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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

My Method For Displaying White Ironstone

   

White Ironstone Pitchers
Are you a lover of white ironstone, but have a hard time displaying it in your home? I do, and I am about to tell you why, and how even I could have a nice display in my home.

White ironstone is a favorite of mine. I have always had solid white dishes. Somehow even as a young bride I knew that all white dishes were the way to go.

In this very house I had originally planned on adding a plate rail around my eating area displaying different sizes of white ironstone pitchers. 

A nice display of varied styles and different shades of whites like my friend Jennifer from Town and Country blog has displayed in her charming kitchen, in the above image.

white ironstone pitchers
 dressed in all white and clear glass 004That never happened but I still have all white dishes, and they are displayed inside my cupboards.

Once in awhile I run across an image that makes me want to have shelves of ironstone displayed.

white ironstone

I am a bit of a neat-nik so I truly can’t live with a lot of stuff in view. That is why I have never done a plate rail in my home to display pitchers.

However, there is a way to have a neat, and orderly display, and I have a few images that show what I might be able to live with.

white ironstone pitcher in old wooden box
I realize how much is enough is always going to be subjective. 

Today I am talking about how to display things in an easy flowing manner that makes sense, and does not look cluttered, or busy. 

An arrangement where your eye will flow easily from shelf to shelf.

Varied shapes, textures and shades of white will keep it interesting.

ironstone in open shelves
The varied color of whites keeps this arrangement interesting. My eye flows easily from one piece to the next. The shelf looks interesting and orderly.

ironstone and baskets O so D
This is one of my favorite displays. I love the mix of the baskets adding texture to the whole display. 

My eye easily moves from one shelf to the next. Never stopping, or jolting from one piece to the next. I actually think I could live with this display.

DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE:
Sometimes I think we can make a mistake of thinking just because it is all white we can just keep adding, and adding to the shelves.

Even when using all the same color, or type of element you should remain mindful of editing.

Below is an image that  is a bit cluttered and it appears to have no rhyme, or reason to how it was displayed. 

I would imagine the homeowner was trying to achieve a collected over time look, but a little editing would have been welcomed here, IMHO……….

white ironstone
(way to much going on in this display)

When viewing the above image my eye has to stop to try and comprehend exactly what is on the shelves and then it brings forth a question of…… What am I looking at and why did they put it on this shelf. 

These are questions that one should never have to ask when viewing any display in our home.

cottage kitchen storage. The Old Painted Cottage
Here is a very small shelf and the ironstone is displayed in a manner that the eye flows easily from one shelf to the other.

White Ironstone
Notice how your eye just wanders easily from shelf to shelf. That Is what I call visually flowing.

Tips to Remember:

  • The eye should flow easily over the entire display.
  • Vary the shades of white in your ironstone to keep it interesting.
  • There should be highs and lows from one item to the next.
  • Don’t crowd the pieces
  • Start the display by placing the largest items first.
  • Place smaller items to add dimension  and depth to the display.
I hope this helps you look at displaying ironstone a little differently.

Even if you are a more is more person, you still need to keep in mind there always needs to be a flow to your display.

For those of you who are like me, big is better less is more, we still can have a nice display as long as we keep it very well edited.

There is always a way and a method for everyone in design, just remember to ……

“Enjoy the Process!”

 
 

13 comments:

Nancy said...

Big is better. Less is more. That's what I love. Giving the examples of easy flowing vs jolting was very easy to see in the photos you chose.

Woodside Park said...

Hi, Kathysue -
As mentioned previously, love your ironstone sugar bowl with the lid :) I've been in Maine, and just returned this morning. Saw wonderful ironstone pieces up there. Great post once again.
x Loi

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I don't have any white Ironstone. Your tips are great for any type of collection.

Sarah said...

You always have good advice for us, Kathysue. I recently edited out pieces of my faience collection that I had in a glass front cupboard and on open shelves. It was getting to crowded so one couldn't appreciate what was on the shelf. It was jus too much! I ended up taking out a shelf in the cupboard, which made a huge difference. I'm very happy with the new look, and feel good about letting go of some pieces. I've sold some and some other pieces are going to auction this fall. Feels good!

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

This post makes me want to buy more ironstone!! LOL. Hmm. The flea market is this weekend so maybe I'll get lucky. I agree with everything you said about editing and how to display. The eye definitely needs to flow - I found myself wanting to clean up the shelves of the "don't" picture. :) Thanks for including my little shelf of pitchers!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Great advice! Very, very helpful!

Karena said...

Kathysue great advice to everyone. Having a beautiful collection is wonderful. Displaying it artfully is the challenge.

xoxo
Karena
2013 Designer Series

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathysue! Well, I just love lots of stuff and probably display too much at one time. Well, you are just the smartest one and I'll try to restrain myself from now on.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

The enchanted home said...

Beautiful! I love seeing a gorgeous collection of anything and the cream ware is as pretty as it comes. I feel like displaying is like an evolving experiment, always switching things in and out.....

stephanie at Stephanie Kraus Designs said...

Awesome post .. I just love ironstone and your advice for displaying. Great images...

stephanie at Stephanie Kraus Designs said...

Awesome post .. I just love ironstone and your advice for displaying. Great images...

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

Great advise....I love ironstone...I have been collecting it and have it in my china cabinet.

Merlin said...

Just went to a "farm sale" and the white ironstone was the most popular item...went "way to high." :( franki