Tea Time?: An English Inspired Tea Salon

Crown & Crumpet is “a room with tea and wit”. This tea salon is located in the newly revamped Ghirardelli Square in the heart of old San Francisco. Crown & Crumpet reflects an atmosphere that infuses the idea of the “afternoon tea” tradition with a dose of humor. The space has been architecturally designed [...]

Tips for New Transferware Collectors

Transferware, collectible pieces of pottery originating from Great Britain, bear special patterns transferred from prints made from copper plates. Dating back to the 18th century, transferware has become highly sought after not only for its unique charm, but also because many pieces are quite valuable. The world of transferware is an extensive one, and [...]

The Blue And White Scheme At Guarene Castle

The Blue Room at the Castle of Guarene features a blue and white scheme surrounded by exquisite furniture fitting for a regal mansion.  A Louis XV marble fireplace is fitted with a painted wood fire screen, above which a plaster wall supports various fancy blue and white Chinese porcelains.  The cradle is painted in white and outlined in blue [...]

Jackye Lanham’s Transferware Wall Collection

Designer Jackye Lanham is known for her luxurious interiors that combine both color and comfort.  She believes that a successful design not only includes collections, but has layers of details that encompass a room.  Wallpaper, drapes, furniture and finally accessories are all layers which if carefully chosen and edited can make a grand impact and a bold statement.  [...]

Decoupaging Transferware

It is a shame when a beautiful piece of transferware gets separated from its family.  If you are a transferware collector then you know all to well  how common it is to find a singular saucer or dinner plate on its own at a garage sale or thrift store that you don’t know what to do with.   Have you ever heard [...]

Ralph Lauren’s Coastal Blue & White Room

Navy Decorating Ideas ~ Le Grand Hotel From Ralph Lauren Spring 2010

Ralph Lauren’s Le Grand Hotel Collection is an inspirational response to the coastal elegance of a Riviera.  Coastal decorating has become one of the most popular decorating styles, as it evokes a calming refreshment from the hectic and stressful lifestyles we all find ourselves stuck in.  Although [...]

Blue Willow Transferware

During the 18th century there was a wave of popularity of Chinese hand-painted chinoiserie. The many patterns of Chinese landscapes and scences made their way on hand panted wallpaper, chinoiserie furniture, and of course on the china. Themost famous transfer ware pattern was developed in the late 18th century by Thomas Minton of the Caughley [...]