I hit the after-Christmas sale at the thrift shop

Posted: December 27, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Fun Finds, Vintage tablecloths | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

IMG_2983

And this is what I scored! Read the rest of this entry »

Placesettings: the first day of Christmas

Posted: December 26, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Holidays, Placesettings, This Old Row House, Vintage tablecloths | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Yes, the First Day of Christmas was yesterday. But let’s not get picky.

Christmas dinner was a smallish affair with only seven of us sitting down together. That’s okay. The big family hoopla will happen on Sunday when more of us are in town.

Here’s what the dining table looked like before everyone showed up.

christmastable

I’ve gone way beyond matchy-matchy here and crossed over into a place where I only have to like it to put it together.  Read the rest of this entry »

Thanksgiving desserts

Posted: November 28, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Holidays, Placesettings, Recipe, Vintage tablecloths | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Thanksgiving desserts

I don’t get to do the turkey this year. I’m taking the desserts.

desserts
But before I leave the house I’m showing them off on jadeite and a small Wilendur leaf-and-acorn tablecloth. Read the rest of this entry »

Placesettings: wake up your eyes

Posted: November 17, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Decor, Placesettings, Vintage tablecloths | Tags: , , , , , | 7 Comments

The world is on a Christmas binge right now, but we’re still thinking Fall here at This Old Row House. We’ll be thinking Fall right up until Advent begins. (Though I do admit I sorted through every single box of my vintage Christmas decorations yesterday. Two more weeks until it starts coming out of storage.)

There’s nothing like a jolt of orange and yellow to welcome the morning, especially when it’s still dark outside.

eggcup

The dishes are Fire-King jadeite, using the St. Denis breakfast cup and saucer and egg cup. The Bakelite (actually Catalin) flatware and heavy cotton napkin are both vintage. The oversized egg is from the local Dutch Country Market where you can buy the world’s best spit-roasted chickens (yum!) if you don’t mind waiting in the world’s longest line. (We don’t!)

nasturtium

The tablecloth is a Wilendur (with its original tag) in the nasturtium pattern. (Now that I’ve taken a photo I can see the red designs on my enamel topped kitchen table showing through. It’s not stained.) We’ve taken this tablecloth to Pettengill repeatedly but not one person has ever picked it up. Must be a sign. I’m in love and I’m keeping it for now.

Are you gearing up for Christmas, or are you still anticipating Thanksgiving? What are your thoughts on Christmas hoopla in October and November?

I found Fire King Copper-Tint Ovenware under my basement steps

Posted: November 16, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Fun Finds, Placesettings | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

How long have I had this box of new old stock Fire King Ovenware? I’m embarrassed to say I don’t even remember where or when I found these.  I’ve been cleaning out our overstuffed basement storage area and finding all sorts of forgotten goodies.

The box isn’t looking too hot after 50+ years.
unopened

Ah, but inside the box is a whole nother story! There are twelve pristine pieces of Copper-Tint with their original Guaranteed by Good Housekeeping stickers.

inthebox

allthepieces

What’s most interesting to me is how modest these pieces seem in comparison to my super-sized contemporary Fire King 2000 pieces. Hum. People in the 60s didn’t have gym memberships. We might need to rethink what’s a “normal” serving size.

sidebyside

I couldn’t bear to peel the stickers off and use these. Copper-Tint never was one of my collecting passions, anyway. They’ll get to go to a new home.  Imagine how great they’d look in a 1960s copper-accented kitchen in a split-level time capsule home.

I hope someone is going to love these when I finally get around to opening a Dish Sisters Etsy shop!

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