Sunday, March 11, 2012

Garage-Sale Finds: Blue & White China

I found some terrific blue-and-white china pieces recently. First up, this beauty. It was $14 at one of my local charity stores. Not a rock-bottom price, but pretty darn good for it size--14 inches tall and10 inches in diameter.


It looks quite at home on our modern living-room coffee table, nestled next to an antique Japanese writing desk:


The bigger bargain, however, was four pieces of blue-and-white for a mere $20 at a garage sale in my neighborhood. I nabbed this jar (foreground) and a full-size umbrella stand (background):


The umbrella stand is 18 inches high. Usually, a piece like this would go on the ground. Maybe even be used for umbrellas, eh? But our living room is large, and the limestone-topped coffee table in its center is huge. Two full-size couches flank this table. The proportions in the room call out for large pieces to keep things in scale:


At the same garage sale, I also picked up this vase, with its sunny bands of yellow:


And this vase, an titch taller than Mr. Sunny Yellow Bands, at 14 inches:


They now flank a composition on the sofa table that includes a couple of "Double Happiness" ginger jars I bought years ago from Pier One and a large cloisonne enamel bowl The Hubby and I bought at auction at a local hotel:


When you have a clear-cut theme in your decor, like blue-and-white and Asian, it's a snap to add in more pieces. You know exactly what's going to look good with what's already there:


The trick is, don't overload your surfaces, or it starts to look grandmother-y.


And know when to stop shopping.


9 comments:

  1. What fabulous finds!! Lucky you! I've GOT TO start checking my local thrift shops-- especially since I don't have your neighborhood streets to prowl! (you know me, and blue and white -- always looking for more pieces). I 'm especially looking for one piece (probably similar to your new jar (pictured with the umbrella holder); I have a similar umbrella holder (maybe an antique?) but need another container about the same size to put on the floor to hide some unsightly wires. Found one for more $ than I wanted to spend, but never thought of thrift shops -- you've inspired me. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great finds, you got some great deals! I love the umbrella stand!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice blog, The points which are included in this blog are really very informative for me. Thanks a lot for sharing. Visit Website

    ReplyDelete
  4. If your parking whole lot access makes scratchy tones during opening, it can wake the whole neighbourhood. Specialist companies can fix the noises once for all. They either repair the torsion springs or replace them completely. garage door services Malibu

    ReplyDelete
  5. When the metal tracks of the door openers are loose, tighten the bolts or screws at the brackets. However, while executing the repair, if you find that the songs are badly damaged, replace them. garage door opener los angeles

    ReplyDelete
  6. Has your carport entryway started to misbehave and you are concerned that a simple carport entryway fix work won't be sufficient? All things considered, the uplifting news is, you don't need to totally supplant your carport entryway openers. You should simply to play out a couple of carport entryway fixes that will deal with your concern. Broken Garage Door Spring Replacement

    ReplyDelete
  7. Are you looking for a flooring option that is both stylish and durable? Vinyl Plank Flooring Nashville is perfect for you! Vinyl plank flooring is a type of flooring made from a vinyl sheet that is then plank-shaped. This type of flooring is very popular because it is versatile and can be used in a variety of settings.

    ReplyDelete