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| Crown Burslem Pitcher Staffordshire, England |
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| Antique Hand-Painted Teapot |
Mistake #1, I took my Maid of Honor, Lisa with me to make my bridal registry selections. Now I LOVE Lisa, but our tastes are not exactly the same. I picked out some dishes that I adored. I loved them; I wanted them, I NEEDED them, but Lisa did not like them. In fact, I think her exact words were, “You’re not getting those granny dishes are you? Those are horrible. And if you buy those dishes, your life will be completed ruined; you will be miserable, fat, unhappy and friendless.” Maybe those weren’t her exact words, but that is what she was thinking, and she added a long meaningful stare to communicate her full meaning. I felt so much pressure. I wondered if maybe she was right.
Mistake #2, I doubted myself. I caved. We kept looking and I picked up another set of dishes, meekly suggesting, “If I can’t have those other ones, I guess these might work.” I showed the dishes to Lisa to determine if I indeed did like them. She nodded approvingly that yes I DID like these. These were “good” dishes, these were “acceptable” and would bring me great happiness, or something like that.
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| Mikasa Classic Elegance |
Over the years I would longingly look at Desert Rose dishes any time I was in a store that sold dishes (which is a lot, as you can see from these photos from my house.)
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| Antique French Armoire with Silvering Removed from Mirror |
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| Antique Hand-Painted Syrup Pitcher |
I had a few love affairs (buying a Desert Rose salad plate here, a teacup there) but at the end of the day, I would go home to the dishes I was married to, Stafford Blue. These dalliances would have to do because I already had a full set of dishes (73 in all) and well I was stuck, until recently. A few months ago, I was in a store that sells dishes (shocking, right?) and did a double-take. What was wrong with my dear, sweet Desert Rose dishes? They looked horrible and cheap. The color was all wrong and the hand painted detail was gone. They looked like they belonged in a Dollar Store. Then it hit me; they are making them in CHINA. I am sure China is a nice place, but they were ruining my Desert Rose dishes. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself. The first plate is the “Made in China” plate and the second one was “Made in England.”
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| Made in China |
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| Made in England |
I admit that I panicked a little. Was it already too late for me? Had my fate been sealed all those years ago? I know that you can divorce a husband but can you “divorce” your plates? And I wanted the good stuff, not this new, cheap imitation stuff. I realized that if I was ever going to have Desert Rose dishes (the Made in England ones) I had better move fast. I just “happened” to be in a store that sold dishes and there they were…. MY DISHES. I had found them…a service for 12, used but in excellent condition, and these are the good kind, the “made in England” kind. I bought them on the spot.
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| Breakfast Room Buffet |
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| English Chintz Cups and Saucers |
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| More dishes (antique and new) on the shelves above the wet bar |
I love the Desert Rose dishes – they look like you! I know you will enjoy them. Love your blog and your writing! I know you have so much to share – can’t wait to see it / read it!
Slowing been going through your posts.
Loved this one. Curious? Your big hutch – is that crocheted edges on your shelved?
Sometime in the near future my hubs will be building our new kitchen cabinets and a china hutch for me. I’ve already got started knitted edging for my china hutch. Can’t wait for the day to put my grandma’s china in it ( this is the grandma who’s tea cart I am restoring ).
Enjoyed this dish story!
What a hilarious tale… and so happy that it had a happy ending…. btw… could you please ship that breakfast buffet to me? Holy cow…. I think I’m in LOVE!
xoxo
Spencer
The breakfast buffet reminds me of one I saw in Germany. Love it!
I, too, am also………..addicted to dishes. There okay, I said it, I admitted it! That and fabrics are my weakness. Well, color, jewelry, okay beautiful and mostly antique or redone items, decor.
I found the difference in the dishes amazing. Not a fan of the new ones also.
Funny how dishes can you happy. The only thing stopping me from having more is lack of space. However, that being said, my real addiction is bowls ! Lovely round curved bowls and the best part is you can stack them inside each other and they don’t need to match. Perfect! Glad you found them. I have 3 lovely dishes also from England that are no longer being manufactured. Can’t seem to find a fourth. I even tried the dish replacement we site. Oh well, love the 3 I have.
I am addicted to dishware. I inherited my mother-in-law’s Haviland, which I love, love, love, Then I have her Johnson Bros. Autumn Delight pattern (discontinued). I have Spode Italian pattern and Burleigh Calico Staffordshire and Noritake Colburn (discontinued). I alternate using different dishes; it seems to set the mood.