Preppy.

This pretty preppy link pattern on Jill Rosenwald’s pottery is making me want to put on some Lilly Pulitzer and have all of my linens monogrammed!  Seriously though, this summer I have been having a love affair with all things preppy. My enthusiasm for all that is pink and green was inspired by the release of True Prep, the follow-up book to The Official Preppy Handbook, which I already own.  I bought some preppy flops from Vineyard Vines, the official clothing brand of Martha’s Vineyard and purchased some monogrammed melamine plates from La Plates.  Now it looks like I’ll need one of these vases to complete my induction into preppy-land.

Can’t decide what to do with that blank wall in your living room? One of my favorite ideas is using interesting plates to jazz up your space.  I’ve seen some awesome examples of this idea lately that I wanted to share with you.

This first image is from Living Etc. magazine and definitely doesn’t fit under the heading “affordable options” as they are Hermes plates but I love it still:

Now this one is much more affordable and comes from Perch in New Orleans. They grouped a series of French Bull melamine plates together to create this kaleidoscope of patterns and colors.

Check out these rehabilitated plates from Brooklyn designer Sarah Cihat to create your own bold design.

Petals.

Is there a rule on how long you should live with the same dinnerware before replacing it?  We’ve been rocking the PB Sausalito dinnerware since we got married eight years ago and it’s beginning to look a bit tired and dated.  This gorgeous Oyyo Petal Series hand-painted porcelain dinnerware by Maria Lintott for Teroforma is on my radar as a potential replacement. I’m sure if I looked hard enough I would find that eight years is the perfect time to replace your dinnerware, right?

Bud.

I can’t get enough of these Moroccan inspired ceramic bud vases from Cynthia Vardhan. I love the unique shapes, the layers of pattern and the alternating colors.  I would love a whole collection of them on my mantel with a different color peony in each one!

Pretty pink things that struck my fancy today.

The Little Willow pet collars

Garnet Hill Lilly Pulitzer bedding collection

Port Canvas black duffel bag

May Luk ceramic Love platter

Calypso Alexa tunic

*Sigh* another lovely and talented ceramic artist to add to my growing list of pottery “wants”.  Bondi Beach Australia based Samantha Robinson uses a technique called decaling for her handmade collection of delicate porcelain designs. She uses vintage wallpaper, lace or any pattern or texture she finds inspiring  and then printing the image on tissue paper she transfers the design to her porcelain.   This technique gives her handmade designs a perfectly imperfect look which is what makes them so special to me.  You can contact Samantha directly if you see something you like and she hopes to be selling her wares online later this year.

Loving these simple retro ceramic mason jars from Heyday Design.  I can picture them on my windowsill filled with peonies or ranunculas in the Springtime.  Ohh Springtime you’re so far away from me, you’re so far I just can’t see.   Ah, but I digress. Sadly they’re only available in Canada right now but stay tuned for designer Claire Madill’s online shop coming soon.

(via Melissa @ Ruby Press)

Spotted on the blog Twig & Thistle, these oh so lovely cake stands from Clara French Ceramics out of Seattle, WA.  Dripping with pretty details in the softest pastels, they are just as luscious as the sweet confections they display.  They are available in three different sizes for purchase starting at $160 or you can rent them for your special event, a great way to have your cake and eat it too.

Aren’t these henna inspired porcelain vessels from Philly based designer Stephanie Kao beautiful? Stephanie collaborated with Robert Siegel Ceramics to create this line of porcelain ware. You can find her designs through her Etsy shop or through Art Star Gallery.

Check out this slideshow from CasaSugar for an affordable design trick, decorating with plates.  The least expensive way would be to use what you already own mixed together with some flea market finds. If you want something more matchy you could go with a set of plates from one of the designers shown below.  I’m eyeballing those abstract plates from Sydney Studios for one of the blank walls in our kitchen.  Here is some more inspiration for you:

Ninainvorm: Redecorated vintage plates

Lisa Neimeth: Hand formed clay tableware

Sydney Studios: Abstract plate series

Ashley G & Drew: Miniature porcelain artwork

Potter Nancy Bauch takes her inspiration from the imperections in nature to craft her black and white earthenware clay sculptures.  I like the drama of her volcanic black pieces contrasted with the fragile cracked and dotted looking white clay pieces.  Just like in nature their are no two patterns exactly alike these sculptures are all one of a kind.  See more of Nancy’s work through her online shop White Forest Pottery.

I’m loving the graphic black and white designs from these two very different Etsy sellers.

I’ve had a thing for crows ever since I went on a camping trip to Death Valley about ten years ago and a crow and I spent the day together and I was convinced he was my protector. Lets just say I was in a mind expanding state at the time. Anyhow, these lovely encaustic paintings by Frost Collections are a lovely reminder of the magic and myth that surrounds crows even if you believe the bad rap they got from Edgar Allen Poe.  Keep up with Marie, the talent behind Frost Collections, on her blog Wee Sweet Marie.

Who could resist the stunning peony and cherry blossom patterns on this beautiful vase and bowl by potterer Kristen K. Swanson.   All of the original designs are 100% hand made, hand painted, and hand carved by Kristen K. Swanson who is also available for custom orders.  Peonies will forever remind me of my friend Tia who has the greenest thumb of anyone I know and whose garden I can’t wait to see in full bloom this August.

Wannekes the name of the online shop based in the Netherlands translates to “the little things you want” I couldn’t have said it better myself. For starters if my last meal on earth had to be fresh baked bread dipped in olive oil, one of my favorite treats ever, then I would be thrilled to have this porcelain oil platter.  Or if I wanted to find out if a caged bird really sings I could splurge on this amazing hand forged bird cage inspired by the Versailles gardens of the sun King.  See more of this beautifully curated collection of unusual items from a host of talented designers here at Wannekes.

Spotted on one of my new favorite blogs Pikaland, are these adorable custom made ceramics from The Brick Kiln. Read more about them here and visit their Etsy shop here.

Small Bird Bowl ($62)

No Friday Giveaway today, instead the lovely and talented pottress Whitney Smith is offering a special discount to YOU my dear Frillows! Whitney is generously offering YOU 15% off through the end of June.  Here’s the deal: the items are available on her Etsy shop and must have a BIRD on them. In order to receive the discount please write “little willow” in the “message to seller” section.

I was given one of her bird pieces as a gift and everyday I get to enjoy its beauty and usefulness (it’s where I place my car keys so I don’t spend eternity searching through the bottom of my purse).  Her pieces make a memorable wedding present, as a gift for your Mom, best friend or as a special treat for yourself!  Here is a sample of the gorgeous pieces available to YOU!

Bird Cupcake Stand ($40), Small Bird Vase ($40), Large Bird Bowl in French Grey ($62)