As you know the main architecture of the farm was designed in the “Scandi Shaker Farmhouse” vibe which many of you are concerned is going to be boring and I get that (and generally I’m not worried). You see, I know that while “Victorian” and “Shaker” are literal opposites, that is exactly why I’m so drawn to them. Start with basic and layer on the wacky. Besides, we can’t just kill off Eccentric English Grandma. That wouldn’t be kind or even possible. No. She will be there, in very specific moments. So while shopping on Saturday mornings I’ve found myself searching for the following types of things, but they have to be done in a VERY specific way. Right now I’m not letting myself buy much of it because these are the things (IMHO) that are so much cheaper in person and I’m dying for the hunt. There are a billion antique malls that have loads of the below, waiting for me to uncover and why pay for shipping (and increase my footprint) if I can find in-person and have an excuse to shop. So for now I’m just dreaming and homing in on what versions of these I love. Also in grammatical breaking news, I just found out that it’s “homing” not “honing” which I vaguely remember some of you correcting but I didn’t listen because I thought there is NO WAY that it’s HOMING and not HONING. Turns out you “hone your craft” but you “home in on a target”. MIND BLOWN. I thought it was the same word (and still think it should be)! I will however spell “segue” as “segway” forever because it makes me LOL every time. Also, every time I see or hear the word “wicker” (which is A LOT) I repeat my friend Scott’s dad joke, “Wicker? I barely know her!”. So there’s that.
Tole
Now not all Tole is created equally, in my opinion. I love some of the Italian metal flower versions (like above), but don’t necessarily need to collect the ones that are just a red or blue metal shade with some painting on them. I skipped this metal lamp last week at the antique mall (for the same price as this one on Etsy) and I am sad about it, but not enough to buy this one (I think $175 is too steep). I could see it in Birdie’s room – I KNOW she would love it because she is obsessed with flowers (duh). But Tole is very specific, for sure, not for everyone and I know I just lost a few of you. I’m tempted to get this pair of lamps, but just wish they were half the price.
Ball And Stick Furniture
Otherwise known as “ball and stick fretwork” and while I don’t totally know the history, I love the playfulness. This tracks because I love polka dots and I love stripes, and Ball and stick fretwork is a playful combination of both. Now again, I don’t love all of it and it’s honestly hard to describe why some are awesome and some just not. But I’d take that stool in a second if it weren’t $500 + shipping. I feel confident that I can find a version of this at an antique mall for far less. There are some things I’m willing to splurge on, but a playful footstool is not one of them.
Victorian Wicker (Side Table Or Accent Chair)
Wicker???!! I barely know her! Now a lot of you who have followed for a long time have seen me don some wicker side table like that one from 2011. I wouldn’t mind more of that bit at the farm. It’s neutral enough with a heavy side of wack. And I wish SO BADLY that I hadn’t given away that coffee table (with drop leaves!) and of course the sofa and flag. I still have the pouf though 🙂
Delft Tile
If I were to find a decent amount of square footage I would 100% use it behind the range wall (still haven’t figured that out) or in the powder room. But it’s extremely rare to find more than 10 or 20 tiles that work together or are from the same lot, and usually, they are installed as a plaque. I’m still on the hunt though and enjoy looking for some hand-painted dutch blue and white old tile. Maybe I should commission a Portland artist to do a new EHD version of these? It’s one of those things that could go pretty wrong, but also could be amazing (like Jessica Helgerson’s kitchen with the hand-painted tile mural).
OH NO, Now I really want to do it. Anyone know any Portland artists that could do a 2021 EHD version of Delft tile for the range backsplash???? It can go cheesy so quickly but with the right artist it could also be so special and personal (drink! for those of you playing the drinking game every time I say “special”).
Ironstone
Years ago as I was an assistant stylist for magazines we rented or bought ironstone all the time for food shoots (mostly for Martha Stewart). After one shoot I had a platter with pretty scalloped edges that I kept for all my life (moved three apartments in NYC, then to Santa Monica, Los Feliz apartment, Los Feliz home, Glendale home, Los Feliz home, up to Portland). It broke in this last move in the garage as I was packing it for Portland and I RARELY get bummed about anything breaking as long it’s not my children, marriage, heart, or mental health but I was bummed about this one. So I’ve given myself permission to shop for some new platters and plates, mixing it with blue transferware (see below) to be my version of “china”. I’ve always loved the mismatched look when done right (which isn’t easy) so I’ll be collecting for a while (fine, twist my arm). Also, I googled my name with ironstone and found this post of me vintage shopping in Portland and I love it all still! Man, I wish The Flea hadn’t cost so much to inventory, pack, and ship or I would still do it (maybe pop-up markets in Portland?). It’s so fun to collect for a home, but after I’m done with this one I’ll need to scratch a new itch.
