Tuesday, April 7, 2009

My first set of Transferware Dishes

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I’ve long admired transferware dishes, but somehow never got any. Til now! I worked out a trade with one of my readers here in Birmingham, when she let me know that she was having a yardsale and had this set available. I told her I wanted it and she wondered if I might like to trade out some decorating advice for the dishes. Would I ever?! So, that is what we did and I came home with this lovely set of brown and white transferware, one of my very favorite colors of these beautiful dishes. I might officially become a dish-aholic now!

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There are 8 plates and many other pieces too, including serving dishes, so I’m very happy with my new set. Plenty to use for company and a party. They are by Royal Mail and are English ironstone.

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I promptly moved the white Target dishes that were in my china cabinet and put these beauties in. They will be the stars now.

Staffordshire brown transferware

Aren’t they so pretty?

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I’m so happy to have my first set of transferware.

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And I will treasure it.

Do you have a favorite set of transferware too? What color is it?

Check out The Decorating Voice blog for a Spring Fling party this week! There's a chance to win a fabulous prize and to show off your spring decorating skills.

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Mary said...

Rhoda, I love the transferware and I think you both got a great deal, your decorating talent for beautiful transferware, a win-win situation! It looks lovely in your cabinet and it will be fun for you to look for additional pieces at yardsales! Mary

Wendy said...

They are so pretty!!

Tracy said...

I love the dishes, I don't own any transferware but brown would be the color I'd want if I did. They're just beautiful.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Wow! What a deal! They look wonderful in your cabinet! I collect red transferware and decorate with it.
~Patti

Stacey said...

Rhoda, as soon as I saw those I knew they would be perfect in your new dining room. Perfect with your neutral look now.

I have the red and white transferware dishes and LOVE them!!

Kat said...

Oh my!!! Those are lovely and look absolutely beautiful in your china cabinet! So pretty! Love the color too!

Kathi said...

Your new dishes are so beautiful in your china cabinet! What a deal! I've always loved transferware.! My mother's china is similar and I love it too! It's an old Spode pattern and I have LOTS of it. The details are lovely, just like yours.

Ashley @ The Happy Little Home said...

Those are so pretty. I love how they look in your cabinet!!

jessiev said...

The transferware deal was a steal for both of you. The dishes are so special but your talent is even more special!
P.S. Yes, I think you may be a dish-aholic. I say if you have a place to put it then you haven't gone over the edge. Your dishes are gorgeous...don't ever stop...you'll find room!

Missy Wertz said...

Love those dishes! If someone has not already done so, I will have to bestow upon you my "Dishaholic" Award. It is a pretty award and coveted by many. ;-)

Bo said...

Hi Miz Rhoda...way to go girl! Your first set of transferware was worth waiting for...it is beautiful! ;-) Bo

Kelly B said...

If you were here, you would see my face was green with envy!! :) They are beautiful!! What a lucky girl you are!! I am sure you will enjoy them... and being a dish-aholic isn't so bad. Since they don't have a help group for it yet, I think we are just fine. ;) Congratulations on your find!! :)

Deb said...

looks like you both got a good deal

Amber Schmidt said...

I had never even heard of transferware until this post but WOW!!! Those are GORGEOUS!

Painter's Place said...

These are gorgeous! I don't have any transferware, but I wish that I had a friend like yours who was willing to swap for some. Lucky you!

Lindsay @ Makely said...

Love them! I have a few mismatched pieces, but your set is gorgeous. Great trade!

Dream Mom said...

Oh, they are just beautiful! Don't you just love it when things work out like that. They look beautiful in your cabinet.

I just purchased a black and white transferware set and love it.

Arlynn said...

What a perfect 1st set for you, so beautiful and os so Southern Hospitality : )

I adore transferware too! In fact, my favorite set is the one I grew up eating off of, it was my Momma's classic blue & white set.

I still get to enjoy meals on them whenever I go home for a visit : )

CMB said...

Love those dishes...what a great trade. I love working that way too!

southerninspiration said...

