"Romantic Victorian Style" also referred to as "Country Victorian", is a great look for collectors and home owners who enjoy combining cottage chic with turn of the century elegance. Borrowing design elements from earlier times, the romantic cottage collector enjoys the "feminine" touches that were prevalent during the Victorian period but not the dark and heavy textiles, window treatments, and furniture.
Flowers are everywhere… as patterns on china, tablecloths, napkins, draperies, and wallpaper. Elaborate bouquets of either fresh or dried flowers in attractive vases are always present. Roses are by far the most popular motif for the romantic cottage collector. Hand-painted china, vases, gorgeous serving pieces, collections of decorative plates, figurines, and candlesticks are all very desired collectibles. Buffets, china cabinets, and dining room sets are painted white or pink and showcase lovely collections of floral teapots, cups and saucers, creamers, pitchers and other dining accessories.
Ornate crystal chandeliers, Italian tole, and decorative sconces are very compatible with divine dining. You will find fine examples of these romantic style collectibles in my new book Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes.
"Cottage Chic" is really a perfect choice for homeowners who want to add a little pizzazz to their holiday table without going over budget. Because "Romantic-County Victorian"allows you to blend the new with the old, you can use what you have or add a few elegant touches.
For example, set your table in style by finding a beautiful older tablecloth to overlay atop you newer tablecloth. Many hand embroidered or lace square or round cloths make gorgeous additions to you holiday table. Check for stains, holes and missing stitches when buying older linens .Colorful floral tablecloths from the 1940s-1950s with pink or red roses are also attractive to use.
This is the time to take an old silver plated pitcher or pottery vase and fill with flowers. If you have a closet of decorative plates passed down from grandma or your favorite aunt, bring them out and use them to serve condiments, appetizers,desserts etc. Mixing different kinds of china plates is fun and very "in" today.
You may also enjoy serving tea or coffee in pretty vintage tea cups. It's time to take these lovely china cups out of your buffet closet and use them! What are you waiting for ? If you need to buy a few more cups, go ahead and visit your nearby antique shop or on-0line auction. These collectibles are readily available and so easy to find.
A hand painted creamer and sugar set are also darling additions to your special table. When buying china, always run your finger around the inside of the rim to check for chips. Pass up pieces with cracks, crackling or discoloration. On the other hand if you chip a china teapot, pitcher or creamer that you have, don't despair, re-purpose them .......use them for flowers.
Suppose you break a few dishes along the way, hang onto the pieces. Broken china is very collectible. Many people enjoy the craft of broken china mosaics, also called "pique-assiette." When it comes to "cottage chic" everything can be used for something.
"Cottage Chic" is really a perfect choice for homeowners who want to add a little pizzazz to their holiday table without going over budget. Because "Romantic-County Victorian"allows you to blend the new with the old, you can use what you have or add a few elegant touches.
For example, set your table in style by finding a beautiful older tablecloth to overlay atop you newer tablecloth. Many hand embroidered or lace square or round cloths make gorgeous additions to you holiday table. Check for stains, holes and missing stitches when buying older linens .Colorful floral tablecloths from the 1940s-1950s with pink or red roses are also attractive to use.
This is the time to take an old silver plated pitcher or pottery vase and fill with flowers. If you have a closet of decorative plates passed down from grandma or your favorite aunt, bring them out and use them to serve condiments, appetizers,desserts etc. Mixing different kinds of china plates is fun and very "in" today.
You may also enjoy serving tea or coffee in pretty vintage tea cups. It's time to take these lovely china cups out of your buffet closet and use them! What are you waiting for ? If you need to buy a few more cups, go ahead and visit your nearby antique shop or on-0line auction. These collectibles are readily available and so easy to find.
A hand painted creamer and sugar set are also darling additions to your special table. When buying china, always run your finger around the inside of the rim to check for chips. Pass up pieces with cracks, crackling or discoloration. On the other hand if you chip a china teapot, pitcher or creamer that you have, don't despair, re-purpose them .......use them for flowers.
Suppose you break a few dishes along the way, hang onto the pieces. Broken china is very collectible. Many people enjoy the craft of broken china mosaics, also called "pique-assiette." When it comes to "cottage chic" everything can be used for something.
Photo shown above courtesy of Hot Cottage Colectibles for Vintage Style Homes
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.
To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff
Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com
Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com
Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.
To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff
Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com
Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com
Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.
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