acquired a few years ago for every day use to complement the extensive collection of antique canton displayed in the dining room.
I just counted… seven sets of contemporary china, stored out of sight, in two corner cupboards and a large buffet in my dining room.
Among my stored china patterns mentioned here: Spode Christmas tree and Villeroy and Boch naif: village and the winter scenes. The naif was everyday dishes with small children. My favorite china may be penbroke aynsley. Pre-pandemic I used it frequently for dinner parties.
I like seeing all these patterns as well, but my minimalist sensibilities are kind of “triggered.” Seven sets of china stashed away? I can’t even imagine. I was never much of a grand entertainer though.
Hoggirl: In some ways I guess I’m a maximalist, and we are long time antique collectors. In another way I feel like a minimalist because everything in my empty nesting house has a purpose (even if it’s only decorative) and “sparks joy.” And everything has a place and is extremely organized. When we downsized to the empty nesting house, we kept only the very best of our collections. But I am still very decorated.
All the seven sets of china stored in the dining room were used at some point during 2019. My last dinner party was 2/28/19. I mixed three sets of china for various courses.
To avoid triggering you further, I won’t mention the silver and crystal (antique and contemporary)
To me, it’s been feeling like living in a stay at home jewel box.
I love that phrase, “like living in a stay at home jewel box”. And I would delight in being a guest at your last dinner party
with 3 different China sets being used for the different 3 different courses. Creative and fun and special.
Your use of “jewel” also reminded me that I’ve recently resumed wearing jewelry (necklaces in particular) in recent weeks. Even though I’m a pretty much a hermit bc of Covid, I have found selecting old pieces to wear on a daily basis brightens my mood.
Just like seeing all these China patterns has brightened my mood.
Really enjoying seeing everyone’s different taste here.
Currently wearing three strands of baroque pearls, and imitation pearl decorated bobby pins (ordered from amazon) to hold my pandemic hair off my face!
I am thrilled for you that these things bring you joy - truly. I hope I didn’t come across as being judge-y.
I am now very not decorated having been so in the past. For ME (and only me! ) I am happier with a sparser look. If I am being honest I think this is somewhat because I no longer have a housekeeper. I am not particularly fond of cleaning and blank surfaces are much easier to clean, in my opinion.
But, I do love those who have a keen eye for design and can curate a lovely mix of decorative items. I have one friend who is exceptionally good at it, and her home is lovely.
When ds was here he commented that our condo looked like no one lived here.
My parents died suddenly and unexpectedly when I was 24 years old and the task of clearing out their 4,000 square foot home was overwhelming given the circumstances. My mother was definitely a collector of “things.” I am working very hard not to burden our son with a bunch of items he doesn’t want. And, since I don’t want them either, that hasn’t been too difficult.
So sorry for your loss at such a young age. How very difficult for you.
Heavens no… I don’t feel judged. Please don’t worry. A close friend says I store stuff on the walls, which is absolutely true.
I love to hear how different folks live; loving the photos, especially Choatie Mom’s, and thinking someone might could start a minimalist/maximalist thread. This is the first I’ve figured out how to post replies since the board changed … so no clue how to start a new thread. I don’t like the new reaction buttons. They don’t really seem on point to me?
The notes in our “in case of death” file direct the kids which auction houses to call for different groups of things. That’s the best I can do for them, because I’m not downsizing any more than I already have.
The longer the pandemic goes on, the more I wonder if I will ever give another dinner party.
Early on husband and I decided against any socially distanced get-togethers at all, because it would be impossible to choose from among very dear friends to create a social pod, without potentially hurting the feelings of others. And constantly socially distanced entertaining with unlimited numbers of individuals seemed a rather risky idea to us. Even so, a few have suggested they will just drop by and not tell anyone else (eek!)
We keep saying, “no no no. Don’t do that. huge, huge party when the pandemic ends … love you and talk with you on the phone for as long as you want, whenever you want”
Now Blossom and her “friend” are on the post-pandemic blow out guest list, too.
correction to earlier post: last dinner party was 2/28/20, not 2/28/19. Just feels like two years!
It may help not to think of it as special china, but as everyday plates. Our community message board will periodically have requests from folks getting out of homelessness for household goods, including dishes. If your stuff is dishwasher friendly and it probably is, (I have some plain Limoges china that probably cost a fortune, but I put it in the dishwasher every time I use it, which is often), there is no reason why your mom’s china cannot be repurposed as someone’s everyday dishes. This is a better option than thinking of it as a treasure and storing it in an attic. It was meant to be used.