Oh, be still my heart.....I LOVE those!!! What a great deal...I would LOVE to barter for such a deal as that!!! You lucked out, girl!

suzanne

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Hi Rhoda,

Those are beautiful! Myself, I am a dishes and bedding collector and can't stop myself at places like Home Goods.

Come visit www.carrieloves.com for my giveaways this week :o)

Unknown said...

I do not have any transferware but have been coveting the Bunny toile plates that many people have. So wonderful that you were able to trade to get your magnificent dishes. They do look beautiful in your home.

Cynthia

Tami said...

Rhoda~

Absoulutely gorgeous!! Love the brown. What a wonderful trade too!

Have a great day!
Hugs~T

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

They are beautiful! What a perfect trade. I just love transferware, all the colors. It would be so hard to pick a favorite although I would say I have the most of blue.
~Michelle

Cindy said...

Those are so beautiful and so perfect for you!! How wonderful for both of you women!! Hugs ~cindy s~

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

I also collect antique brown transferware! It can be quite pricey, so we collect it slowly, a piece at a time. I hang the plates and platters on my dining room walls! Love your new dish set, it looks so pretty displayed in your cabinet! :)

Darlene said...

I don't have any but that is GORGEOUS!!! I LOVE it in the brown. It is beautiful in your cabinet.

Cathy said...

They are gorgeous Rhoda..what a great deal!

{{Hugs}}

Cathy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

These are wonderful, Rhoda! I did a post some time back where I featured my collection of blue and white transferware... I collect the souvenir plates from various Florida places, and people love them! I have dinner and desserts to serve about 16 or more. I'm an avowed dishaholic and have been for some time, so I'm always happy to see another one in the sisterhood! ;-)

Love these...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Bonita said...

My name is Bonita and I am a dishaholic...and I'm drooling over that beautiful transferware. What a great trade the two of you made and both of you got the best end of the deal. The dishes are totally beautiful!

Sandra said...

What a great set of transferware! Very pretty! I'm always on the lookout for red transferware.
Have a nice day
Sincerely,
Sandra

Lazy Mom Leslie said...

Just gorgeous! I am so happy for you and a little green at the same time! I do have some transferware, red (or pink as some say) and white. I also have tons of individual spode plates hanging all over the kitchen. I was obsessed for a bit, but I think I'm over it now.

Anonymous said...

I collect antique transferware but prefer to have different pieces as opposed to a matched *set*. I collect red to actually use (it's in my china cabinet and I used it occasionally) - it looks wonderful with my ruby red glassware, that collection started with a piece my great-grandmother received on her wedding day - it was passed down to me.

I also have several pieces of blue - all old - that are displayed in my kitchen. Not to mention enough plates and a few odd pieces in Friendly Village (a winter scene) that I used this past Christmas. Love, LOVE transferware!!

tina
tinam61@yahoo.com

Rebekah said...

Beautiful! And how great that you have serving pieces, too. I love the brown.

Holly said...

Lucky you! It looks so pretty in the china cabinet. Years ago I got a small grouping of brown transferware in some boxes from my grandma's house. Can you believe I gave it to my sister?!

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

I am on the hunt for transfer ware! That was a really great find!!! I would either love to have red and white, green and white or the brown and white!

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

I LOVE it! I recently bought a smattering of pieces off of eBay and hung them in my kitchen. You can see them at http://katandgray.blogspot.com/2009/02/sunday-afternoon-project.html if you'd like. I, too, am a big fan of the brown patterns! I am thinking about selling the "platter" I bought, because it's not a large one (I didn't pay attention when it said it was only 12 inches wide). I wish the center piece of my arrangment was about twice the size it is now. Do you agree?

Katherine in Birmingham

Linda Merrill said...

those are fantastic - lucky you!!!

Sandra Schwab said...

Rhoda, this is a lovely set! I'm sure you will enjoy it a lot!

