Ironstone & Tiffany Blue

I adore antique ironstone.

Collecting and displaying antique English ironstone | diy beautify

I blame it all on Miss Mustard Seed :)

I've followed her blog for several years and she has done several posts on this beautiful, creamy white English pottery, like how to identify ithow to clean it and the beauty in the crazing.

This post contains affiliate links (*); read my full disclosure policy here.

You can find out more about white ironstone*; and if you love Miss Mustard's Seed's style, you'll want to read her book*!


I  decided that I wanted to start collecting white English ironstone too.  I liked the idea that these pieces were crafted long ago, many in England (I love England). They have rich history, not to mention beauty. And there's just something so timeless about the creamy white color.  I can mix and match patterns and they all look wonderful together.

I started scouring thrift stores, Goodwill and yard sales.  Over the last couple of years, I have found quite a few pieces....lots of dishes and several creamers and sugars.  I've never paid more than $3 for a piece...many were under $1.

As I was decorating my new TN kitchen, I had an 'aha' moment one day.  I had a blank space on one wall.  I also had a craft display cabinet sitting in storage that I had used in my craft room in Florida to hold ribbons and other small supplies.  It's made by Making Memories and you can purchase it from Michaels online only here*. I sourced another beautiful farmhouse cabinet* that would be perfect for displaying ironstone or another collection!

I decided to paint my cabinet to show off some of my smaller ironstone pieces.  I mixed up a custom chalk paint, tinting it 'Tiffany Blue' as I wanted it to really pop against my wall. And because aqua just might be my favorite color! Don't believe me? Read this post! The outside got a coat of creamy white. Then it was distressed and waxed with dark wax*.

You can get my diy chalk paint recipe over here. If you don't want to make your own, here is another alternative; this paint is a similar color and is very affordable (and just happens to be a favorite of mine). A little too dark? Try this one!


Collecting and displaying English ironstone | diy beautify


I added some ironstone platters and a thrift store cutting board with a great patina to the top shelf.


Collecting and displaying ironstone | diy beautify


This display has not only allowed me to bring these ironstone pieces out into the open where I can enjoy them every day, but it adds a welcome pop of color to the room.


Collecting and displaying ironstone | diy beautify



Does your heart sing for ironstone the way mine does?


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Comments

  1. Wow! What a pop of color! I love that your prettiest are on display so you can enjoy them.

    One of these days I'm going to find the perfect hutch for my kitchen. Then I'm going to color it up with a pop of blue too.

    Thanks for the inspiration! I found you at Just a Girl and her Blog linky party.

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    1. Thanks Ashley, it makes my kitchen a happier place :) I encourage you to keep looking...I found 2 great hutches on Craigslist for well under $100..I'll have to feature them soon!

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  2. Well I'm all about ironstone, aqua and hydrangeas....so I'm all over this. Plus my name is Cindy too. There ya go. Thanks for your visit to ::cottage instincts::!

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  3. That is beautiful! I just scored an antique secretary desk and planned on doing similar colors. Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase! I am gonna pin this one to our board!

    Shelly from MinettesMaze

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    1. Thank you so much Shelly! I think a secretary desk would look stunning :) - Cindy

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  4. Love this!! Absolutely gorgeous! Hugs! Claire

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  5. Beautiful collection and display!

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  6. This is so pretty! Love the shade of turquoise with the white dishes in front of it! Thanks for linking it up to the Get Your DIY On Link Party! :)

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  7. This display is so pretty! The contrast of the ironstone against the blue is gorgeous!

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  8. Thank you for sharing this beautiful display at my party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  9. I love the white against that blue!!! Gorgeous :)

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  10. That's quite a collection you have there. I love ironstone, too, especially my 1800's platter...Happy Collecting!

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    1. Oooh, that's something I don't have yet...a platter. I'll have to keep hunting :)

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  11. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your stunning collection and cheerful display.

    Amy @ http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com

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    1. You're welcome Amy, thank you for your sweet comments!

