The Best Timeless Collectibles + China & Holiday Treasures


Hi Everyone,

In the past few weeks, I’ve been working my tail off on my new Holiday Shop, and I’ve added dozens of beautiful items; everything from ornaments to elegant tableware. It’s an ongoing labor of love (and yes, so much fun).

Right now, I’m focusing on holiday decor, but many of these pieces also make wonderful gifts — the kind you keep forever, or wish you had. I definitely wish I had some collections. I have the space for more things now. But, it’s low on the list.

As an aside, I met a professional installer who stood there staring at everything for over an hour and asked me things like, “Are you sure you want to do this? Is there someone else who can do a better job?

 

Why do you want to do this?”

 

I said, “That’s irrelevant,” as nicely as I could. I mean, it is. You guys know that I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time considering what I want to do. I love the tapestry, it’s just that there are issues with every print, either too small or off-color.

So, I asked her, “If you had no material in front of you, what would be your ideal situation?”

 

I asked that question two, maybe three times. This is the sort of thing that’s wearing me down. There’s a lot more, but I’ll spare you.

 

But, here’s the thing. And I think it’s important for all of us to remember, especially as we are approaching the busy holiday season.

 

Do what you can.

Help other people.

Laugh.

Exercise

Sleep.

Eat healthfully.

Be grateful for everything.

It’s enough.

Okay, let’s get into the post.

 

✨ Holiday Magic for Every Corner of your Home

 

Some of the treasures I’ve gathered will look right at home on your mantel, tree, doors, tables, and walls. Others are lovely collectibles — or is it collectables?

Well, the spelling depends on where you live. Here in the U.S., it’s collectibles. Across the pond, it’s collectables. So choose your side. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Either way, I adore those glass-front cabinets and open shelves filled with beautifully styled collections of ironstone, transferware, silver, and sparkling glassware. However, it’s not necessary to have everything in one cabinet.

I like collections that primarily have one element, but mixed in are two or three others that coordinate nicely.

Like creamy ironstone mixed with transferware of whatever color you like.

 

🩵 A Few Thoughts on Ceramics (Without Putting You to Sleep)

 

There are so many types of ceramics that it could fill not just a blog post, but an entire encyclopedia. Still, here’s a quick “Laurel-ized” summary.

 

All ceramics begin with clay, sometimes mixed with other minerals, and fired at a high temperature — with or without glaze — to create everything from pottery and tiles to fine china.

 

💡Did You Know?

 

“Bone china” really does contain bone. Ground animal bone, to be precise. (Sorry to my sister, Holly and others who are vegans.) I learned that despite its delicate appearance, bone china is actually the most durable of all fine chinas. Plus, it’s dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe. Although I wouldn’t put my pricey bone china in the oven!

 

💙 The Beautiful World of Transferware and Ironstone

 

Laurel, what’s with the cute symbols?

 

I didn’t do that. I had ChatGPT edit my writing in the hopes that I could get the post out on time.

Let’s go back to the ceramics. This isn’t a complete list because there are many others and sub-types based on region.

 

However, these are amongst my favorites in terms of timeless collectibles:

 

• Ironstone, a type of English earthenware first patented in Staffordshire, is usually creamy white and simple in shape.
• Then there’s transferware, which uses engraved designs that are transferred onto pottery — most famously in blue and white patterns such as Blue Willow. Transferware is usually a type of ironstone or creamware.
• Flow Blue takes that a step further; the cobalt “flows” during firing, creating a softly blurred, dreamy look that collectors go crazy for.
  Delftware, on the other hand, originated in Delft, Netherlands. It’s tin-glazed, often hand-painted, and unmistakably charming.

 

🤍 Creamware, Wedgwood & Other Favorites

 

Creamware is a refined earthenware with a luminous glaze — a lovely warm neutral that pairs beautifully with anything.
Then there’s the legendary Wedgwood, founded by Josiah Wedgwood in the 18th century. His Jasperware pieces — the pale blue matte finish with neoclassical white reliefs — are instantly recognizable.
Wedgwood also made a glossy fine china line that mixes seamlessly with modern white dinnerware.
And of course, we can’t forget Chinese porcelain, the true ancestor of them all. The earliest blue-and-white porcelain dates back to around 1600 BCE — that’s roughly 3,600 years ago! (Talk about timeless.)

