t have to have tea in your tea cups- spice it up with irish creamed coffee or rum punch cider! Add berries and macaroons for a sensual snack after dinner and before bed my marvelous minxes!

Hand Painted Rusty Blue Dining set by Yabette is accented with vintage tea set for two available at Swankety Swank.

Green cup with Lavender and Flowers saucer and serving bowl available at Swankety Swank.

I am also presenting a collection of  “Pretty Little Plates”. I love owning an assortment of these myself for all kinds of home decor situations.

♥    They make great coasters for any glass on your good furniture.  A small  stack of four on a table is always a gorgeous, readily available solution.

♥    They are perfect collectors of keys, loose change, rings, etc. by the door, in the hallway, or on your dresser.

♥    They are adorable soap dishes in your vintage bathroom that are great alternatives to the contrived “sets” from the big box stores.

♥    They are very pretty pillar candle holders.

♥    We’re selling them for a fantastic Introductory Price of $6 each!

Pretty Little Plates and sugar bowl adorn a hand painted dresser by Yabette available at Swankety Swank.

Herbal Plate Collection with Little Vintage Jug available at Swankety Swank.

I’ve also found other vintage pieces that will add charm to your home and hostess flavor like creamers, candy dishes, decanters, perfume bottles and serving trays.

Serving Plate on Hand Painted Side Table by Yabette available at Swankety Swank.

Bring the garden inside or out with this little creamer available at Swankety Swank.

Come over and see us at Swankety Swank and browse our new and always growing fabulous vintage collection!  -Yabette

All Photographs by Christine Donley