Speaking of Antiquing – March 2015

My friend Charlotte, in New York keeps me abreast of the latest decorating news. We are both lovers of mixing old and new. A new dress with a vintage pin—a vintage dress with a new scarf…an Ikea dining table with flow blue—a mahogany table with stark white. My daughter paired a lace tablecloth from the 40’s with an orange duvet, placing the tablecloth folded at the foot of her bed. Stunning! There’s just no end to what you can do, mixing old with the new.

This year’s decorating color palette is representative of what we will see in clothing stores. Gift shows are displaying combinations of greens, plums, cerulean blue, beiges and whites with a mixture of textures; much like a Renaissance painting. Deep, rich blues and avocado green combined with burnt orange and your room takes on a completely new look.

This is great news for those of us that have flow blue, a style of white earthenware, (sometimes porcelain) that originated in the Regency era, in the 1820’s from Staffordshire potters in England. The name is derived from the blue glaze that blurred or “flowed” during the firing process.

This is the time to dig out your estate pieces and start combining these colors. Fresh flowers, linens, glassware displayed together, adding a freshness to your home and giving you permission to use your wonderful older things. Scarves aren’t just for around your neck—they make great table runners!

There are many more suggestions of what you can do—and if you are missing a color, consult with me at Sterling Creek Antiques here in Jacksonville to locate that special addition.