I started collecting pink transferware last year, and by now I've assembled a lovely mis-matched dining set. Recently I also bought a Burleigh tea set (Red Prunus and Red Calico), which I used for the very first time last Saturday. It looks so pretty with my red couch, and I love it to pieces! :-)

Best wishes from Germany,
Sandy

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Hi Rhoda,
What a fabulous trade!! I love transferware ~ one of my all time favs is Burleighware. When I lived in England I loved going to all the potteries where you could shop in their "seconds" stores for some awesome deals.
Hope you have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Sandy
PS Come on over if you have a chance to check our my 400th post giveaway.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Rhoda,
What a great trade! and how fun for the both of you girls to meet and do something special for each other. I have always wanted a set of transfer ware dishes too, but have found them a bit pricey, may be I can find a trade somewhere. But if I had a set it would be in Red & white, yellow& white or black & white.
I really enjoyed your post.
Take care and have a wonderful day,
Elizabeth

Denise said...

I am so jealous! :) I LOVE transferware, especially brown. I have one cup and saucer I picked up at Goodwill that sits in my dining room. I'm always on the look out for more. You hit the jackpot, congrats! :)

niartist said...

Rhoda, it's really beautiful! And it looks so great in your cabinet all put together! :) Great find.

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

They are so pretty! I love that there are English Tudor homes in the scenes...I have an English Tudor home so I'm partial to them!

The Tattered Cottage said...

Your new dishes are absolutley beautiful! And they look great in your cabinet. I think transferware is beautiful and adds a touch of romance to any table. Congrats! to you. I too love transferware but haven't acquired any pieces yet...I love the red & white along with the Black & White....someday ... :)

Toni

julie & joe said...

Those are beautiful! I LOVE transferware. I collected my first set in high school from the grocery store and took them to college. I sold them several years ago but I started a collection of souvineer transferware plates, the rule is they have to be from a place we have visited. I also inherited a set of Spode tower in blue from my grandmother when she passed away in January. I have been on the hunt to expand my place settings.

Susan Lang @ Designing Your Dream Home said...

I just love reading about a WIN WIN! Good for both of you!

the pleasures of homemaking said...

What a great deal (for both of you)! Love them and they look so pretty in your cabinet!

Manuela

Carry Grace said...

Beautiful, what a great trade for both of you.

akawest said...

Gorgeous! The way you have the dishes displayed is stunning.

I have a few odd pieces of blue and white. An entire set would be a wonderful treat.

Joanna said...

They are beautiful!!!

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

What a fabulous trade! Rhoda, they are beautiful! Brown, red and black are my favorite colors of transferware.
I actually had quite a bit of blue that I just gave to one of my older sisters.
Congrats on your lovely new dishes. It would be so easy to start collecting them. They remind me of toile.
Have a great week!

morethanthestarsinthesky said...

Hey Rhoda-

I have ONE of those same plates! I only bought one of two that the store had. They were pricey, but I only needed one and I love it!

That's great you got that collection of timeless treasure :)


Hope you have a Blessed Easter!

Amanda

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love transferware. I have both a red and a blue set by Johnson Bros. The pattern is Old Britain Castles.

I love all colors of tranferware. I just finished a mosaic birdhouse with brown transferware about a month ago. I love the way it turned out. You can see it on my Lavender Hill Studio blog if you scroll back a bit..
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

Congrats.How very special.I have never been too interested in dishes either.And always just put a centerpiece on the table and that was it.But.....now,Ms Susan has gotten half the planet into dishes.The dish companies that were going out of business surely are doing better now,huh?
I'm so happy for you.Like you,i would love to have a set NOW.haha...Ann

Allidink said...

Oh my gosh! I want plates like that! Those are so pretty!

All the best,
Allison

Erin said...

the dishe are fabulous! and a trade too - even better. My transferware is red and cream - still collecting and love find pieces. Pop on over for my 100th post give-away!

Tammy518 said...

I love transferware and the black and white is so beautiful! I've got four black and white plates and quite a bit pink and white transferware. I've become a dishaholic after reading all the blogs. You should do a tablescape sometime for Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. I'm always amazed by the creative tablescapes everyone comes up with.

Unknown said...

Rhoda,

You are so lucky. The set is beautiful and look great in your hutch. I'm so jealous, I would love a set just
like that. Please post about the decorating advice you gave as the trade.