Transferware
Now I don’t need a $42 soap dish like the one above, but this is the type of transferware that I LOVE. Where there is some color but it’s more negative space than a big country scene. And I love the aging which keeps it from being mistaken as a faux shabby chic new platter. Since we aren’t really “salad plate” people I’m looking more for the little dishes, or lidded serving bowls, gravy bowls, platters, or of course dinner plates.
Victorian Fringed Lamps
I just got this on Portland Craiglist last weekend (haven’t seen it in person yet) and it MIGHT be a mistake, but where I’m picturing it (next to my floral chaise in our bedroom) I think it’s going to be pretty. Maybe it will end up in Elliot’s room (she LOVES it). Fun fact – doing 4-H growing up I made these victorian lampshades with calico fabric and ALL THE FRINGE. I wish SO bad that I had hoarded the ones that got the blue ribbon. The reason they are so expensive is that they have to be handmade and it’s very time-consuming (trust me). So if/when you see one for under $80 it’s a good deal (as this one was).
Opening Image Credits: Design by Beata Heuman | Photo by Paul Massey | via House & Garden
There is a lot of antique Delft tile available online. I just googled it. I love Delft tile. Twenty years ago I used it around my living room fireplace and I think it looks great. Of course there is reproduction tile and there are also blank ones to intersperse in a larger area.
Check Mainzu for tiles. This company manufactures many old style/handmade beautiful tiles in Spain, very affordable, I am sure they are exporters to the US. You can ask them for distributors in the US. Many of them really look antique-
I have seen Delft style tiles by Mainzu last year in a shop in Rota, Cádiz.
https://www.mainzu.com/es/descargas/catalogos
I love that stick and ball stool, and I think a little Delft could be very pretty. I’m afraid you’ve lost me with the tole and definitely with that lamp, which gives off Vincent Price movie vibes to me. Off to scour the internet for stick and ball pieces, though…
Just a cleaning hint… I have a stick and ball plant stand. It’s a dust magnet. A fluffy paint brush does the trick.
But doesn’t “homing” in make sense to you? It’s a homing pigeon – finding its way hone, just as you are finding your way to the right item for you.
Finding it’s way home – great place for a typo!
Well, I can’t say a thing with all my typos via dodgy, numb fingers…and an ex-English teacher at that!🤣 “Done is better than perfect”.
Its was correct! (But you knew that, right?)
Hilarious! It’s incredible to me how frequently this contraction is used incorrectly! Everywhere and especially among “journalists”. It’s not the possessive of it😂
I don’t think the error referred to was the apostrophe, but the pigeon finding its way “hone.”
I just bought Victorian wicker sewing table off FB Marketplace for $10 and have been using it as a bedside table. It has a hinged top where you can put all your sewing doo-dads, and bamboo legs that taper into what look like little deer footsies. I’m obsessed with it.
Ironstone is the greatest… As for the rest, well as long as you are happy… BTW I really don’t think its hard to to mix and match vintage dishes..I do it in the following way: 1. Pick your color schemes. One for main plates and a compliment for serving/ accent plates 2. Decide on a design concept- geometric, floral, birds, stoneware, colonial, stripes, whatever. Think of your dishes as exploring that design – whatever it is -though the decades 3. Whenever you want to buy new dishes at the thrift shop concentrate and imagine them set at a table with the dishes that you already own. 4. For cohesion wth plates try to buy sets or multiples if you can. Usually there are multiples of 3 or 5, not 4 or 6, because people give sets away when an item breaks. I am fine with that. So I do pinks and natural tones, light florals on mostly white or cream for plates, serving items the same, or white ironware, buttery yellow, or jade greens. I mix dishes from every decade-from the 30’s until 2020s along with some warm white contemporary as needed and it looks fine. Just realized that this… Read more »
I’m having trouble picturing your design concept. Which is fine. I like trying to envision it in your new space. I love the Mountain House with its wood and clean minimalism. I think if you don’t go too granny I will love it. But it’s your home and it needs to be right for you regardless of the blog. I think a modern version of Delft tile could be sooo perfect! That I can see working in your kitchen or a powder room. I especially think if it has a lot of negative space and maybe a grayish blue.
