With the royal wedding occurring this weekend, I wanted to focus on English color palettes. I think we are all excited to see England resplendent with her finest decorations on display. The fashion industry is waiting in the wings to replicate the wedding attire worn by participants and guests. My recent market visit made me wonder if the home furnishings industry had the royal family in mind as well. The deep reds, blues, gold, and emerald greens I saw in many showrooms are the same colors seen in castles and cathedrals in Great Britain.
Picturesque Cotswold cottages are the epitome of another popular look. British designer and author Rachel Ashwell’s shabby chic designs and books on cottage decorating style are full with an array of blue, cream, rose and brown hues. She finds flea market antiques from England, France, and surrounding territories. Tapestries, oil paintings of trees and sheep, hand painted furniture, soft linens, toile fabrics of all colors, Staffordshire porcelain, bench made furniture of mahogany and walnut, and stacks upon stacks of dishes are what I envision when I think of England. I have four sets of English dishes. The set of dishes you see in the pictures I posted came from England. Blue and white willow was made 200 years ago in England and then Occupied Japan made the same pattern. Blue and white
willow is still being reproduced.
On a road trip recently, I stopped by several antique stores and picked up blue and white willow made in Occupied Japanese. Also, I brought back a few Johnson Brothers green and rose on white print pattern.
Love these. I don’t see the Johnson Brothers patterns as much, although Johnson Brothers is newer. Most of the ones I find say ironstone.
My Tuesday tip for this week is a suggestion to raise a glass, or better yet, a tea cup to our mates in England. Enjoy the royal wedding in your most comfortable chair or at our upcoming “Royal Treatment” event. We will be showing replays of the wedding at the event as you enjoy massages and facials during our pink ribbon sale to benefit Susan G. Komen Triad Affiliate. See the event page on our
website or call us at 336-778-1030 for further details.