Thanks,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations for receiving your first set of transferware! Oh, they're beautiful! What a nice lady to make a swap with you! Your new dishes look beautiful in your china cabinet. Okay! Welcome to the Dishaholics Club! You can also join us on Thursdays for Tablescape Thursdays! WooHooness!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Rose said...

I think that is the same pattern I have at the antique store to sell. It's not a set though, it's only a few salad plates and saucers and I think, one cup as well. I didn't know it was called transferware though.
Yeah welcome to dishaholics! lol I got started late in life but am really doing catch up! ;)
Congrats!!!

Unknown said...

So simple and classic! Love it!

CJ'SMOMMY*KIMBERLY said...

Oh Rhoda how beautiful!!! Also you know I'm going to ask,has she had her garage sale yet??? I want to go!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

Watch out, it is addicting! I love my transferware. It one of eight (yes, EIGHT!) sets of dishes that I have.

Unknown said...

These are amazing! I think my Mommy might have had a few pieces when I was growing up. Very, very pretty!

Amanda said...

OH MY GOSH!!! that is awesome!!! I would give a left arm to have a set like that! I have the red & white and brown & white- I think they are Churchill. I use them ALL the time. Enjoy !!!!

Suzanne said...

Beautiful! Lucky you and lucky receiver of your decorating advice!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Sooooo pretty!!!! :)

Unknown said...

Love the dishes! I have never found a full set like that, just pieces.

WendyBee said...

Oh, Rhoda! I love your new brown transferware! And on the barter system too---way cool. You're a class act, and I want to thank you for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment. It's brand new and a bit of a ghost town.
And what a coincidence, I had just mentioned of all things, brown transferware, in a post. We must be on the same wavelength...
WendyBee

RJ said...

Rhoda I absolutely love your new dishes and they look gorgeous in your black cabinet. I have tons of red transferware in three patterns...the Cottswalds, the Castles and your pattern (although I did not know the name until tonight). We had returned from a trip to England when I found the Cottswalds pattern. I loved that part of England and just had to start collecting. After awhile I could not find anymore so I stared adding the other two patterns. I loved the mix. But as much as I love my dishes I wish they were all brown! RJ

Anonymous said...

Oh, how lovely! You will have so much fun using these for family and friends in the years ahead! It will be fun for you to keep your eye out for more pieces to complement the transferware.

Your photos were great!

Best,
Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm

Oh, I have blue and red.

Heathahlee said...

They are so pretty! They remind me of my granmother's Currier and Ives blue and white dishes. I wish I had those! : )

Silvia said...

beautifulllll!, but i have a silly question, why are they call transferwear???.thanks .
silvia.

Unknown said...

The dishes are beautiful. No, I don't have any of these lovely plates and dishes. They do look terrific in your cabinets.

Sue said...

Rhoda,
What a great win/win for both of you. Your dishes look beautiful. Welcome to the dishaholic family my friend.
Hugs,
Sue

Lori Bee said...

Oh Rhoda...these are beautiful! ENJOY! Lori

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

You lucky girl! I'm always tempted to buy these, but there are so many things I would love that I need to restrain myself! Enjoy them!

mah said...

I have the same set. I love it. I bought the largest part of the set from a flea market, the rest I get from ebay. Each plate tells a different story. Love it.

Twice as Nice said...

Love the dishes and the way you got them even more!

Southern Charm said...

I have no idea what transfereware is but it sure is pretty. I love to barter!
Enjoy

Yvonne said...

I just wanted to say that I love your site! I first read about you on Kelee Katillac's, katillacshack.com, and wanted to know more. I love all the insights on decorating! Thanks for the inspiration.

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog (Grass Stains). to say hello! I, too, was excited to find that you live in Birmingham. I live in Bluff Park, part of Hoover. I'd love to get all the Birmingham ladies together sometime, too .... I don't know if you read BooMama or not (it's not a design blog), but I met up with several other Bham bloggers last year at her house. So much fun!

Decor To Adore said...

My red (or pink) transferware was collected piece by piece at various European flea markets.
My husband jokes that it would be the first things I would grab in a fire. :)

Montee said...