I love that lamp! I made a cat figurine lamp last year and got a fringed lampshade for it. It’s not everyone’s taste, but I love it. Also love those tiles. My parents bought a house near Seattle years ago from a family that had designed the house themselves. They were mid century artists who made their own tile for the bathroom. I loved that tile but my mom recently had it all ripped out and most couldn’t be saved (sob!).
Ok, I love this direction! Bring on the vintage quirk! The Mountain House is truly gorgeous, restrained, natural beauty but doesn’t make my heart sing as much as this stuff. I’ve been so enjoying following this project.
I believe Petra Palumbo makes a “new” delft tile and BDDW has some cool painted tiles. I have Delft on my fireplace though and got it off eBay. Can’t wait to see what you decide to do!
You’ll have to do a post about all these places you’re finding great things- later. I never have time to shop like that (or maybe it’s just not such a passion with me), but I love the Delft tile and hope you get something that works! And also love the ball and stick.
“I’m dying for the hunt”!! Yessss! I see you!
You had me LOL with the homing vs honing. Exactly!
Delft blue tiles in an EHD original design would be total “wack” wild original and truly put your stsmp on tgge farmhouse in a way like no other. Having studidd ceramics for yearrrrs at uni, any design can be easily handpainted on tiles as an underglaze with a clear glaze on top. Boom! 🌟 It’d be pretty hard to mess up unless the design was extremely detailed, but a few simple brush strokes = easy peasy. I soooo hope you do this!🤗
“Drink!” Bahahaha😅😂🤣
Hey! Did you know that Ironstone and Transferware both come in chamber pots?! Yeah, eeewwrrgghh, for some, but really, they make THE best plant pots!! They have a handle too, which is very useful and I’ve seen them used for so many purposes, besides pee n poo.🤣
Maybe EBTH and estate sales are a good bet for fringed lamps?
I like the edginess of these items and the quirk they’ll bring to the farmhouse, your farmhouse!
Please be careful of vintage dinnerware! Most contain lead.
https://lancasteronline.com/features/is-grandmas-china-toxic-tips-for-using-holiday-dinnerware/article_8840d856-695e-506a-b378-6a30c97eb48e.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/is-it-safe-to-eat-off-vintage-plates-66089830/
Good info. I wonder if vintage tiles contain lead too? Does anyone know? I really wouldn’t want that in a kitchen or anywhere that kids might touch the wall like in a powder room.
Thanks for sharing. I have some great vintage painted glasses that I worry about using, so I moved them to a display cabinet years ago. I’m going to read the articles you linked and maybe there are clues if I should continue worrying.
Love the idea of local artists creating Delft tile for you. Could combine with Birdie’s flower obsession too! Flowers from everywhere you’ve lived:).
Or….local, native wildflowers that grow on or near the farm, even?!!
Love this idea!
Em! As soon as I read “homing in” I was looking up ‘WHYYY isn’t it “honing in”.!#%!?’. And then returned to continue reading only to discover you feel as I do : ). This is a bit of what my search found: “What’s the difference between hone in and homing in? It is a very common, though, especially in the U.S. and Canada—so common that many dictionaries now list it—and there are arguments in its favor. Hone means to sharpen or to perfect, and we can think of homing in as a sharpening of focus or a perfecting of one’s trajectory toward a target. Home in vs. hone in – Grammarist grammarist.com/eggcorns/home-in-hone-in/ Which is the correct meaning home in or hone in? Home in is the more common phrase for figuratively or literally “finding and moving directly towards something.” Home can be verb, referring to “finding one’s way to a destination” such as “homing pigeons” and “homing missiles” do.” I find I am relieved to learn there are times when ‘hone in’ is in fact, the correct phraseology (as opposed to the word simply not existing and thus to find I had been entirely wrong my whole life each and… Read more »
MeToo! I probably still will use “honing” in. Ha! My word!
I’ve always thought the word hone as in sharpening was correct and “home in” sounds wrong to me. Haha
Pratt and Larson in Portland does custom tile work. But if you want handpainted tile, I would reach out to Portland’s Lonesome Pictopia. They are tremendous.
https://lonesomepictopia.com/murals-custom
I would love to see a hand-painted “delft” tile with plants native to Portland. How special that would be!
