Blue and white and palest lemon.........

Shabby decor encompasses many colors and designs, but for me, there is just one that says "This is shabby chic, this is comfort, this is where I want to sit."

Imagine the palest lemon painted walls, white wainscoting with a dado rail, stripped pine floorboards and pristine white net curtains billowing softly in the breeze from the open window. The sofa and chairs in blue and white, are soft and plump, with feather filled cushions that invite you to come in and sit down. Soft rugs sit beneath the seat to cushion your feet while a small table and a lamp encourage you to curl up with a book and read.

Pine shelves and cupboards display old dishes and china, many pieces collected over the years. Various patterns of blue and white china dominate. The English love affair with blue and white china began in the 18th century with the introduction of Willow Pattern china. Based on elements of the pattern, various stories were invented to promote the sale of the china.

The most famous of which tells the story of a wealthy Mandarin who had a beautiful daughter. She fell in love with a poor man, and wanted to marry him. This angered her father who banished the young man from his house and kept his daughter inside while awaiting the arrival of a powerful duke she was due to marry. However, on the night before the wedding, the young man came to 'rescue' the Mandarin's daughter and they escaped to an island where they lived happily for many years. One day, the duke found them and had them killed, but the gods, moved by their plight immortalized them as doves, eternally flying together in the sky.
 

Flow Blue, is another incredibly popular china, that also became available in the late 18th century. Many of the patterns were based on Chinese designs and the name Flow Blue came from the way the pattern was transferred onto the porcelain. Decorative patterns were applied with a paper stencil to white glazed 'blanks'. The stencils burned away in the kiln during firing, leaving behind a vivid cobalt blue color, which is the most sought after shade.

Delft blue tiles were also very popular and common in Victorian kitchens, providing a gentle hand-painted finish that contrasted so beautifully with the copper pans and skillets that hung from racks on the ceiling and glowed softly in the light from the range.

Victoria ware china, it's delicate blue and white patterns appeared on tea tables in drawing rooms through the country, serving breakfast and afternoon tea. Trays would be laid out with a teapot of black tea filled with hot water. Alongside this was a hot water jug, so that you may warm the tea and refill the pot. A sugar bowl and milk jug was also supplied along with tiny tea spoons. Madeira, Fruit or Seed cake graced the table in addition to light as air sponge Madeline's and all manner of sandwiches which were served during afternoon tea.

So come and sit down with us for a while, have a cuppa!

Wendy