Today, I’m delighted to debut a new feature category here on The Collected Room. Since my style and my design philosophy are all about collections, I am always interested in what others are collecting and what patterns they use on a regular basis. With that idea in mind, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my friends’ collections and china patterns with you. I also believe that a pattern says a lot about a person. For instance, whether or not they like color, what type of style (traditional or modern) they gravitate toward and perhaps even how they like to entertain (indoors, al fresco, intimate gatherings or large parties). I hope you’ll enjoy this new feature category and that you’ll share your own pattern with me in the comments section.
The Person: Tobi Fairley of Tobi Fairley Interior Design; Little Rock, Arkansas
The Pattern or Collection: Jadeite
Tobi has been a long-time collector of Jadeite in any pattern. Whether it is the classic restaurant ware that has a smooth, durable mold or a floral motif such as Fire King’s “Alice” pattern or McKee’s “Laurel,” (shown below) which was the first jadeite pattern.
Tobi uses her collection, too! She often brings it out for holiday gatherings or luncheons. She has even managed to incorporate some pieces into her design projects. In this room, she hung vintage jadeite plates to create bright wall art.
I hope you will be inspired by Tobi and the different ways she uses her beloved Jadeite collection. I also hope you’ll share your favorite patterns and collections with me.
Have a lovely day,
-Kathryn
Great post Kathryn! The great thing about jadeite is that it adds wonderful color to a room and is so readily found at flea markets at great prices!
Kathryn, My pattern? I have at least 40 of them. I keep an Excel spreadsheet inventory for insurance purposes. I do have favorites among my children, but could not possibly narrow it to just one pattern. French antique porcelains make my heart flutter. Any pattern from the 1790′s to today’s date. Second in line is antique English porcelains. I am not a big collector of pottery or earthenware as I like more formal and durable china. My style is all about the mix. Various patterns that go together because of color, size or style made decades or hundreds of years apart. Most weeks I post on my blog a tablescape and link it to Tablescape Thursday on the blog Between Naps on the Porch. If you want to see what other men/women are using today, this would be a major source. To see what I do, look at my Tablescape archives on my blog: http://swede.typepad.com/swede/
I took an interiors class from Tobi in Little Rock last year and blogged about it. I also have your book.
Summer
Pottery pieces are my weakness! I started collecting early Camark pottery, which is from my home state of Arkansas. I love all the earth tones and have expanded into collecting pieces from local potters when I travel. They each are unique, but all blend together nicely. Some pieces are decorative and others are great for serving.
Enjoyed the article! Terrie