That’s what I said and some doof voted it down. Wot the?!
Well, I think we have a great idea 🙂
It’s honing.
What does honing the skills mean?
the act or process of improving or perfecting a skill, program, idea, etc.: In the third and fourth years the emphasis is on advanced training, with further honing of skills and attainment of competency. …
https://www.dictionary.com › browse
Honing Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
I managed to find some antique decorative delft tiles on etsy for above my range, and am planning to mix the decorative tiles with some plain ones from dutchtile.com, which sell new hand made in Amsterdam tiles. The plain ones and border ones are a very good match to the antique ones.
Came here to say this! I ordered delft tiles from them for my kitchen backsplash. They come from the Harlinger factory in the Netherlands, and there are WAY more designs available than they show on their website.
This is also a good source of vintage tiles:
https://www.regtsdelfttiles.com/
https://www.delfttiles.com/ Also found this. Emily we’ve got your back :)). !!!
Omigosh, I am very into this direction!!!!
Incidentally, we just moved to Portland into 1910 house. I am leaning hard into the eclectic vibe (Victorian/scandinavian). Victorian via FBMP, antique stores, etc! Scandi wallpaper and a good dose of IKEA. Sub motifs include Tulips! Plus Matisse! Plus child/baby friendly. The house has a very strong architecture (lots of molding, etc), so I think it can take it. Incidentally, I fell for this this Tole chandelier for our dining room and am so excited about it. Pic of house front and the chandelier. Front of house and chandelier: https://imgur.com/a/61KvJhM.
Have you looked into Portuguese tile makers? Their azulejos look a lot like the Delft tile. There are a lot of Portuguese tile artists out there!
Hi Emily, when you mentioned considering an artist for Delft Tiles, I immediately thought of Katarina Roccella—she designs fabric but also does lovely watercolors, and to me she strikes my favorite balance of feeling both fresh and vintage. Not sure where she’s located. Loved this article! Longtime fan here 🙂
I can’t wait to see how you pull off the intersection of the styles you are pursuing!–I know at the beginning of the project, you had mentioned you wanted to try to keep things serene, and simple–to get some of the vibe of the Mountain House that you had grown to love: lots of natural materials, and room for the eye “to rest” in the design–aka less stuff, both to look at, and to dust.
But, the recent posts on the powder room, vintage, shopping this post, etc. seem to me to be the complete 180 degrees from that–wow, those lamps! Wow, the fabric and the detailing!
If you are able to combine those two concepts, I will be amazed and delighted! Can’t wait to see how you pull this off–also, can’t resist asking–Is Brian cool with all the victorian stuff?
Waiting with baited breath for the reveal!
Check in with Meta Coleman…she often uses this style of tile AND she had some custom designed (or designed for herself?) for her home in Utah. So lovely, and would look amazing behind your range. Good luck!
My last name is van Delft which means from Delft (the city where all this is made). I have been dreaming of getting some of this for my home one day!
S L O W D O W N !
I love you, Emily, but the “Dad Joke” it is “Liquor? I hardly know her!!!” “Wicker” doesn’t even make sense.
Love Delfts blauw tile, love! But as you said, difficult to get hold of older tile in large quantities. So just sharing a bookmark in case the modern Portland take on delft tile doesn’t pan out – delfttiles.com are a Dutch company that make reproductions of vintage dutch tile designs on modern tile to traditional spec. And one question too – in an American late victorian-era house, why are you going for a 17th century Dutch style tile? Not a criticism, just curious!
Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates redid his colonial with loads of antique Delft. Looked good but also dark house and low ceilings so felt right. Didn’t know until then that are naughty versions of the tiles lol.
This is from a medieval hospice in Lille, France (Hospice de l’Comtesse). The male version is too risqué!
Oops, file size was too big!
Oh! I want to collect ironstone and transferware, too! I’ll come up to Portland to go on the hunt with you! 😉
So, I know this isn’t what you’re going for, but, the Makerista was looking for delft tiles (I think?) for a sink area, and was having a hard time sourcing them, so she ended up smashing a bunch of dinnerware and doing a mosaic. I know its not what you’re going for, but, I do think its beautiful! You can see it here: https://www.themakerista.com/the-playroom-reveal-a-place-for-rest-and-creativity/
Emily, I DM’d you about a platter and creamer and sugar that i would love for you to have. Only if you want it of course and I can figure out how to get it to you…and when i find it. I’ve been packed up for my move to a mobile home for almost a year so I honestly don’t know where it is at the moment. My flooring finally has started going in today. You have no idea. Actually maybe you do. Anyway the pieces are beautiful, old, 19th century I’ve been told, and not damaged so when I find them :/
I will share pictures and you can say yay or nay.