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  12. Featuring your project on Sunday at our next "Get Your DIY On" link up party! Bring a fall wreath if you've got one! :)

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    1. WOW, I'm so honored! Thank you! I do have a fall wreath :) I'll see you at the party!

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  13. Incredibly beautiful! The contrast is perfect!

    Xo Kylie

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  14. This is just beautiful. I love how the ironstone pops against the blue. I'm visiting from the Thrifty Thursday link party.

    Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life

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    1. Hey Christy, thanks for the visit and the nice comment :)

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  15. I have also recently started collecting ironstone (inspired by Miss Mustard Seed). I love the contrast against your display shelf. I'm a new follower :)

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    1. Isn't it addicting?! I hunt for it everywhere now, lol! Thanks for following :)

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  16. I have a few pieces of white English Ironstone, and other antique pieces, but I'd love to buy every one I come across. They look stunning against that brilliant blue ;-)

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    1. Thank you JoAnn. I hear you, it is hard to walk away from a pretty piece!

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  17. Your ironstone collection is so pretty...especially nestled in that gorgeous Tiffany Blue shelf. Thanks for linking up to our All Things Thursday Blog Hop last week. I'm featuring your ironstone collection this week. I hope you'll be back to link up more fun projects tomorrow night at 8pm Central. Have a wonderful week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  18. Love your collection, I too started collecting this not so long ago but am not nearly as lucky finding it anywhere cheap...love your color choices:-) awesome!!

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    1. Thanks Laurie...I had a couple great sources when we lived in SW FL...now I'm having a hard time finding anything, which may be a good thing as my cupboards are stuffed :)

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  19. Ha! An ironstone convert. :) You should see all of the pieces I came home with today... All of your pieces look great against that pretty blue.

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  20. What a beautiful display! Love the combination of Ironstone and Tiffany blue. Thanks for sharing with this week's Throwback Thursday party.

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    1. Thanks so much Paula! It really has become one of my favorite combos! But I'm running out of room, lol!

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  21. Love the Tiffany color! Such a great compliment to your pieces! Thanks for stopping by Throwback Thursday party!

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  22. Greetings,
    I love your ironstone...I'm collecting it's Texas cousins :^)
    The small piece on the top right is Adams "Empress". I LOVE that pattern and have most of a set of it. I pick up pieces every time I see them at the thrift store or in garage sales.
    Blessings to you,
    J

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    1. Hey Jaybird, the Adams "Empress" is one of my all-time faves! .99 cents at Goodwill!! You're lucky to have lots of it!! I've never seen the pattern before, do you know the approximate age?? Good luck in your collecting!!

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  23. Okay - this pop of color is PERFECTION with that white. And you have me wanting to break out a paint brush and paint the inside of my hutch right now. All my white would pop!

    Stopping over from Primitive and Proper.

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    1. Thank you Kim...I'm kinda partial to it myself :) I agree that my ironstone positively glows against the turquoise! The inside of your hutch would look beautiful painted this color...thanks for stopping by!

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  24. Hi Cindy! I'm visiting from Holly Crescent Cottage - you left a comment on my post about my Ironstone collection and I wanted to stop by and take a look at yours. So lovely! I love the Tiffany blue shelf/cabinet - the white really pops against it. I've been peeking around some of your other posts too. Your home is beautiful and I love your blog. I will definitely be adding it to my favorites!

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    1. Hey Marie, I'm so happy you stopped by to check out my ironstone...and decided to stay awhile :) Thank you for your sweet comments, I'm so thrilled you like DIY beautify...I hope you'll be back :) Have a wonderful evening.

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  25. I came across your web page and noticed that you also have a love of white ironstone.

    I wanted to let you know that you are far from alone; the White Ironstone China Association, an educational association centered around white ironstone china, has a presence both online and off.

    We have members from all over North America, many of whom gather at our yearly convention. We have speakers from around the world who give presentations regarding this shared obsession.

    We have a web page and a face book page, and if you ever have questions regarding marks, makers, items, etc., we have many knowledgeable members and resources available.

    https://www.whiteironstonechina.com
    https://www.facebook.com/WhiteIronstoneChinaAssociation

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