These are beautiful! Lucky you!

SarahWhite said...

Lovely Rhoda! What a great trade...sounds like everyone came out a winner! And yes, I do have transferware and it is brown. I enjoyed running into you the other day...we passed on the chair. :)

Anonymous said...

So pretty Rhoda and barter LOVE IT !!

I don't have any...and I am a DISH (well hubby tells me so lol) PERSON...I have to say as I get older I like them more and more !!

Happy Easter Rhoda in case I don't get back here again this week :)

God Bless,
Kathy :)

Robyn said...

love the transferware dishes! i'm jealous.

Essential Oil Premier University said...

What a lovely treasure.

Is that your wedding bouquet I see sitting on top of those plates? Another treasure, perhaps?! :)

Blessings,

Sher

Jeanne Oliver said...

You are so lucky...then again...so is she. The dishes look great in your cabinet.

Lisa Metzger said...

My "Amma" (grandma) who passed away 10 years ago, had this same set! I remember eating oatmeal out of them and trying to get down to the bottom to see the picture! :) Now I am searching for a plate or two of my own on Ebay...thanks for the post!

Anonymous said...

I just love transfer ware and those are particularly pretty. I got hooked some time ago when my husband brought home a box full he found by the side of the road -- he thought the serving bowls GOOD DOG DISHES!!! A few trips to second hand store, ebay and Craigslist, i have almost a full set. Serindipity.

Kathleen Ellis said...

ooooh! You lucky girl, you! and such a wise negotiator! what a trade! they are lovely!
Happy Easter!
;-D

midnight macaroons said...

Fantastic set! You would be a blast to go shopping with. Wish I lived near Birmingham. We are heading over to the Gulf Shores in a couple of weeks. Being from Bama I was wondering if you have any suggestions on shopping. I love shopping antique shops and flea markets. Any suggestions?

Susan said...

Rhoda!

When Suzanne stopped by my store today (Black-eyed Susan!) and told me of your new aquired treasure! Little did she know I am an avid collector of all dishes, but especially brown transfer-ware!! I have a really fabulous collection that I aquired about 7 or 8 years ago. Oneof my friends who had an antique store picked it up at auction and stopped by to show me. She knew how much I love dishes, and even more so an entire set of dishes! Of course, I took them without a blink! I have service for 12, including dinner, salad, dessert, cups and saucers, serving dishes (with covers!) platters, and best of all, butter pats!! I love hanging plates as art. However, my brown transfer-ware has a place of prominence much like yours! I have a great tall cupboard (about the height of a great old mantle) at the top of a staircase . Everytime I go upstairs, I see them and my heart sings!!

A few years ago, I wondered what the real value of the set was. I happened to be living in Chapel Hill, NC for a short time and stopped by "Replacements", a fabulous resource for any china pattern, old, new, or discontinued. And,to my surprise, I discovered that my set was worth about $15000.00!! I paid about $600.00 . They are my personal favorites and I'll have to investigate your email address and send you a photo.

I love yours! And, you have done a great job displaying them. I love turning china cabinets into biblioteques and including objects of art, old books and the like. You have found yourself quite a treasure!!

Sorry for the long reply, but I guess we share a love of brown transfer-ware! I also discovered that brown is the most rare color.

Great find!

Jo said...

I learn so much from your blog! Before this post, I had no idea what transferware was, but I wikipedia-ed it and I have to say that I LOVE the Royal Stafford pieces I saw on the web. Weren't those cute little dogs that you got for a STEAL, also Royal Stafford?

Take care!

Jo Draven

Barbara said...

Gorgeous! I've never seen black and white transferware - I am crazy about red and white transferware.

cotedetexas said...

Just gorgeous!!!!!! Love this!

Lillibeth said...

Hi,
I'm a stranger coming in a bit late:) But I wanted to thank you for posting these pictures! I had been looking at an ad for kitchen cabinets in the June 2009 issue of Victorian Homes magazine, and saw some charming transferware china "decorating" the kitchen. I have been curious as to what it was called. You have the very same china:)And now I know what name to look for:)
-Mrs. Humphrey