 

🧂A Note About Vintage Ceramics and Safety

 

Yes, taken with a grain of salt, because nothing I say constitutes advice. So, please always do your due diligence when it comes to antiques and safety.
The reality is that older ceramics and glass glazes may contain lead or other toxins. So, as pretty as that antique platter is, I would only use it for special occasions. 
If a piece is cracked or crazed, keep it decorative only. There are also kits for testing lead.

I loved a tip from House of Brinson: they use their vintage transferware for special occasions only and get regular blood checks for lead, since they’re often renovating. Wise advice.

 

First, let’s look at some inspiration images.

 

Nelson Hancock interiors – Fantastic silver collection

 

@slightly_worn on Instagram – exquisite kitchen shelf styling

 

Wonderful styling of Chinoiserie in Furlow Gatewood’s charming kitchen. Photo by Rod Collins

 

John Rosselli artfully displays a bountiful collection of blue and white Chinoiserie.

 

Photo Anne Lubner Designs – John Roselli

 

 

A wonderful blue and white Chinoiserie vignette by  Maura Endres on Instagram.

 

 

Not really a collection. My old living room using what I already had.

 

via One King’s Lane

 

Legendary Kitchen. Photo by Bieke Claessens

 

Everyone’s favorite, Loi Thai. Here is his gorgeous Inst account.

 

Pretty ironstone pieces

Madcap Cottage with a beautiful 19th-century cabinet filled with vintage china.

 

Maura Endres displays her gorgeous vintage china collection.

 

Lovely vignette featuring ironstone and seashells. Museum putty is good to use to keep the plates from falling over.

 

Please pin the image below to Pinterest for reference.

 

❤️ What You’ll Find Below

 

To make things simple, I’ve created three curated shopping widgets with some absolutely stunning pieces:

 

1. Blue & White Treasures – timeless porcelain, transferware, and ceramics in every shade from Delft to cobalt. I also mixed in a few other things, such as a bit of silver, ironstone, and glass.

 

2. Brown & White Beauties – rich, earthy tones in creams and browns.

This is mostly creamy white ironstone, but there’s also some brown and white and other related patterns. There is an old post about collecting ironstone and creamware here.  Although, that post is about decorating above cabinets.

 

3. Christmas Classic Collectibles – festive pieces for your table, mantel, or collection that sparkle with holiday cheer.

Most of this is classic red and green, but with some twists.

 

 

In addition, there’s even more in the holiday shop.

 

In the section under trees, the widgets there also contain decorative items and gifts that one wouldn’t use on a tree. Please also check out the Hanukkah widget. I love this one because it’s not overly “theme-y.” My feeling is to use whatever colors and symbols of the holiday that you and your loved ones enjoy.

 

🕯️ In Closing (awww, Chat put in a little candle. He’s so sweet!)

 

There’s something magical about surrounding yourself with pieces that have history and patina. Of course, if that’s not your thing, and if you’re more comfortable with new items, that’s also totally fine.  However, collecting can also mean display, like a piece of art. In addition, I bet even if you’re not into vintage finds, there’s at least one person on your gift list who is.

 

I hope you enjoy browsing the new collections as much as I loved finding them.

 

Happy decorating and collecting!
 Oh, please know that many of these are one-of-a-kind items. If, for some reason, you miss out and it’s a specific item like Blue Willow, for example, you can put in that search term on Etsy, and others like it will pop up. They also give suggestions at the bottom of the page.

xo,

 

***Please check out the recently updated HOT SALES!

And a beautiful, newly updated Holiday Shop!

There is now an Amazon link on my home page and below. Thank you for the suggestion!

Please note that I have decided not to create a membership site. However, this website is very expensive to run. To provide this content, I rely on you, the kind readers of my blog, to use my affiliate links whenever possible for items you need and want. There is no extra charge to you. The vendor you’re purchasing from pays me a small commission.

To facilitate this, some readers have asked me to put

A link to Amazon.com is on my home page.

Please click the link before items go into your shopping cart. Some people save their purchases in their “save for later folder.” Then, if you remember, please come back and click my Amazon link, and then you’re free to place your orders. While most vendor links have a cookie that lasts a while, Amazon’s cookies only last up to 24 hours.

Thank you so much!

I very much appreciate your help and support!