When reading the section about the delft tile and that you’re considering making custom ones – reminded me of a BBC show, “Escape to the Chateau”. The home owner designed her own images and used a heat transfer to apply to white tiles. It looked great when complete. This article is a little janky, but includes a video: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1444649/Escape-to-the-Chateau-Angel-Adoree-renovation-Dick-Strawbridge-refuse-tiles-10000/amp
I haven’t read through all of the comments, but Heirloom Art Co. has some beautiful and unique Dutch tiles. It’s a Mormon company and has lovely things!
If you want new Delft tiles there’s plenty of places in Delft Netherlands still making the tiles. Apparently, there’s also a place in CT that can make custom tiles.
Check out these sources.
https://netherlandsinsiders.com/delft-blue-pottery-10-questions-answers/
https://royaldelft.com/en/categorie/decoration/delft-tiles/
https://www.dutchtile.com/
and yes before anyone schools me I know Delft is not restricted to Delft NE (like “Champagne” is for sparkling wine made in France) and the style of tiles can be made anywhere.
I just saw a lot of high quality Delft tiles last time I was in Netherlands.
Yes delft tile. I have one I found thrifting on a trip that lives behind my everyday plates just propped up. Love it. My InLaws are into the Victorian and Arts and Crafts looks and have several of the Victorian lamps with fringe- my favorite have beaded fringe. Like stained glass (which they also have) the color glows and is especially nice in winter- though I’d dislike dusting them.
Good luck in the hunt- always fun to see what you’re finding.
Here’s another one for you – I’m not sure how you’re able to don a side table!😉
Check out Portland’s MakuMade for the hand-painted tile. Tempest knows her work well. And the “homing” vs. “honing” thing? Mind blown as well. And say hi to Anne at Arciform – they rebuilt my 1899 Victorian many moons ago.
Emily Isabella made beautiful delft tiles for her home! You can see some on her Instagram http://Instagram.com/emilyisabella
Angel Strawbridge from ‘Escape to the Chateau’ designed her own tiles and used a tile printer to transfer the image onto tiles. They were in a traditional style but personalised. V cool.
I fell in love with Delft tile and created a display over the fireplace in a antique farm house. Got the idea from a picture in Martha Stewart living many years ago.
My EH drinking game is “SO GOOD” because everyone on your team says it constantly about everything, LOL.
Just when you thought you had it down, Merriam Webster says that you CAN use “honing in” as well!
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/home-in-or-hone-in#:~:text=Home%20in%20is%20the%20more%20common%20phrase%20for,can%20%22home%20in%20on%20the%20answer%22%20for%20example.
That lamp!! I am so excited to see this stuff styled! What a rad direction. Also I am floored you used to make those. The craftsmanship looks unreal.
I sourced 9 antique delft tiles that I want to use in my kitchen backsplash but I don’t think that I want to do a plaque. Any ideas on how to scatter them?
I really think you need this vintage scallop plaid sofa for the farm and felt compelled to send it to you.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/941453343302054/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-7943179102407337514%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%2231569857190758555%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A31569857190758555%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A11%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A2865749724902719488%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00017618177829345%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A112%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-7943188448322474979%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%229128950118609846272%22%7D
Hi Emily,
For antique style tile, check out well known Portuguese tile manufacturers “Viúva Lamego”.
They have a big catalogue of old style handpainted tiles. I believe what you’re looking for is something like this: https://www.viuvalamego.com/en/handmade/traditional/18th-century-1st-half/
Excited to see what you come up with for the farmhouse!
https://www.viuvalamego.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/VL_Cat.pdf
Here’s the link to their catalogue!
I have a Tole chandelier I bought at a neighbor’s yard sale. It was hanging in his house when he bought it. It now hangs over my home office area 🙂 LOVE that lamp in the picture (but not the price!)
One more potential source for custom tile: Becca Jane studio. I love blue and white pottery and she makes a lot of it! https://instagram.com/beccajanestudio